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On Wednesday, a report in The Tennesseean revealed a potential bombshell against coach Butch Jones and the Vols players.
The story detailed a new addition to the Title IX federal lawsuit against the university and its athletic program alleging the culture made women vulnerable to sexual assault.
Former player Drae Bowles, who eventually transferred to UT-Chattanooga, alleges that he helped one of the women who said she was raped. As a result, the suit alleges, Curt Maggitt punched and bloodied him in the locker room and Butch Jones called him a traitor.
Jones has strongly denied that allegation with public support from the university. On Thursday, speaking at the fourth-annual Vol for Life Career Night, several current players spoke about the accusations.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin with some candid words. pic.twitter.com/J9hnhiGJqx
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) February 25, 2016
Former UT Captain @MarlonTankWalls says Drae Bowles' story isn't true & "playing time" may have been a motivation pic.twitter.com/fiN2FaEtFS
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) February 25, 2016
Dobbs on the alleged victims: "Our hearts & our prayers go out to them. We understand the consequences of people's mistakes they've had."
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) February 25, 2016
#Vols RB Alvin Kamara: We have discipline here. If you miss a single class, ever, you’re in there running at 6 a.m., no question.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) February 25, 2016
#Vols QB Josh Dobbs: A lot of people are saying a lot of things about our program that aren't true.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) February 25, 2016
JRM on Drae Bowles: "I never was aware of him being attacked. He was a member of our team for the rest of the year. He went to the bowl gm."
— Patrick Brown (@pbrown247) February 25, 2016
#Vols consistently are acting as if they have absolutely nothing to hide. This is fascinating. They’ve gone YOLO. https://t.co/gVLE0IJv0l
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) February 25, 2016
Whatever happened during Bowles’ time in Knoxville, it sure seems like all the current players, administrators and coaches are issuing pretty strong denials.
This is a federal lawsuit, so it will take time to sort out. But it’s interesting that Tennessee is being so proactive.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
