Yikes.
Friday afternoon, Vanderbilt released a statement that four unnamed football players were suspended earlier in the week for violating team rules. However, the university also cited an “ongoing investigation”, indicating the reason for the suspensions was not your typical off-the-field issue.
That belief gained some traction when, a short while later, the Nashville Tennessean reported the four players were suspended amid a sex crimes investigation by Metro police.
“I can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit began an investigation on Wednesday in regard to a matter that was alleged to have occurred at a Vanderbilt University dormitory,” said Don Aaron, spokesman for Metro police, via the Tennessean. “Our sex crimes detectives became involved as the result of a notification to us on Wednesday from Vanderbilt University police. The investigation remains very much in progress.”
All other details of the alleged incident are unknown at this time. Six other student-athletes are under investigation as well, but no arrests in the case have been made.
“As additional facts become known, Vanderbilt will take further action, if and as warranted,” the statement reads.