TCU QB Trevone Boykin charged with striking officer, suspended for bowl game

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Thursday, December 31, 2015

TCUquarterback Trevone Boykin was arrested and charged with a felony early Thursday morning in San Antonio after fighting at a bar and then allegedly striking a bicycle patrol officer.

Boykin was formally charged with assaulting a public servant, a third-degree felony, posted a $5,000 bond and was released from custody late Thursday morning.

TCU is playingOregonon Saturday in the Alamo Bowl. TCU coach Gary Patterson issued a statement, saying: "Trevone Boykin and [junior wide receiver]Preston Millerhavebeensuspended for Saturday's game due to a violation of team rules. We are disappointed in their actions and apologize to the TCU Horned Frogs Nation, Valero Alamo Bowl and city of San Antonio."

A TCU spokesperson confirmed Boykin was sent home Thursday following his arrest and suspension.

At a Thursday morning news conference, San Antonio Police chief William McManus confirmed reports that Boykin, 22, and some teammates were in an establishment named Pat O'Brien's just before 2 a.m. when some patrons recognized the quarterback and began to trash-talk. Boykin became upset, and a scuffle ensued. In the melee, Boykin struck a bar employee.

Boykin and those with him were removed from the bar, but the fight continued. San Antonio bicycle police officers arrived at the scene and, with the help of bar bouncers, tried to stop the fight. According to an incident report provided by the San Antonio PD, the suspect "was very aggressive and was being held back by the group that he was with. Members of his group stated they would get him back to the hotel they were staying at."

After walking away, the suspect, whom police were told by bystanders was Boykin, charged officers. McManus said he was swinging and struck an officer in the face. Several officers then took Boykin to the ground. After officers threatened to use a stun gun on Boykin, he was arrested. In addition to the charge of assaulting a police officer, he faces charges of resisting arrest and public intoxication, according to the police chief.

"We don't know if he was swinging at the officer or somebody behind him," McManus said. "In any event, the officer was struck in the face and suffered injuries."

McManus said the officer suffered a swollen face, bruises and abrasions. The crime scene investigative team photographed the officer's injuries, and he was treated by emergency medical personnel.

"Clearly, this was not an appropriate way to act," McManus said of Boykin's behavior. "He was heckled, and he responded to it."

It was not immediately clear what Miller did to get suspended.

McManus said the department has ordered cameras to record interactions with the public, and those will be deployed by the bike officers in the near future.

A managerat Pat O'Brien's told ESPN that security footage has been turned over to police.

TCU co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham said Boykin was in his room when his coaches did curfew check at midnight, but then Boykin went back out. Pat O'Brien's is located three blocks from TCU's team hotel.

Running back Aaron Green, one of Boykin's closest friends, called the incident "extremely heartbreaking." He said the quarterback still has the support of his teammates.

"He's still my brother. He's still our brother. We love him. We hope everything works out," Green said. "I'm hurting from it. I won't lie. This is a kid with an extremely bright future, probably one of the best football players I've ever played with. He's a good person too. You just hate to see that happen. I just pray everything works out and he has another opportunity to get out and do what he's great at."

Meacham and his fellow co-coordinator, Sonny Cumbie, said they're leaning toward starting senior Bram Kohlhausenover redshirt freshman Foster Sawyer against Oregon but have yet to make a final decision.

"You're always going to be disappointed when things like that happen to any of them," Meacham said of Boykin's involvement in the incident. "You hate to see that happen to anyone. At a young age, you make mistakes, and sometimes, you pay a pretty big price. You hate to see that happen. Naturally, it's disappointing."

Cumbie said he thinks the arrest was out of character for the Boykin he knows.

"Trevone means a lot to me and my family," Cumbie said. "He's a great kid, and we love him dearly."

Boykin is a senior who passed for 3,575 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. The Dallas native was a second-team All-American last season and a preseason candidate for the Heisman Trophy this year.

ESPN's Max Olson contributed to this report.

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