| Oklahoma State suspends linebacker Collins for rest of season |
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| Written by Admin |
| Thursday, 08 November 2007 14:56 |
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STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma State suspended linebacker Chris Collins Jr. for the rest of the season Thursday after he pleaded guilty to a felony aggravated sexual assault charge in Texas earlier this week. A jury in New Boston, Texas, recommended five years of probation Wednesday for Collins, who pleaded guilty a day earlier to the aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. He's due to be sentenced Dec. 10, when a judge will determine whether to take the jury's recommendation and whether to make Collins register as a sex offender. ``Chris Collins will not play in the remaining games on the 2007 Oklahoma State University schedule. We will not make a final decision on his long-term status on the OSU football team until we have fully reviewed and considered this matter in the wake of what has happened this week, and had a chance to talk to Chris in detail,'' Marlene Strathe, the university's interim president, said in a statement Thursday. University spokesman Gary Shutt said Collins would be allowed to keep his scholarship and remain in school in the meantime. Collins, now 20, was one of four men charged following an after-prom party in May 2004, when he was 17. An affidavit indicated the girl said she could recall Collins being on top of her and kissing her neck, and contains a statement from one of the other men that he saw Collins and the girl having sexual relations. ``Chris remains with his family in Texas,'' Strathe said in the statement. ``Since arriving at Oklahoma State University, Chris has been a model student and we will continue to encourage and support him as he pursues his educational goals. ``We will withhold further comment until we make a final decision, at which time we will report it to the media.'' Collins had missed five games this season due to injury before returning Saturday to record five tackles in a 38-35 loss to No. 14 Texas. He had 31 tackles in five games this season. Last season, he was the Cowboys' leading tackler through six games before an injury forced him to miss the second half of the season. The Cowboys host No. 5 Kansas on Saturday. |
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