North Carolina suspends 4 players for off-field altercation
By Phil Watson
North Carolina Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora announced Wednesday that four players have been suspended for Saturday’s season opener against Liberty, one day after a report of a hazing incident surfaced.
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WRALSportsFan in Raleigh, N.C., reported that cornerbacks Des Lawrence, M.J. Stewart and Brian Walker and safety Donnie Miles were suspended for what Fedora called “a violation of team policy.”
On Tuesday, Yahoo Sports reported there was a hazing incident at the team’s hotel during fall camp that left freshman walk-on wide receiver Jackson Boyer with a concussion after an altercation with multiple teammates.
"“We have very high expectations of team policies and they didn’t meet those expectations,” Fedora said Wednesday. “We are getting to a point (in the investigation) where I could make that decision (to suspend the players).”"
Fedora did not offer any additional details about the violation other than to say student affairs is conducting the investigation.
Lawrence and Walker were expected to start at cornerback Saturday, with Stewart listed as a backup corner on the depth chart. Miles was listed third at what the Tar Heels call the “Ram” position.
"“Any time you have some starters that aren’t going to play in the game, it’s going to affect the team,” Fedora said. “It will be an opportunity for guys that are backing them up to step up and make some plays. It will be a great time to see what the team does and how we respond to the adversity that we have created for ourselves.”"
North Carolina’s football program is still under NCAA restrictions stemming from an investigation into impermissible benefits, a probe that has been reopened. The school has a policy against hazing, but there is no defined punishment for violating that policy.