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Ugly details emerge from altercation at Maryland practice that left one player with black eye, stitches
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Ugly details about an altercation that occurred during a Maryland football practice that sent left one player with a black eye and stitches.
The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Matthew Barber, a backup punter for the Terrapins, was assaulted at the end of practice on Tuesday. Barber, who spoke out against the culture that head coach DJ Durkin had created within the program, was attacked by a supporter of the head coach.
Athletic director Damon Evans confirmed that there was an altercation on Tuesday, though he did not provide any specifics.
Barber was referred to as a “whistle-blower” who spoke with investigators about the toxic culture within the football program. Durkin was reinstated as the head coach on Tuesday, and players who supported the head coach taunted Barber while others hurled footballs at him during practice.
From the Baltimore Sun:
Toward the end of the practice, another player attacked Barber, attempting to punch him in the face, Barber said. While the other two teammates were fighting, others tried to intervene and grabbed Barber’s arms behind his back, he said. That allowed the other player to punch Barber repeatedly in the face, leaving him with a black eye, needing multiple stitches on his forehead and a dislocated shoulder, Barber said.
“My jersey was bloody,” Barber says. “I had blood all over my hands.”
Durkin’s return lasted just one day, as the head coach was fired from his position on Wednesday.
Malcolm P. Ruff is the attorney for Barber and said his client was targeted for having “the courage to stand up.”
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB