UPDATE 3:16 pm ET: Ohio State players have come to the defense of the University to refute McMurphy’s report.
https://twitter.com/PCampbell21/status/1062367796808638465
https://twitter.com/YoungKing_JD5/status/1062366442950193152
Meanwhile, Ohio State is considering legal action against McMurphy over the report.
https://twitter.com/Dan_Hope/status/1062415033819389953
Another bombshell report from Brett McMurphy has surfaced once again involving Ohio State, Urban Meyer and former receivers coach Zach Smith.
According to the report, Meyer tried to cover for Smith who allegedly used the n-word in a confrontation with a former player last season. That former player was receiver Trevon Grimes who ended up transferring to Florida after the reported confrontation between himself and Smith.
https://twitter.com/Brett_McMurphy/status/1062354866100682752
Although Trevon Smith has remained quiet on the alleged confrontation, Grimes’ Father LeBron has been quite vocal and has been the lead voice in McMurphy’s report.
Tuesday, Ohio State University denied the allegations while Smith also denied using the racial slur when he was contacted by McMurphy.
Via ESPN:
“The Ohio State University unequivocally and vehemently disputes the unfounded allegations by Brett McMurphy,” the statement said. “Any allegations of racism are outrageous and false. The university told McMurphy that we have found no evidence to support these allegations. Reporting in this manner is irresponsible, inflammatory and a severe invasion of privacy of a student athlete and his family as well as a baseless personal attack on Coach [Urban] Meyer. It is regrettable that McMurphy and his employer would use such poor judgment in running this inaccurate story.”
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith also released a statement coming to the defense of Meyer adding that ‘racism simply isn’t tolerated here’.
“The accusations made today by Brett McMurphy regarding our coach and the reasons for the transfer of Trevon Grimes are unequivocally false,” Smith said. “Urban Meyer embraces diversity and would absolutely never support an environment of racism. It simply isn’t tolerated here. And as an African-American, football player and collegiate administrator, I personally can say that our coaches, student-athletes and support staff know there is no place for any such behavior within our programs, at The Ohio State University or anywhere.”
Although Ohio State is denying the use or racial slurs and physical contact were used by Smith (or anyone for that matter associated with Ohio State football) the University doesn’t deny an altercation took place between Smith and Grimes.
And despite not speaking publicly now, according to ESPN Grimes did reportedly inform three other unnamed Florida players after his transfer.
After the confrontation, LeBron Grimes traveled to Ohio State personally to remove his son from the school.
Zach Smith made headlines this summer after another McMurphy report accused the former wide receivers coach of verbally and physically abusing his former wife Courtney which was seemingly corroborated by pictures. Courtney Smith also accused Urban Meyer or helping cover up the abuse which may have stretched all the way back to Meyers time with the Gators.
Like these accusations, Zach Smith also denied the abuse claims after he was ultimately fired by Ohio State in July.
