The Baylor football program is on high alert when it comes to off-field transgressions and standout defensive back Travon Blanchard has unfortunately come under fire once again. Blanchard received a suspension in February as a result of a domestic violence allegation and, at Big 12 Media Days, Baylor head coach Matt Rhule addressed his status, via Adam Grosbard of SportsDay in Dallas.
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"Travon's been suspended since the very first day we heard about that incident. That's kind of our policy, suspended until university inquiry and anything legal happens. So there's really been no change in his status. If at some point those things are finalized or anything legal comes along we'll make a decision then but we have a process in place to make sure we don't make mistakes, that everyone's treated as fairly as possible."
Just hours later, though, Blanchard's situation took a reported turn for the worse, as KWTX in Waco reports that he has been arrested and charged with family violence. According to the report, Blanchard was arrested at approximately 5:30 pm local time near Baylor's campus and his defensive attorney, Michelle Tuegel gave the following statement in response:
"Tuesday evening Travon Blanchard was picked up by the Baylor Police Department on a warrant issued by the Fort Bend County District Attorney's office for a misdemeanor charge involving an allegation of an incident between Travon and an ex-girlfriend at a Houston area restaurant. The accusations made against Travon are the same accusations made by the same woman who requested the protective order filed earlier this year. Her initial accusations connected to this arrest were contained in the February 2017 police or event report released earlier this year. The woman alleged that Travon snatched keys out of her hand which she claimed cut her pinky finger in the process. We look forward to representing Travon and bringing out the truth in court."
After word of the arrest broke, Baylor issued the following statement:
"Travon Blanchard was suspended from all team activities immediately after learning of allegations made against him in February. That status has not changed and he has had no involvement with the program since that time. The university is aware of the arrest made today in connection with the previous allegations against Blanchard and will monitor the developments of this charge for any additional decision regarding his affiliation as a student-athlete."
For now, Blanchard remains away from the Baylor program and it looks like the school is proceeding with proper caution since Blanchard was already suspended for what he is now being officially charged with.
