Sports

Dabo Swinney Didn’t Always Have “Zero Tolerance” For CDV

DeANDRE McDANIEL CASE RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEMSON COACH’S TRUE COMMITMENT … By FITSNews  ||  Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney is getting all sorts of love this week after announcing that his Tiger football program – which as we all know is full of only the Godliest of players –…

DeANDRE McDANIEL CASE RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEMSON COACH’S TRUE COMMITMENT …

By FITSNews  ||  Clemson University head football coach Dabo Swinney is getting all sorts of love this week after announcing that his Tiger football program – which as we all know is full of only the Godliest of players – has “zero tolerance” for domestic violence.

During his weekly press conference Swinney – whose Tigers (1-1, 0-0 ACC) are set to take on No. 1 Florida State this weekend – addressed the issue by referencing abuse he suffered at the hands of his alcoholic father.

“I can’t tell you how many times as a kid I was thrown in a car and driven off to go to sleep in a car somewhere, or knock on somebody’s door and find a place to spend the night,” Swinney said.

Swinney’s statements were roundly praised by advocates … who are hoping to highlight the issue in the wake of the National Football League’s Ray Rice controversy (more on that HERE, HERE and HERE).

“Not a lot of men are willing to speak against domestic violence,” one advocate told Fox Carolina. “It’s important that men do that.”

Agreed. But is Swinney shooting straight?

Does his program really have “zero tolerance” for domestic violence?  Let’s take a closer look at that statement …

DeANDRE McDANIEL
DeANDRE McDANIEL

In June 2008, DeAndre McDaniel – a 6-foot-1, 218-pound defensive back for the Clemson football team – was arrested on charges of aggravated assault against his girlfriend.  According to police, McDaniel covered his girfriend’s face with a comforter, choked her, punched her in the head and chest and then shoved her down a flight of stairs, causing “serious bodily injury.”

Unlike most people who are accused (falsely or not) of violence against women, McDaniel was permitted to participate in a pre-trial intervention program – and his arrest record was wiped clean.

He was also reinstated to the Clemson football team.

Swinney was not the head coach at Clemson in June, 2008 – but he was an assistant, and he took over the reins of the program four months later after Tommy Bowden resigned following a 3-3 start to the 2008 season.

McDaniel – then a sophomore – not only remained on the team after Swinney took over, he went on to become one of its star defensive players over the next two seasons, tying a school record with eight interceptions in 2009.

We know what Swinney will probably say … that the decision to keep McDaniel on the team was not his, it was Bowden’s.  And that once the decision was made, he had no choice but to honor the commitment made by his predecessor.

At least that’s what we would advise him to say were we employed by Clemson’s media relations office …

But even if you assume all of that to be true, does this still count as “zero tolerance?”  Or is it “zero tolerance” unless it means getting rid of one of the Tigers’ best players?

Hmmmmm …

“McDaniel’s (pre-trial intervention) was ongoing when Swinney took over,” one of our sources said. “Why (was) DeAndre left on Dabo’s roster for the 2009 and 2010 seasons if he has zero tolerance for domestic violence? Dabo contradicts himself.”

Despite his impressive collegiate career, McDaniel was not selected in the 2011 NFL draft – although he did make the practice squad for three NFL teams, the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers.

Another violent altercation involving a Clemson football player and his girlfriend occurred in 2011 involving Tigers’ wide receiver Joe Craig.  Swinney initially suspended Craig for one game, although Craig was later held out for three games.

The following year he was dismissed from the team following a separate criminal domestic violence arrest involving a different woman.

He’s learning there are consequences for your actions,” Swinney said at the time. “I think he’ll learn from it greatly. I think he already has. He’s done all the things he’s needed to do from the university standpoint.”

Swinney has posted a 52-24 record in five-and-a-half seasons at Clemson.  He is only 1-5 against arch-rival South Carolina, though – including five consecutive losses to head coach Steve Spurrier‘s squad.

RAPID REACTION

Banner Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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64 comments

Ouch September 17, 2014 at 3:17 pm

Investigate Joe Craig too. It is worse. And Swinney certainly had tolerance in his case.

