Kidnapping charge equals indefinite suspension for Temple’s Johnson

Saturday, it was reported that Temple defensive tackle Kamal Johnson (pictured, No. 93) was arrested and charged with kidnapping as well as multiple related charges. The other charges following an incident involving the player’s girlfriend included unlawful restraint, simple assault, false imprisonment, and reckless endangerment of another person.

Monday, the Owls hit the pause button on the lineman’s football career.

In a release, and while not specifically using the words “suspended” and “indefinitely,” the school announced that Johnson has been indefinitely suspended. Here’s Temple’s release, in its entirety:

Kamal Johnson, a student-athlete on the University’s football team, has been charged with criminal offenses involving another student.

Considering all of the circumstances, we deem it in the best interests of everyone involved that Mr. Johnson should not practice or compete with the football team until this situation is resolved. In doing so, we emphasize that we are not making a determination about his guilt or innocence – that is for the justice system. His status as a student and his scholarship status have not changed.

The University will continue to monitor the situation. When the charges are resolved or if circumstances otherwise change, the University will consider the matter further.

The charges and/or circumstances are rather significant/disturbing when taken at face value. According to the police report related to the incident...

...Johnson knocked on her door and when the woman answered, he forced his way inside. Johnson allegedly pulled the woman out of her apartment and forced her down the stairs to his apartment. Investigators say he then pushed her onto a chair and punched her in the back. Johnson then threw her onto the floor and she hit her head...

The junior had started the first two games of the season and has played in a total of three prior to his arrest.