Mark Stoops clarifies suspended Kentucky players return timeline

University of Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops spoke on Monday about the reinstatement of his six players that were suspended during an investigation. The Kentucky players were involved in a fight at a fraternity that led to criminal charges being filed against them.

All six of the players involved were cleared by the school’s internal investigation and allowed to return to practice. Stoops clarified to reporters that they actually rejoined the team over a week ago.

Mark Stoops on suspended Kentucky players returning

“The last time I touched base with you about this I mentioned that I would let the process play out,” Stoops explained about his players being cleared to play this weekend. “That has played out and we’re glad to welcome the players back to the team to be eligible to play this weekend.”

Stoops further clarified that the players actually resumed practice last week in anticipation of their return, to accelerate their readiness.

“They did return to practice activity last Monday so they’ve been at it over a week now. They were still not cleared to play last weekend but we let them get back. Part of that was we knew they had a hearing coming up and wanted to get them time to get back into shape — there’s so many practices you have got to have in helmets and shoulder pads and so on. So we got through that process.”

“Thank you to the grand jury for doing the due diligence and doing the work,” praised Stoops about the investigators involved. “We appreciate that and again we’re glad to have the players back.”

Report of the incident

Though the incident occurred in March, charges weren’t filed until August 19. The UK Office of Student Conduct cleared all six players from any wrongdoing in June. All six were charged with first-degree burglary charges, with Vito Tisdale also charged with wanton endangerment for allegedly brandishing a firearm.

The players plead not guilty to the burglary charges and waived their right to a preliminary hearing in Fayette District Court. The case was then sent to a grand jury.

Documents were obtained earlier this month from the university that included a letter from one of the players to the UK Office of Student Conduct. The player, whose name is redacted, claims that he and his teammate faced racial slurs at the party and feared for their lives.

“I completely and undoubtedly deny any allegations that I threatened, harmed or caused any harm to anyone at this party that night,” the player wrote in a letter dated April 20. “I was the victim of a ‘hate crime’ that I will be following up and filing charges with the city of Lexington soon.”

In the letter, the person describes a young lady screaming “get these fu[redacted] N[redacted] out of here,” with more than a dozen other guys coming up to them, pushing them and calling them “black a[redacted] N[redacted]”, “P[redacted] a[redacted] N[redacted]” and more.

“This was a very traumatic experience for me, something I never had to endure in my lifetime,” the player’s letter stated. “All I could think about is my life and getting out of that house.”