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Just another guy September 17, 2014 at 3:41 pm

Yep. Craig was kicked off, but it took him beating 2 women (1 of them twice with a towel rod) before he was kicked off. What a joke.

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CNSYD September 17, 2014 at 3:20 pm

In typical fashion, Sic Willie uses convoluted “logic” to attempt to trash Swinney. Sic Willie hates Swinney for many reasons. First and foremost he is the coach at Clemson. In close second is Swinney’s religious beliefs which Sic Willie abhors (religious freedom not withstanding). Somehow Clemson must be responsible for Ebola, ISIS, etc. Isn’t everything wrong in the world the fault off Clemson to hear Sic Willie tell it.

Glossed over by Sic Willie’s “sources” aka the voices in his head, are the decisions that were made by the administration irt McDaniel BEFORE Swinney was head coach. What part did McDaniel’s attorney play in the decision? Well research has never been Sic Willie’s long suit.

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Truthwnoorangeglasses September 17, 2014 at 3:57 pm

If the truth hurts, live with it. To be zero tolerant Sweeney should have released this guy from the team. And, Joe Craig was allowed to continue on the team for a YEAR after hitting a woman with a towel bar!
Give it up, Sweeney is not the saint everyone thinks he is. He kept McDaniel because he needed him.

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CNSYD September 17, 2014 at 4:25 pm

As stated already Swinney has bosses. Those bosses had already made decisions, before Swinney was made head coach, after talking to McDaniel’s attorney. What’s hard to understand about that?

Joe Craig was removed from the team after his arrest for CDV. The first alleged incident did not result in an arrest as neither party would swear out a warrant on the other. Since LE had not observed the alleged incidents and the individuals refused to testify against each other, there was nothing for LE to do. Now Swinney could have suspended him anyway, but attorneys would jump on that and lawsuits would be filed.

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nitrat September 17, 2014 at 4:32 pm

LE doesn’t have to observe the ‘incident’; if that applied to all crimes, no one would ever be arrested for anything.
As I recall, they do – or, at one time did – have to see an injury in CDV cases to act when the victim won’t press charges. Sometimes cops have personal opinions that override the enforcement of the law in these cases. Same goes for child abuse.
But, I am open to correction on all that.

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CNSYD September 17, 2014 at 4:42 pm

You miss the point. It could not be classified as CDV as there was no existing relationship that would qualify as “domestic”. Sure cops can have “personal opinions”. defense attorneys love those.

SOSownsDABO September 17, 2014 at 4:53 pm

OK, let’s compare and contrast those gyrations with Spurrier’s policy, i.e., “hit a woman and you’re gone”. No arrest hedging, no booster lawyer PTI, no he said/she said. Which one sounds like “zero tolerance” to you?

Original Good Old Boy September 17, 2014 at 4:54 pm

In typical fashion, CNSYD runs to defend Dabo’s hypocrisy.

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Golden Gopher September 19, 2014 at 12:39 pm

It’s broader than that. He runs to defend Clemson’s hypocrisy. Shame he didn’t gradaute from Clemson – his loyalty might make sense.

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CNSYD's Gay Dad September 19, 2014 at 12:37 pm

USC fans love Swinney because he’s Clemson’s coach, and we want him to remain in that job forever.

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Bible Thumper September 17, 2014 at 3:39 pm

The other day I had to explain to fits it’s misuse of the word “Layaway”.
Now he apparently doesn’t understand what “Zero tolerance” means. You can look it up on Wikipedia.

Imposes an automatic punishment that doesn’t give authorities discretion to change.

Dabo did not violate that principle.

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CockyMike September 17, 2014 at 9:41 pm

Clem5on DOES NOT have an “Automatic Punishment” policy. When your players are arrested, the coach and the AD get together and decide what to do about it. At USC, there IS an “Automatic Suspension” for anybody that gets arrested. Immediately.

