Marshall University in West Virginia kicked their running back, Steward Butler, off the team for an alleged assault of a gay couple in Huntington, West Virginia.
From CNN
The victims, Casey Williams and Zackery Johnson, told police Butler stepped out of a car after seeing the men kiss. Butler "approached the two (men) shouting derogatory words" before punching each of the men in the face, the police report said. The victims captured part of the assault on camera and photographed the vehicle.
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"The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University. Period," university interim President Gary White said in a statement. "This is an extremely serious matter."
Assuming that the school saw enough to convince them that Butler did, in fact, commit the assault, it's appropriate that he was kicked off the team. Athletes are too often given a figurative slap on the wrist for behaving badly.
And, treatment has often been inconsistent. Jameis Winston was the first pick in the NFL draft despite allegations of a sexual assault. Ray Lewis was given 12 months probation for obstruction of justice arising from a murder investigation but received nothing from the NFL - other than being named MVP of the Super Bowl in the following year. Aaron Hernandez had a history of violence but it took an actual murder charge for him to be dismissed from the NFL.
So, kudos to Marshall for sending the message that a violent hate crime is going to have serious consequences.