Ohio State Fights Back Against Report That Player Transferred After Ex-Coach's Racist Remarks
Former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith is back in the news again, although this time those affiliated with the university are sticking up for him.
College football reporter Brett McMurphy, who broke the news about coach Urban Meyer’s knowledge of Smith’s domestic abuse allegations, reported Tuesday on Stadium that Smith also hurled a racial slur at a former Buckeyes receiver.
According to McMurphy, Smith called Trevon Grimes a “b—- ass n—–” during a practice altercation last year, and Grimes transferred to Florida shortly thereafter. McMurphy’s sources included Grimes’ father and current teammates.
However, Ohio State and several members of its football team are strongly disputing the report.
While they acknowledge that an altercation took place, the players say no racial slur was levied by Smith.
Trevon Grimes was my best friend back then… and is still my best friend to this day. This report about “racially-charged practice altercation” is 100% false. Not a single player or staff member would have allowed this to happen. https://t.co/6wLZN8ASWX
— TATE MARTELL (@TheTateMartell) November 13, 2018
I witness the whole altercation and this didn’t happen.. You think a group of African American young men will sit there and let something like this happen? Say what you want but this isn’t true at all. https://t.co/FrteEDIa9H
— Johnnie L. Dixon III (@YoungKing_JD5) November 13, 2018
Ohio State issued a statement saying the university “unequivocally and vehemently disputes the unfounded allegations by Brett McMurphy. Any allegations of racism are outrageous and false. The university told McMurphy that we have found no evidence to support these allegations.
“Reporting in this manner is irresponsible, inflammatory and a severe invasion of privacy of a student athlete and his family as well as a baseless personal attack on Coach Meyer. It is regrettable that McMurphy and his employer would use such poor judgment in running this inaccurate story.”
Meyer said Ohio State is considering taking things further. He told Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors that the university is “certainly looking into legal action” against McMurphy.
The report is another in a season of controversy for Meyer, and it puts him in a bad light.
“The truth, LeBron Grimes says, is this: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer knew of assistant coach Zach Smith’s alleged racially-charged altercation in September 2017 with his son Trevon and helped keep it quiet,” McMurphy wrote.
Stay down, Stay true… Watch God Bless you ?? pic.twitter.com/iAfT90XEmZ
— GrimeTime™ (@Trevongrimes8) July 28, 2017
Ohio State University president Michael Drake suspended Meyer for three games for his involvement with Smith’s domestic violence situation, but Drake is siding with Meyer on this issue.
We stand by @OSUCoachMeyer and strongly refute the reported allegations. https://t.co/zra6D7u66s pic.twitter.com/yHqd18AsKH
— Michael V. Drake (@OSUPrezDrake) November 13, 2018
Smith denied ever using a racial slur, while Grimes declined to comment to McMurphy.
His father, meanwhile, followed up his interview with McMurphy with a Facebook post indicating there might be much more to this story.
LeBron Grimes, the father of Trevon Grimes who was Brett McMurphy’s main source for this morning’s story, just took to Facebook and just opened up a whole other side to this thing. pic.twitter.com/jIyY2iMPf4
— James Grega Jr. (@JGrega11) November 13, 2018
For his part, Trevon Grimes is now back playing in his home state of Florida for the Gators, and he ranks third on the team with 17 receptions.
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