UPDATED 4:07 p.m.
CHAMPAIGN — A University of Illinois football player is being held at the Champaign County Jail on $100,000 bond following an arrest for aggravated battery early Sunday morning.
According to Champaign police, officers were called to the 600 block of East Daniel Street, Champaign, at 12:06 a.m. Sunday to respond to a report of a battery.
Police arrested Chris Jones, 20, who listed an address in the 400 block of East Chalmers Street, Champaign, for aggravated battery and took him to the Champaign County Jail.
According to a police report, Jones, a defensive tackle for the Illinois football team, allegedly struck two people, a 28-year-old man from Savoy and a 19-year-old man from Champaign, with his fist.
The Savoy man was struck on the right side of his eye. Police said he had noticeable swelling on the right side of his face.
The Champaign man had a cut lip on the inside of his mouth.
Neither man needed to be taken to the hospital, police said.
The victims said Jones struck them because of their sexual orientation. Jones told police the incident was retaliation for another fight a week earlier.
Reached on Sunday, Illinois Football Coach Ron Zook said he is investigating the situation. He said he won’t have further comment until he gathers more information.
This is unacceptable behavior! He should be able to control his anger in public and refrain from striking other people. Another embarrassment to the U of I team.
shoulda, wooda, coulda,,, he's a human, stuff happens, atleast they treated it as a real deal and not looked at him as a "special" above the law person ,, the coach has nothing to do with this,, he was not on any field or practice, if you get into a fight on the play gound, do they call your math teacher ,,they are adults, it has nothing to do with the "rep" of the great UofI,,, pay the fine, do the time like everybody else,,, his name should not have even been mentioned as a UofI fottball player
I understand what you are saying..
He has admitted to the altercation and should pay the consequences...
But having the privilege to wear the uniform comes with results when you do wrong..
UofI should suspend him.. and remove him from the roster..
There are alot of good players that would love to be in his shoes and be just as good..
what about the fact that he allegedly struck them because of their sexual orientation? sorry thats just sad. typical jock.
"Jones told police the incident was RETALIATION for another fight a week earlier"
That comment alone made by Jones is incriminating evidence.. He has just admitted to hitting the victims.. Unless there is proof of the supposed fight a week earlier.. Then that wont hold water...
And if there is proof.. That is not the way you are to handle an altercation.. There is a legal way to do so..
This is bad representation for the UofI football team and athletics department.. Players that have gotten into fights, stolen, and other illegal wrong doings normally get suspended from their team..
Of course if he is any good.. then lets pretend this didnt happen..(sarcasm)