Cincinnati backup quarterback Jarred Evans testified in court on Friday to defend the punch he threw in October that led to a misdemeanor assault charge and his suspension from the team.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Evans testified that racial taunts toward he and his girlfriend led to the punch that knocked 20-year-old Ryan Smith unconscious.
From the Enquirer:
Jarred Evans and his girlfriend, her arm wrapped in his, were walking along a Clifton street as bars were closing when they heard a series of racist remarks from a group of men, Evans testified.
"N----- lover," one of the college-age men said to the couple. Evans is black, his girlfriend is white.
The group – Evans estimated there were three or four men – drew closer, he said Friday during the fourth day of testimony in his trial in Hamilton County Municipal Court.
Evans told the court that he tried to ignore the men as he walked toward his apartment, but felt threatened as the group continued saying racist comments.
Eventually, Evans responded: "I told them, 'I will (expletive) all of you up if you come after me."
Soon after, he testified, one of the men stood in front of them, blocking their path.
"He flinched at me with his hands up," Evans testified, "and I just reacted with a punch, a jab."
The single punch sent Ryan Smith, a 20-year-old sophomore, face-down to the sidewalk, unconscious.
Evans’ girlfriend, 22-year-old Jenna Dunlap, testified that Smith blocked their path but that she “covered her face and didn’t see the punch.”
“The (next) thing I know, I saw a dude on the ground,” she said. “I had tears in my eyes. I’d never seen anything like this.”
Smith had a completely different account of the events.
Smith testified earlier this week that he didn't say anything to Evans, didn't step into his path, and wasn't with the group of men. In fact, he said he didn't see who threw the punch that knocked him out. He said he woke up in a hospital bed. He suffered a concussion and a cut to his forehead that required a dozen stitches.
Courtney Gravett, Dunlap’s roommate, backed up Smith’s claims.
Courtney Gravett, who is Dunlap's roommate, said Smith was walking about 10 to 15 feet behind the group. Gravett said she tried to stop Evans from confronting the men. For no obvious reason, she testified, Evans struck Smith, who had his head down and his hands in his pockets.
Gravett also said she had been drinking with Evans and Dunlap at a local bar that night and that the couple had an argument. Dunlap denied these claims and Evans said he did not drink that night.
The incident occurred after the Bearcats’ 41-3 over SMU in Houston. Evans threw for 10 yards and ran for 67 yards and a score in the win.
For more Cincinnati news, visit BearcatReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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