Von Pearson Still Suspended From Vols Football Team
By Zach Ragan
Tennessee Vols wide receiver Von Pearson was cleared this week of a pending sexual assault case that’s kept him off the field since late April.
But Pearson has yet to be reinstated to the UT football team.
According to Jimmy Hyams, Pearson is academically eligible and has attended every meeting at Tennessee that he’s been asked to attend.
Chris Coffey, attorney for suspended UT FB player Von Pearson, said Pearson took his finals in the spring and is academically eligible.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
Coffey again expressed frustration that UT has not reinstated Pearson, even though the Knox County’s DA offense said it would not prosecute
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
Coffey said Pearson met with UT officials Wednesday but nothing has been resolved. Coffey: ``Von Pearson has cooperated fully (1/3).
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
``He has attended every meeting he’s been asked to attend. He has provided names and numbers of witnesses ... to remain suspended today ...
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
``...at 5 p.m. is simply unbelievable, coupled with the fact Michael Williams – who will go on trial later this month for 2 counts of (2/3)
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
..... aggravated rape -- is sitting in class. That further makes the situation incredibly unbelievable.’
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
Coffey: ``I again call for the University to lift the suspension. They’re committing irreparable harm to this man’s future. (1/2)
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
Coffey: ``UT has ample information that Von Pearson is innocent of these charges. This borders on unbelievable.''
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) August 6, 2015
If there isn’t another side to this story, and if what Pearson’s attorney is asserting is true, then it is very surprising that Pearson remains suspended.
Assuming there was no wrong doing, and that’s exactly what it appears based on the DA’s decision not to prosecute, then Pearson should be allowed to return to the field.
Given the latest developments, and the strongly worded statement from his attorney, I would expect Pearson to be reinstated very soon.