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they are stupid September 17, 2014 at 10:46 pm

If you are in anyway arrested at USC you are off the team until it is resolved. At Tater U its until you get in a program, before its even completed, and you are right back on the team. These idiots just don’t get it.

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E Norma Scok September 18, 2014 at 10:29 am

Funny..I don’t remember that happening to the 8 or so of the team that stole all those laptops from the cockroach, or were getting free room and board at the Whitney, or for Stephen Garcia when he keyed that’s prof’s car, or was caught underage drinking, or setting off a fire extinguisher…or whatever else he did.

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they are stupid September 18, 2014 at 3:17 pm

You don’t remember because you are too fucking stupid to even read what was written. “off the team until it is resolved” In each of those (to use CNSDY’s big word “alleged” instances all the matters were resolved before they were back on the team. Like Watkins and the drugs…..

SOSownsDABO September 17, 2014 at 3:48 pm

McDaniel’s case is bad, but Joe Craig’s is worse, and is all Dabo. Behold:

Reserve wide receiver Joe Craig was involved in an incident in the summer of 2011 with a female track athlete at a track team pool party where he allegedly hit her, pursued her to an apartment, tried to forced his way in, and beat her with a towel rod. When police arrived, the woman was hysterical and bleeding from her head. Afterward, Swinney was silent until the police report leaked, and then delayed for weeks deciding what to do. There finally was an interim suspension from team activities weeks after the story broke, and finally decided to suspend the reserve WR for ONE WHOLE GAME. Ironically, Craig was immediately suspended from the Clemson track team after the incident, but Swinney, for reasons known only to himself, refused to do this for weeks.

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/04/clemson-wont-suspend-freshman-receiver-after-altercation-with-female/

http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20110823/PC16/308239995

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/24/clemsons-joe-craig-back-but-suspended-at-least-a-game/

Swinney even referenced the Craig incident in the press
conference yesterday, as if it somehow supported his position:

“Zero tolerance,” Swinney said. “We’re not
going to deal with that kind of stuff. We had a player who is no longer here, a
situation that we had in that realm.” Wow.

As if that were not enough, Swinney’s embarrassing leniency
towards Craig allowed him to assault another woman while at Clemson. This
second incident finally resulted in his dismissal from the team. Obviously,
this is not “zero tolerance”, and Craig did not learn much from his prior
discipline.

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2012-02-03/clemson-receiver-joe-craig-dismissed-from-team-after-altercation-with-woman

Dabo is a first-class hypocrite, and it’s embarrassing that the lamestream media won’t call him on it.

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nitrat September 17, 2014 at 4:23 pm

That is a great example of the moral degeneracy that IS sports.
And, Dabo is a big holy roller, right? WWJD?

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9" September 17, 2014 at 5:01 pm

Jesus would be the greatest quarterback in sports history!

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Same ol' Same ol' September 18, 2014 at 8:32 am

Some Jack Daniels would be good right about now.

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CNSYD September 17, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Purposely you left out the main part of the alleged incident. Now tell us what occurred PRIOR to the alleged actions of Craig.

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SOSownsDABO September 17, 2014 at 4:49 pm

During the altercation, she cut him with an “eyebrow razor”, whatever that is. But neither you nor I know how it started or who hit whom first. It started at a pool party, so I doubt she had the razor on her. How did he get to the apartment with the towel rod, beating on the door? Are you suggesting that was self defense from HER? He was going to be charged with ABHAN, a felony. Oh, and the track coach had no problem suspending him immediately, despite no charges. I’m sorry tater CNSYD, but that ain’t “zero tolerance”, it’s more of a “two beatings” rule. Dabo remains a true clownfraud, and thanks to his ridiculous buyout, you’re stuck with him.

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Alleged? whats Alleged? September 17, 2014 at 6:04 pm

Its not an “alleged incident” if he went to PTI. in order to get in the program you must claim yourself to be guilty. No “alleged incident” is mentioned, a factual one did however. I knew you to be an idiot, I just am surprised you proved it here so easily

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ItsTrue September 21, 2014 at 11:31 am

In South Carolina there are no requirements to admit guilt in order to be allowed in to a P.T.I. program.

