Six football players at Central Methodist University have been suspended indefinitely in connection with an alleged assault of a teammate for being late to practice, with two of them being arrested.
According to a probable cause statement obtained by KOMU in Columbia, Missouri, the alleged victim told Fayette (Missouri) Police Department officers that he was beaten due to "a rule in place that when a football player is late for practice, you have to fight someone for repercussions of being late."
Kamarrion Ferguson, 20, and Michael Hourel Jr., 22, were charged with third-degree assault Monday, according to court documents obtained by KOMU. The other four suspended players were not named.
The victim was taken to an urgent care facility and was referred to a concussion specialist "due to the possibility of a brain bleed," according to court documents.
"The safety and well-being of this student is our highest priority," Central Methodist University wrote in a statement. "This behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with our United Methodist heritage and a campus culture grounded in respect and care for others."
Hourel, a senior linebacker and a team captain, told officers that the "fight rule" was implemented during a team meeting to address the lack of accountability for being late to practice, according to a probable cause statement obtained by KOMU. He told officers that the victim was late to practice last Friday, and Hourel decided to fight him himself. Hourel allegedly then hit the victim in the face, and after the victim fought back, Ferguson and other players joined in.
The university, an NAIA school located in Fayette, Missouri, also has started an investigation into the football program's "fight rule."
"Based on what we currently know, this was an informal 'accountability' arrangement among a small group of players, rather than an official team rule," CMU's statement said. "The investigation will establish how it originated and who knew about it."