College Football Player Says Coach Called Him A Traitor For Helping Rape Victim
Former University of Tennessee football player Drae Bowles had a tearful breakdown after head coach Butch Jones allegedly called him a traitor for helping a woman who accused two of his teammates of rape.
That is the latest and most shocking allegation that has come from an increasingly serious, six-plaintiff lawsuit that has been hanging over the university.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed by six women who all allege that the University of Tennessee corroborated an environment that intimidated rape victims and protected sex offenders (particularly those who play sports), Jones later called Bowles back to apologize for calling him a traitor.
Another allegation included in this latest round of filings, reported by The Tennessean Wednesday, is that Bowles' conversations with Jones took place after he was punched by former teammate Curt Maggitt, who is accused of intimidating Bowles.
The backstory
All of these accusations are included in the monster suit that has rocked the athletic department at the university's Knoxville campus, and has brought multiple stories and accusations into the spotlight. Two of the most notable accusations? That former Tennessee standout and reigning Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning sexually assaulted a female trainer during his days on campus and, more recently, that Bowles was bullied after helping the female student athlete who accused two football players of raping her.
Now, with this latest bombshell, it seems a foregone conclusion that Jones would have to go if the accusation is proven true.
The unavoidable irony in all this is that these findings have been reported just days after officials from Tennessee Athletics made a vocal statement defending the culture at their school.
As Travis said, Bowles' side of this particular story is just an allegation in a lawsuit, for now, but if it becomes more than that, Tennessee's culture will have some big changes coming. And it'll likely start with the head coach.
