Seminoles confirmed that the status of their star running back is under review pending investigation
Florida State running back Karlos Williams is being investigated by police in Tallahassee in an alleged domestic abuse case.
Tallahassee Police Department said that it had received the case on Saturday and was conducting an ongoing investigation.
Florida State University confirmed the case involved the team’s leading rusher. “The Athletics Department is aware of an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department involving football student-athlete Karlos Williams,” it said in a statement. “Until we receive more information regarding the alleged incident his status with the team will be under review.”
Williams became a starter this year for the No. 2 Seminoles–the defending national champions–and has racked up 388 yards and seven touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in a victory over Notre Dame on Oct. 18, according to ESPN. The team’s next game is on Thursday.
The announcement comes after FSU coach Jimbo Fisher denied a local radio report on Friday that Williams was suspended.
“It’s funny how, that guy, who’s a tremendous kid, I don’t even know where that would come from,” Fisher said, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “It kind of caught me off guard, like, ‘Whoa’. I don’t have no problem about [the question]. Karlos has been wonderful.” Fisher is expected to address the investigation in a news conference after practice on Monday, according to the Sentinel.
Also on Friday, a woman reported to be Williams’s girlfriend posted images of a bruised arm on Facebook and suggested it was the result of domestic violence. The Facebook post, which isn’t currently visible, did not name Williams, and it’s unclear if it is connected with the investigation.
It’s not the first time a Florida State player has been the subject of controversial allegations — Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston was accused of rape by a FSU student almost two years ago, but a lengthy investigation turned up insufficient evidence to charge him with a crime.