The CIAA championship game between Winston-Salem State and Virginia State that was scheduled to take place on Saturday has been canceled because Winston-Salem State’s quarterback was allegedly beaten up by opposing players at a banquet on Friday.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that Winston-Salem State quarterback Rudy Johnson was beaten up by five Virginia State players after a fight broke out in a bathroom inside the Anderson Center on the WSSU campus Friday. The teams were there for the CIAA championship luncheon prior to the game, and reports say Johnson (pictured) was jumped.
“We don’t know a lot of what happened but we do know our starting quarterback, Rudy Johnson, was beaten up,” said Chancellor Donald Reaves of WSSU, “and he didn’t beat himself up.”
Johnson was treated and released from the hospital, per the report. WGHP reported that Johnson had a swollen eye and cut above his eye. Two Virginia State players were arrested. Running back Lamont Britt is believed to be among those arrested. He was charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury.
“We understand that some Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University student-athletes were involved in an incident during the time of today’s luncheon event,” CIAA commissioner Jacqie Carpenter said in a statement, per ESPN. “The police are currently investigating the incident and are speaking with the individuals involved. Leadership from the CIAA and the participating institutions are fully cooperating. Further details and updates regarding the status of the championship game will be forthcoming.”
Jeeze, talk about new meaning to knocking a quarterback out of a game. Winston-Salem State is 9-0 with Johnson as the starter, so they would have been missing a key player. Winston-Salem State is offering refunds for those who had tickets to the game. What an unusual story.