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Elaine Jones September 18, 2014 at 8:43 am

Might want to do a bit more research before posting, the incident happened on a Wed charges were filed on Saturday, he was released from the team on Sunday.

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John from Irmo September 18, 2014 at 9:34 am

Elaine, perhaps you should do the research. You’re not even close to being correct. Joe was kicked off on Wednesday after the 2nd episode involving Whitney Fountain. The first incident involved Joe beating Marlena West with a towel rod and earned him a 3 game suspension. Pretty far from Dabo’s zero tolerance policy.

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Guest September 18, 2014 at 9:36 am

After the second beating he was dismissed.

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Philip Branton September 17, 2014 at 3:53 pm

Ya know….sit back and think for a second.

With all these players and the domestic violence issue on the burner. Why has it not come up that there is more the ONE woman in the sea ….so to speak. Why beat on a woman when as a football player you can go anywhere (practically) and meet other women..? Why beat on ONE when you can love on all the rest…?

I’ve not heard that perspective uttered no where in the media..?

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Scooter September 17, 2014 at 9:41 pm

Because most of them are dumb to the bone STUPID.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein September 18, 2014 at 7:50 am

“Oneitis”

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Beatdown looming September 17, 2014 at 4:15 pm

Spurrier has a zero tolerance for losing to taters.

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68Scot September 17, 2014 at 4:19 pm

Seems like I remember something about a conference on domestic violence that Dabo was supposed to speak at and he was a no-show. Anyone else remember more details?

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SOSownsDABO September 18, 2014 at 2:31 pm

I’ve tried to post them several times, but it keeps getting deleted, for some reason. Google “spurrier swinney victory violence”.

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nitrat September 17, 2014 at 4:21 pm

The problem is that your friendly local elected prosecutor and your friendly local appointed judge – across the country – do not always understand the definition of ‘violent’. Plus, football players and other athletes start getting passes from coaches and schools in JV. The behavior is out of control by the time they get to the pros.
In SC, if you’ve got the money for the right lawyer and have the right solicitor, you can molest a child and get PTI.

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VoiceofReason September 17, 2014 at 4:28 pm

I grow weary of this! Idiots!!!

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VoiceofTruth September 17, 2014 at 6:33 pm

then go away like you always claim you will dumbass

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john from irmo September 17, 2014 at 4:32 pm

Thank you. No one would call him on it.

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Toyota Kawaski September 17, 2014 at 4:55 pm

Oh Gosh Fits you are such a POS!!! As much as I luve Dat Boy this is a bit much. Mr. Rich must of called an said get the hit meter up?

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Bible Thumper September 17, 2014 at 5:42 pm

Ashley Smith

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BP September 17, 2014 at 5:57 pm

Just wanted to post this article for the Sic Willie. Care to comment?

In August 2006, before his first season at Georgia Military, North Charleston police arrestedKing
and charged him with kidnapping and assault and battery of a high and
aggravated nature following a two-hour argument with an ex-girlfriend.The female, who was 17 years old at the time, told police King held her against her will at his home through various physical means.According to an incident report, King bent the girl’s wrist, grabbed her around the throat and later slammed her to the ground before apologizing and allowing her to leave.The ex-girlfriend, who was treated for injuries that included a small welt on her nose, declined to prosecute.

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Scooter September 17, 2014 at 9:37 pm

Now, now, you know that don’t count. You are referencing The Anointed One-Slurrier. The spokesman for MAD.

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BP September 17, 2014 at 5:59 pm

To piggy back that article. That is about Jarriel King who went on to play for Spurrier after JUCO.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein September 17, 2014 at 8:21 pm

TBG thinks we need a cage match smackdown between “Zero Tolerance” and “Everyone Deserves a Second Chance”.

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E Norma Scok September 17, 2014 at 9:10 pm

Or a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and maybe a 5th one, too.

