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Jefferson, Johns suspended indefinitely from football team

Jarrett Lee will start season opener against Oregon

Published: Thursday, August 25, 2011

Updated: Friday, August 26, 2011 20:08

jefferson

CHRISTOPHER LEH / The Daily Reveille

LSU senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson leaves East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after posting bail. Jefferson has been suspended indefinitely.


7:21 p.m. -- Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee will start LSU's season opener against Oregon on Sept. 3, said LSU coach Les Miles on Friday.

Miles addressed the media on Friday night following the arrests of quarterback Jordan Jefferson and sophomore linebacker Josh Johns. Both players are suspended indefinitely and will not be allowed to practice with the team.

 

"Josh Johns and Jordan Jefferson are suspended until further information is brought to light," Miles said. "That suspension is indefinite. It's certainly a tough time for our team when they see a teammate in peril."

Miles said he did not get a chance to address the players personally to tell them of the arrests, but said the incident hit hard on the team.
 
"There was tears. It was hard on them," Miles said. "It took some time for them to understand what was going on. I'm sure this is devastating to [Jefferson] and his family, but it would be my guess they'll be able to recoil and stand tall and participate in their defense."
 
Miles said quarterbacks Zach Mettenberger and Stephen Rivers will backup Lee, who threw for 573 yards last season with two touchdowns and one interception.

"Jarrett just had a hell of practice," Miles said. "He really practiced well and he's really working to do things that he needs to do to help his team."

 

5:49 p.m. - LSU linebacker Josh Johns has hired Thomas Damico as his attorney, changing representation from Nathan Fisher, who has represented him and quarterback Jordan Jefferson to this point.

Johns hired Damico after Johns was arrested earlier today on charges of second degree battery.

"After an arrest is made I think it's important perhaps that each individual player possibly have their own legal representation," Damico told the Daily Reveille. "I think that's probably in their best interest. "

Damico said he is still in the process of gathering evidence and furthering the investigation.

"I don't think we have enough information at this point to form a strategy," Damico said. "We certainly take the stand that Josh is innocent of those charges. I'm surprised he was arrested based on the evidence I've seen so far."

 

5:18 p.m. -- Quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns have hired new council and will no longer retain attorney Nathan Fisher.

Jefferson has hired Lewis Unglesby and Thomas Damico will represent Johns.

Unglesby told Moscona of ESPN Radio that the Jefferson family contacted him around noon on Friday after he was booked and released from Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of second degree battery.

"These charges are very common," Unglesby said. "It's very common for the police ... to overcharge. I don't think they should have

Unglesby said he felt neither player should have been charged at all and denied reports of Jefferson kicking someone in the head.

"That's not true," he told Moscona. "It is in the arrest warrant but I say that's not true. The crime of which they have been accused probably could have been handled with a summons. If we took football away from this, it's just a bunch of young people arguing with each other."

Jefferson found out he was being arrested through a text message, Unglesby said.

"I am very impressed with the young man," he said. "He came here in a suit and tie. When he got his text message that the police were going to arrest him, his reaction to that was to go put on a coat and tie and go down to the police station."

The legal process could last into the winter, Unglesby told Moscona.

 

3:18 p.m. -- Police Chief Dewayne White and BRPD held a brief press conference to address the arrests of quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns. The transcript is listed below:

"Today is a sad day for the city of Baton Rouge. Today is a sad day for Louisiana State University, the LSU alumni and the countless fans that follow the Tiger football program. It is also a sad day for the Baton Rouge Police Department.

"The Baton Rouge Police Department, based on numerous interviews of witnesses, including victims and players implicated in the incident that occurred on August 19, 2011 at 1:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Shady's Bar on East Boyd, as well as video evidence of certain individuals, all of which were present at the scene and all of whom provided statements which corroborated in the culmination of sufficient probable cause to issue a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Jordan Jefferson and Mr. Joshua Johns for the crime of second degree battery.

