Bobby Petrino in hot water at Louisville over handling of rape accusation against player
Louisville is currently 2-5 on the season and 0-4 in ACC play, leading to much speculation about coach Bobby Petrino’s future. However, it’s starting to look like on-the-field performance may take a backseat to Petrino’s questionable handling of a serious off-the-field matter.
At the beginning of this week, The Louisville Courier Journal ran a story titled “Louisville football player accused of rape days before appearing in game.” The headline is accurate. A 20-year-old Louisville student filed a report on Oct. 9 accusing Louisville football player Kemari Averett of raping her in August. The Cardinals had a game on Oct. 13 in which Averett played.
Making the situation worse for the school and coach Bobby Petrino is that Averett was arrested on Oct. 15, two days after playing in the game, for holding a gun to a different woman’s head.
Petrino and Louisville AD Vince Tyra both gave statements on the matter after the Courier Journal’s report was published.
If information comes out to show Petrino knew of the Oct. 9 report and accusation when playing Averett on Oct. 13, the long-time coach may find himself out of a job.
Vince Tyra spoke in response to the allegations of rape against Kemari Averett, brought days before Louisville played him in a game. He said he was not aware of that accusation before the game. More to come.
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) October 25, 2018
Statement from Bobby Petrino on the rape allegation against Kemari Averett: “Kemari was already suspended from all team activity due to the incident on Oct. 15 when I was notified of the most recent charge against him. He remains on suspension from all football activities and …
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) October 25, 2018
“… facilities while an investigation is conducted. I take all charges of misconduct seriously and act swiftly when conduct does not meet our expectations.”
— Jake Lourim (@jakelourim) October 25, 2018