Louisville starting CB Patrick charged with assault

As the sporting world continues to be annoyed anxiously awaits word from on high as to where LeBron James will play basketball in 2010 -- King, please don’t kick us Cleveland sports fans in our crown jewels again -- there’s some not-so-positive news from the college football world to report.

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, starting Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick, who also has a pending charge of operating a motor vehicle on a suspended license, has been arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault following an incident late last month.

Patrick was arrested June 27 in the 500 block of Bermuda Lane after he and a woman got into an argument, struggled over a telephone and he threw her down, according to a Louisville Metro Police citation.

The woman suffered scratches to a knee and elbow, according to the report. ...

Attorney Grant Helman, who is representing Patrick, said Patrick and his girlfriend began struggling over his cell phone when she wanted to see his text messages and that she slipped and fell, hitting a table. Helman said Patrick called police and, because the girlfriend had visible injuries, Patrick was arrested.

Patrick’s attorney expects the alleged victim to ask that the charge be dropped. Head coach Charlie Strong is aware of the arrest but has no comment on the legal situation.

The senior has started every game at cornerback for the Cardinals for the past two seasons, and has four career interceptions.

(Tip O’ the Hat: Brian Bennett of ESPN.com’s Big East blog)