Trash Talk Led to Assault that Cancelled Title Game

The Associated Press

An independent investigation paid for by Virginia State University concluded that only one Trojan player took part in the assault of Winston-Salem State quarterback Rudy Johnson that lead to the cancellation of the CIAA championship game in November.

The investigation, conducted by attorney Robert L. Clayton, also concluded that the assault was not premeditated and resulted from trash-talking that one witness described as "comical." The assault took place in a bathroom while WSSU was hosting a championship luncheon on campus on the eve of the league championship.

Virginia State running back Lamont Daniel Britt, a former Lake Taylor High player, is charged with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury.

Johnson appeared at a press conference three days after the assault with a blackened right eye. He alleged that he was punched, stomped and kicked by as many as six Trojans players in the bathroom.

The CIAA cancelled the title game after the fight. The conference also declared WSSU the league champion and banned Virginia State from participation in the NCAA playoffs.