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How many? September 17, 2014 at 10:43 pm

Other than keying a car once his freshman year and one underage drinking the same year, name me one thing Garcia did that was actually illegal? Everything else you are talking about was not illegal I mean that’s what you are referring to as we all know, and if that’s all you have its sad. being drunk, vs hitting a girl. yeah they are equal I guess in Tater town. hell every frat boy up there does it, so why not the players?

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TontoBubbaGoldstein September 18, 2014 at 7:48 am

Other than keying a car once his freshman year and one underage drinking the same year, name me one thing Garcia did that was actually illegal?

“Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln…how was the play?”

How many? September 18, 2014 at 9:29 am

so two things a FRESHMAN in college did is what Clemson wants to use as an example is what you are saying? Yeah because no young kid has ever goofed up. But either way he was punished, and suspended for both instances until the cases were completely resolved. Not just letting him back on the team, before he even finishes the program, because he said he’d go to PTI.

E Norma Scok September 18, 2014 at 10:31 am

Yeah heck…he got suspended 3 or 4 more times. How bad could it have been?

That noise you hear flying over your head is the point you missed, with hypocrisy chasing it.

How many? September 18, 2014 at 12:10 pm

no, you are acting as if he did things illegal, he was suspended for bad decisions but nothing illegal you dumbshit. You are the one too stupid to see the difference. CDV vs being drunk and not driving. your wife must be so proud when she isn’t hiding from you.

Squishy123 September 18, 2014 at 12:26 pm
The Colonel September 17, 2014 at 6:04 pm

Was Dabo trying to squeeze one out or hold one in?

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Vic Beasley September 17, 2014 at 6:18 pm

He was watching Clowney sack Tajh Boyd. Again.

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The Colonel September 17, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Even better, +5

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Squishy123 September 17, 2014 at 6:26 pm

Slurrier used to have a zero tolerance toward drugs too… then Garcia and gang showed up. Now you miss a half-game and have to run stairs one morning.

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Squishy is my bitch September 17, 2014 at 10:13 pm

wow, here you are again when this post has nothing to do with USC, bashing them for no reason. You really are a jealous little POS aren’t you? Say Hello to your in the dirt pecker lover mother for all of us that miss her, little bitch

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carls jr September 18, 2014 at 7:36 am

None of those orange fools can stay on topic. Squishy says he is not a tater. They win Saturday night, he will have the orange overalls on in church on Sunday.

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carls jr September 18, 2014 at 7:41 am

As your boyfriend CNYSD would write, please show us the proof of Garcia being in trouble for drugs. Take your meds early today, boy…might help you get through the day without constantly thinking about THE University of South Carolina. Good luck to your Clem5son Tigers Saturday night.

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Squishy123 September 18, 2014 at 12:23 pm

Good thing you clarified that, because if you had said USC everyone would think you’re talking about California and if you said Carolina everyone would think you were talking about North Carolina.

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Squishy is my bitch September 18, 2014 at 1:36 pm

Squishy what the fuck are you doing back? I thought you ran and hid like a little bitch. And by the way, you cant come up with anything original? You just keep posting BS someone else said thinking you are cool or funny. Other than yourself no one even upvotes your little posts. Are you back from saying hey to that in the dirt pecker lover mother of yours?

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Brad Smyly June 28, 2015 at 11:48 am

What drugs? Garcia had alcohol problems. I’ve never heard of him failing any drug tests.

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Scooter September 17, 2014 at 9:32 pm

You are weak man., weak.

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CountryBoy September 17, 2014 at 10:30 pm

Kinda a lame attempt at aligning CDV with Dabo…reached way out there for that one….and btw…I’m USC all the way and hate anything clemmons…but this was not right

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john from Irmo September 18, 2014 at 9:39 am

Dabo aligned himself with CDV. The post from Fits just shows Dabo’s hypocrisy. Dabo said “Of course, I’ve had a rule here ever since I’ve been here that if you ever hit a girl, you’re not going to play on our team – you’re finished”. That’s inaccurate. McDaniel played for 2 more years and Craig was only kicked off after his 2nd episode.

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Jim Roberts February 6, 2015 at 7:47 am

Apparently he has selective zero-tolerance. He just hired McDaniel

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