WINSTON-SALEM, NC (WWBT) -
Five Virginia State University football players reportedly beat up the starting quarterback of the team they are set to play against Saturday in the CIAA Championship game. However, VSU's head football coach called the report untrue.
The players got in a fight with Winston-Salem State University's Rudy Johnson Friday afternoon, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
The two teams were attending the CIAA football banquet at WSSU when they got in the fight in a bathroom at the Anderson Conference Center.
"We don't know a lot of what happened but we do know our starting quarterback, Rudy Johnson, was beaten up," WSSU Chancellor Donald Reaves told the newspaper, "and he didn't beat himself up."
The Winston-Salem Journal reports Johnson was taken to a hospital and released. They say he is now unlikely to play in the game.
VSU head football coach Latrell Scott says the reports that five individuals involved are not true. Scott says just one single player Virginia State player was involved in the incident. NBC12 is investigating the allegations in this developing story.
The CIAA released this statement about the incident:
"We understand that some Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University student-athletes were involved in an incident during the time of today's luncheon event. The police are currently investigating the incident and are speaking with the individuals involved. Leadership from the CIAA and the participating institutions are fully cooperating. Further details and updates regarding the status of the championship game will be forthcoming."
WXII, the NBC-affiliate, reports Johnson was hit in the eye. There is no official word yet on whether the championship game will be canceled.
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Rudy Johnson (Source: WSSU)
