Earlier today, Cleveland19.com published a report stating that a prospect projected to go in the first round of this years’ NFL Draft has been accused of sexual assault at The Westin hotel in Cleveland back on April 9th. According to a report from TMZ and various sources, the prospect in question is former Ohio State cornerback, Gareon Conley.
According to the report, the accuser says she met Conley in an elevator and he asked her to have a foursome with another friend of his. The woman says she declined and offered to watch the other people have sex instead.
A short time later, the woman says Conley unbuttoned her pants and began to have sex with her. She claims she said, “No, stop, it hurts!” but he kept going until he finished. She says he then kicked her out of the hotel room.
The woman called 911 and described her assailant as a “black male who wouldn’t take his sunglasses off and had an Ohio State tattoo on his left forearm.”
Conley’s attorney was quoted as saying the allegations are “ludicrous and ridiculous.” The female in question is reportedly no-longer talking with Police having made the claim, with witnesses claiming that the accusation is false.
Woman Accuses Ex-tOSU Gareon Conley of Rape; Witnesses Say She Falsely Accused After Being Kicked Out of Room https://t.co/cK4uIPcQVc pic.twitter.com/IrSS60gh9V
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) April 25, 2017
This article sheds a little more light on what actually happened that night, but regardless of whether Conley is innocent or not, there is no doubting that this has the potential to ruin both a career and a life. The Ohio State star was a projected first round pick prior to this report..and if it’s true, he simply only has himself to blame. If it isn’t, the weight that this carries just 48-hours ahead of Draft night could be equally as devastating from a career perspective.
Conley was heavily linked with the Philadelphia Eagles and the 14th overall pick. In fact, just hours ago, Mark Eckel of NJ.Com reported that Conley is among the three players that the Eagles are set to target in the first round. This accusation has the power to completely eradicate any chance of being drafted altogether if true..and teams will have a lot to take into account when looking to draft him.
Sexual assault is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s also a very difficult topic to cover given the severity of the implications. Immediately calling a potential victim a liar is just as dangerous as it is to assume that Conley is guilty. This is an ongoing case and with information limited, we hope that many, both media and fans alike, refrain from making assumptions.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
