The Penn State football team off to another fine season, back in the national spotlight.
As we’ve seen over the years, that spotlight can follow players off the field as well.
Earlier this year, we heard about an incident involving one of the star players, where a punch was thrown, and charges filed.
What really happened, and what was the follow up?
Number 84 for Penn State is Theo Johnson.
He’s one of the Nittany Lions team captains this year and highly regarded as a tight end.
“I’m a big believer in the tight end position in college football as being a differentiator now in college football,” said Head Coach James Franklin during a routine press conference.
The controversy surrounding Johnson began back in February at the Sigma Chi Fraternity in State College where Johnson got into trouble that drew a lot of attention due to one punch.
What happened?
In video of the event, Johnson wearing a black hoodie, enters the fraternity party area with friends,
The fraternity member Johnson eventually punched is nearby, at the gate.
Johnson enters freely with no problem.
Within a few moments, there's a dispute.
According to the victim, its due to Johnson not wearing a wristband to get in.
What resulted led to Johnson being charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, which led to a separate controversy.
The Sigma Chi Fraternity provided 6 News with a statement:
"The primary concern of our fraternity rightfully rests on a member of our chapter who was assaulted on private property during a private event. The chapter and its members have been providing as much support as possible to the injured member and we are grateful for their efforts."According to the State College Police Department criminal complaint, the victim says Johnson punched him in the face after he questioned Johnson not having a wristband and Johnson refusing to leave the party.
But what sparked the punch by Johnson?
A Penn State Student Affairs office review mentions Johnson allegedly being spit on right before the punch. Immediately after the punch, it appears to be a rugby scrum, with others joining the scuffle, and Johnson backing up and eventually climbing over a fence to get away.
Some felt Johnson should have been charged with a felony, but the prosecutor in the case, Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna disagreed telling 6 News, "after reviewing video tapes of the incidents, our office concluded that a reduction of the charges to simple assault by mutual combat more fairly reflected the incident in its entirety.”
Afterwards State College police body cam video shows the officer interview of the victim, who first says he doesn’t need to be hospitalized.
The victim is eventually hospitalized with a concussion. Here's an update on his condition from his attorney:
"He is still having significant issues with migraines. This is a particular problem when he has to focus (such as studying for exams) and when he is working on a computer."Theo Johnson meanwhile continuing to play, hauling in two touchdown passes against UMass.
“So, you know it’s good to be more involved in the game plan and add more value,” said Johnson is a post-game interview. “I’m hoping to do just that.”
This past summer, Johnson was sentenced in Centre County court to six months of ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) which will allow him to clear the charges from his record.
Penn State athletics issued a statement: "We are aware of the result of Theo Johnson’s case. These alleged actions do not reflect the values and standards of our programs and have been addressed.”
And Theo Johnson had another touchdown catch on Saturday in the game against Indiana. For the season he remains one of the Nittany Lions top receivers.
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