UNC denies claims of cover-up in Jackson Boyer incident
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) -- Cole Boyer, the brother of UNC Chapel Hill football player Jackson Boyer, claims on Twitter that UNC football is actively covering up the players involved and the extent of the violence that happened earlier this month at the Aloft hotel in Chapel Hill.
A Yahoo Sports report Tuesday specifically described the incident as a group assault hazing that took place in wide receiver Jackson Boyer's room at the Aloft Hotel in Chapel Hill during a training camp the first week of this month.
The report claims Boyer, who is a red-shirt freshman, allegedly suffered a concussion. However, Chapel Hill police told ABC11 Wednesday that there is no report of an altercation at the hotel. Orange County Emergency Services checked 911 calls and emergency service requests for the Aloft hotel. Officials found no record of a disturbance at the hotel for the entire month of August.
Boyer verified to the Durham Herald Sun that he wrote the Twitter messages posted on Thursday that accuse UNC of downplaying the incident.
"Let's stop using 'fight' or 'altercation.' A mob of defensive players pinned him down and beat him until he was KOd/concussed," Boyer wrote. "4 players isn't even 25% of group that assaulted my brother, leaving him unconscious and badly concussed @CoachFedora @ChancellorFolt."
UNC Coach Larry Fedora announced Wednesday afternoon that four players will be suspended for the first game of the season for "a violation of team rules."
"We hold our players accountable for their actions at all times," said Fedora. "These players did not meet the high expectations we have for them as members of our program and have been disciplined accordingly. They will not play on Saturday or be on the sideline with their teammates."
Defensive backs Des Lawrence, Brian Walker, M.J. Stewart and Donnie Miles will sit out Saturday's home game against Liberty. Fedora indicated the punishment won't go any farther.
On Twitter, Cole Boyer claims Fedora knew all details of the assault the day after it happened and "didn't act until @YahooForde story."
UNC spokesperson Kevin Best said Friday afternoon, "upon learning of the incident Coach Fedora notified his supervisor, Bubba Cunningham, and Cunningham notified his supervisor, Chancellor Carol Folt."
As to how many actual players may have been involved, UNC said the investigation is ongoing.
When questioned about his motives, Boyer wrote: "the kid worked his entire life to be a D1 athlete. Not going to let anyone take that away. That's it! I'm done on Twitter for a few days. I've done my part, now let's see UNC do theirs and complete this investigation ethically."
The UNC Office of Student Affairs is leading the investigation, which is ongoing.
ABC11 has not heard back from the chancellor's office.
Late Friday afternoon, North Carolina fan site InsideCarolina.com reported that the incident was the result of an attempted Gatorade shower. The four players suspended reportedly planned on dousing Boyer and his roommate on the night of Aug. 4.
Boyer apparently wanted none of it and a conflict ensued that left him with an injured eye and possible concussion. InsideCarolina says he returned to practice the next day.