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25 comments

Anonymous
Mon Aug 29 2011 13:32
As a former student of LSU, I was shocked that the team suspended the two players indefinately and am very happy. Regardless of who threw the first punch and why, there is one question that the media is ignoring: why were these players out of their rooms violating curfew? I am a bit sick and tired of hearing the following: the poor players were set up (especially Jefferson since he's black), they didn't throw the first punch, and my favorite they were defending themselves. Don't you think it would have never happened if they were in their rooms like they were supposed to be. This was not an incident that happened coming home from dinner and helping someone. They were not supposed to be out. Jefferson and Johns have no one to blame but themselves. Actually it would be nice if everyone who was out at the bar received punishment of some sort. This proves to me that Les Miles have absolutely no control over his team. But there is one thing that bothers me, why in the world would LSU football players get into trouble after what has happened to Ohio State and Miami in the past few months. Are they really that stupid.
Anonymous
Sun Aug 28 2011 16:16
reaaly les, really jordan, 49 pair of shoes! forget oregan game ncaa is thinking death penalty! what a circus lsu athletic department is running. sad alum
Anonymous
Sat Aug 27 2011 17:44
Would this conversation be happening if there were no athletes involved?
Anonymous
Sat Aug 27 2011 14:14
Everyone has a right to defend themselves!! But I hope that Jefferson feels that knocking that guy out was worth it!
Vol4life
Sat Aug 27 2011 13:51
I wonder if the NCAA will take an interest, and if they do, who knows, maybe LSU will be able to handle it like the Ohio St situation and view the Oregon game like a bowl, thus letting him play against the ducks and taking his suspension against Northwestern!
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 23:36
I just read where the police took 49 pairs of shoes from Jefferson's apartment. Sounds like he had a friend in the shoe business or a great shoe booster.
GUY TIGER
Fri Aug 26 2011 23:22
THE LSU FIGHTING TIGERS WILL PLAY HARD, PLAY TO WIN...ALL SEASON LONG, NO DOUBT, My point of view, just saying is..........Jefferson has never impressed me. If Jefferson, or all , or any of the other players act in a rude manner, then they do not need to play ball. End of story. LSU TIGERS NATIONAL CHAMPS.
jtgardiner
Fri Aug 26 2011 23:20
I think Les Miles was perfect with his decisions on this one. He waited until the police made their determination before he acted. Put the event aside, and let's go to Dallas and cheer for our beloved Tigers.
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 22:46
The victim was just some innocent guy out for a beer. COME ON! He was kicked out of the bar for starting the fight and waited outside to fight some more. Sounds like he asked for a fight and got one.
anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 21:56
I agree that the health and well-being of people are more important than football. However, I received my season tickets today from LSU -- I paid over $2K for my four tickets. I willingly pay that much, and for that price and for the stated goals of the athletic department (I can still hear Skip Bertman stating that if fans want championships, then they need to pay for that level of excellence), I expect a winning program. For the money that LSU charges for football, this is no amateur sport in the true spirit of the term. Everyone should recognize that. Big-time college football competes with the NFL for $$$$. Based on the prices LSU charges, LSU football is, for intents and purposes, a pro sports team in the true spirit of the term. Because of that, I am very disappointed in these events.
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 21:45
I think we need to pray for those CHILDREN, Jordan Jefferson and Joshua Johns...and we need to pray for the young MAN, Jarret Lee. We need to ask God to guide and lead each of them. We also need to pray for the victims of the alleged assault....that they are healed, physically and mentally....and we need to ask God for blessings for LSU.. GO TIGERS !!!!!!
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 21:05
I know the Jeffersons personally (the whole family) and I have a heard time believing Jordan Jefferson started this fight. He is a strong family person with good family values. If he was protecting this girl and was protecting himself from this idiot who got his butt kicked then more power to him! The bar management even said Jordan did not start this fight and the 'victim' was thrown out for bad behavior before this fight even started but because he is who he is he's catching the brunt of this which I'm sure is only because this so called 'victim' lost the fight. Everyone should hear all the facts before passing judgement!!!
LSU Fan
Fri Aug 26 2011 19:48
Miles waited this long cause he wasnt sure what happen. yeah someone got hurt really bad but i have been to bars like this and you see ex military guys trying to push there weight around. Is what they did right? Hell no Shoould they have been there? hell no. But you cant just think cause they are "Football players" they are bulleys. The fact swill come out and the truth will come out. But remember that Andrew guy was thrown out cause him being physical with a female at the bar. This is from the Bouncers of the Bar.
anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 19:06
why do athelics think they are above the law.....these 2 guys are role models for our children ! come on jefferson & johns, have a lil common sense. and beside they also broke their curfew........
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 18:55
I'm just disappointed that it took Les Miles that long to suspend him. Most other coaches would have suspended him outright from the beginning. Guess we know where his priorities are.
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 17:43
It really baffles me that several people were almost beaten to death and yet football seems to be the main concern. FOOTBALL. A game that is supposed to bring fun to the university. This is not fun. The LSU football players are treated like gods in Baton Rouge, they're actions are constantly covered up and overlooked. If I "threw a punch" at someone, would that give them grounds to beat me to death? OH WAIT, he was "defending" himself... riiighttttt. A 6'5'' 130 lb starting quarterback for LSU football. I am so sure.
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 17:15
Nothing good ever happens after midnight.......& who the DA is or is not has nothing to do with poor decisions made by others. UL Lafayette doesn't have a JD degree program.
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 17:14
LSU vs. Oregon, Sept. 3...the ultimate Dysfunctional Bowl Game
JJJ
Fri Aug 26 2011 17:13
The guy is threatening a woman and hit one of her female friends..he deserves a good beating..if that was my daughter I'd beat him some again. He is the typical hot-head that starts the majority of bar fights.
Anonymous
Fri Aug 26 2011 16:45
HONESTLY PEOPLE I AM WUITE SURE THAT JEFFERSON IS MUCH MORE WORRIED ABOUT HIS WELL BEING THAN "THROWING A DERN FOOTBALL" PRIORITIES PEOPLE PRIORITIES! THAT IS AMERICAS PROBLEM. IF I WERE HIM I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT IF THE TEAM IS GOING TO WIN THEIR FIRST GAME AND MORE IF I AM TO EVER BE A FREE MAN AGAIN! GET IT TOGETHER GUYS!






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