The month of August has officially become craptastic for the University of Missouri.
On the heels of the latest of three drunk-driving charges to be slapped on various members of the football program, one of the most talented players on the offensive side of the ball has been hit with the most serious charge to date.
According to the Columbia Missourian, running back Derrick Washington has been charged with deviate sexual assault. The lone charge is a felony.
Washington, who’s led the Tigers in rushing the past two seasons, was indefinitely suspended last week by head coach Gary Pinkel for “unknown” reasons. Washington had an order of protection filed against him in June after a woman had accused him of sexual assault the same month. The order of protection was issued on June 22 and a court hearing was scheduled on July 7. The hearing was rescheduled for July 22 at the request of the alleged victim, but neither party showed up on that date.
The case was dismissed without prejudice and the door was open for another filing at a later date. Apparently, that’s now the case.
The felony hanging over Washington’s head means it’s highly likely that he will be unavailable for the opener against Illinois, although, given the seriousness of the charges facing him, that’s the least of his worries right now.
