Not long after defensive tackle Jose Jose (still great name) was kicked off the team for what was later described as an “argument”, UCF coach George O’Leary has another discipline issue on his hands -- though the situation involving receiver J.J. Worton is far more serious.
According to police records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, Worton was arrested early Sunday morning and slapped with felony charges of resisting arrest with violence and battery on a peace officer.
The records state Worton was (shocker) attending a St. Patrick’s Day party outside a local off-campus bar when an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy ordered the 20-year-old receiver to leave. Worton reportedly refused and cursed at the officer, and when the officer laid his hand on Worton’s arm, the player swung at the cop.
Worton then reportedly took off running and was eventually found underneath a parked vehicle. Worton, upon being found, then allegedly resisted arrest, with one officer claiming Worton “punched [him] in the face with a closed fist.” Worton was hit with pepper spray and subdued.
Worton’s legal standing, as well as his status with the team, is yet to be determined.
“When I collect all of the facts and know exactly what took place, we will deal with this situation in an appropriate manner,” O’Leary said in a statement.
