Earlier this year, Rutgers was caught up in a bullying scandal with head basketball coach Mike Rice. Some seven months later, they’re dealing with yet another case of bullying in their sports program.
Cornerback Jevon Tyree quit the football team earlier this month for unspecified reasons. Now, he is coming clean, explaining that “an outright bullying episode” is what led to his departure, according to NJ.com.
Tyree, 19, said that defensive coordinator Dave Cohen bullied him during a study-hall session in April — the same month Rice was fired, calling him “emasculating names” and even threatening to headbutt him after the cornerback missed a week of spring practices with a hamstring injury. The school claims that Cohen apologized the next day and the situation was “dealt with immediately,” but Tyree and his parents don’t view it quite the same way, claiming the school only decided to speak with the family after the Tyrees requested a meeting with head coach Kyle Flood.
Tyree agreed to remain with the team, even after the incident. The redshirt freshman says he felt ostracized by the team, though, as he got fewer reps in practice and was even excluded from some team meetings. The situation finally came to a head on Nov. 2, when coaches chose to play a wide receiver instead of Tyree at cornerback, a position where depth was waning.
Tyree and his parents have sought disciplinary action against the school, even saying they believe the coach should be fired for his actions. Tyree is still attending classes at Rutgers, but he plans to transfer and continue his football career elsewhere.
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Photo via Facebook/Rutgers Football
