Auburn’s college football season started with so much promise, ranked sixth in the AP preseason poll and filled with talent on both sides of the ball. Some of their most noted talent was senior wide receiver D’haquille “Duke” Williams, who was on the short list of Biletnikoff Award candidates for the best wideout in college football and considered to be a potential high NFL draft pick after this season. How quickly things change.
Auburn is now sitting at 3-2 and without any realistic shot at the College Football Playoff, and Williams was kicked off the team on Monday. No reason was given at the time of the announcement, but thanks to AL.com, now we have an idea. Williams apparently punched four people at a bar in Auburn on Saturday night after the Tigers beat San Diego State, according to an employee of the establishment who remained anonymous.
The story played out like a familiar scene of an intoxicated athlete/big-man-on-campus starting trouble:
According to the witness, the incident was sparked when a member of Williams’ party was kicked out of Skybar for wearing sunglasses inside, a violation of the bar’s dress code policy. Williams, who the witness said appeared intoxicated, attempted to get his friend back into the bar using his local celebrity status only to be denied.
At some point after the exchange, Williams allegedly punched two security guards, a bartender assistant and a customer of the establishment. AL.com futher reports that one of the victims was prepared to press charges if Williams was not disciplined by the team. And sure enough, days later the decision came down.
No one from Auburn or the local police department has commented on the story so far.
(Via AL.com)
