We know that many Chattanooga fans of University of Tennessee football make the 100-mile drive northeast of here to attend games during the season. One of the players expected to contribute in the upcoming season might be absent, however.
Junior defensive back Kenneth George Jr. has been suspended from the team indefinitely after his recent arrest on charges that he struck a police officer while on spring break in Florida. George is facing allegations that include battery on a police officer, resisting an officer with violence, resisting a police officer without violence and disorderly conduct.
While many might view the charges as pretty typical charges that a college student might face, it’s worth noting that two of the charges are felonies.
Volunteers’ head coach Jeremy Pruitt said George has been suspended “until we gather more information and let it run its course.” He said the team and school “support all law enforcement” but that the team is “going to support Kenneth through this, and we’ll see where it goes.”
George hails from Louisiana, but transferred to UT from a community college in Texas. He played in four games last season.
According to a USA Today article, a Miami Beach police officer saw George walking in a street around 3:30 in the morning. When the officer got out of his vehicle, the football player yelled at him and ignored directions. When the officer tried to steer George onto the sidewalk, the player allegedly struck the cop and then ran.
Other officers then pursued and caught George.
Parents of college students in these types of situations should contact a Chattanooga criminal defense attorney experienced in protecting students’ rights and futures.
