Marshall RB Steward Butler kicked off team for attack on two gay men, An attack on two gay men has landed Marshall University running back Steward Butler in some hot water with both the law and the university. According to a May 6 report by FOX Sports, Butler was charged for the beating and was also released from the team. Prior to the dismissal, he was suspended indefinitely.
The incident in question happened on April 5 in Huntington, West Virginia. Detective Chris Sperry of the Huntington police reported that criminal complaints were filed that Butler got out of a car after seeing the two men kissing on the street and allegedly began shouting anti-gay words at the couple before punching them. Sperry also reported that one of the men took a video of the attack with his cellphone, which was turned in as evidence.
Butler was arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery counts and released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond, but was also released from the team and his athletic career at the university as the case has been turned over to federal authorities for review of possible civil rights violations.
The swift action from Marshall University sent the message that the school will not tolerate such violations from any of their students, including athletes. Both athletic director Mike Hamrick and coach Doc Holliday agreed to the dismissal after further details were released about the incident. University interim president Gary White released the following statement:
“The entire university community is shocked and disappointed to learn the details surrounding the alleged actions that led to Mr. Butler’s arrest this morning.
The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University. Period. This is an extremely serious matter.”
An LGBT advocacy group, Fairness West Virginia, applauded the actions from the school, stating that there “is no place for violence or intolerance in any community in West Virginia. Steward Butler was Marshall’s second-leading rusher last season with 798 yards and seven touchdowns and was forecasted to be a major contributor next season.
The incident in question happened on April 5 in Huntington, West Virginia. Detective Chris Sperry of the Huntington police reported that criminal complaints were filed that Butler got out of a car after seeing the two men kissing on the street and allegedly began shouting anti-gay words at the couple before punching them. Sperry also reported that one of the men took a video of the attack with his cellphone, which was turned in as evidence.
Butler was arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery counts and released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond, but was also released from the team and his athletic career at the university as the case has been turned over to federal authorities for review of possible civil rights violations.
The swift action from Marshall University sent the message that the school will not tolerate such violations from any of their students, including athletes. Both athletic director Mike Hamrick and coach Doc Holliday agreed to the dismissal after further details were released about the incident. University interim president Gary White released the following statement:
“The entire university community is shocked and disappointed to learn the details surrounding the alleged actions that led to Mr. Butler’s arrest this morning.
The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University. Period. This is an extremely serious matter.”
An LGBT advocacy group, Fairness West Virginia, applauded the actions from the school, stating that there “is no place for violence or intolerance in any community in West Virginia. Steward Butler was Marshall’s second-leading rusher last season with 798 yards and seven touchdowns and was forecasted to be a major contributor next season.
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