The University of Minnesota has indefinitely suspended 10 players from the Gopher football team for breaking rules.
The U of M did not specify what led to the suspensions, saying “Due to privacy restrictions relating to student educational data, there is nothing further the University can share.”
Gophers indefinitely suspend 10 ahead of bowl game for violating team rules – ESPN https://t.co/rl2vFOVwA4 – #UofM pic.twitter.com/0Z3PDj3UzN
— Univ. of Minn. News (@UnivMinnNews) December 14, 2016
According to several media reports, the 10 suspended players are: Ray Buford, Carlton Djam, KiAnte Hardin, Dior Johnson, Tamarion Johnson, Antonio Shenault, Kobe McCrary, Mark Williams, Seth Green and Antoine Winfield Jr.
Wednesday is the last day of the university’s fall semester. The Gophers, who finished the regular season with an 8-4 record, are getting ready to travel to San Diego for a Dec. 27 matchup with Washington State at the Holiday Bowl.
The Pioneer Press says head coach Tracy Claeys is in San Diego for an event promoting the Holiday Bowl, so the offensive and defensive coordinators will lead Wednesday’s practice and speak to reporters afterward.
BREAKING: 10 @UMNews football players are suspended. https://t.co/etQuyhDRkx @WCCO
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) December 14, 2016
This is the second suspension of the season for four of the Gophers. Ray Buford, KiAnte Hardin, Dior Johnson, and Tamarion Johnson were suspended during the investigation of a sexual assault allegation in September.
When prosecutors decided not to press charges, the players were reinstated to the team. But the alleged victim, who was part of the game day staff at the Gophers’ stadium, had a restraining order against them. It was dismissed as part of a settlement on Nov. 2.
