Six Central Methodist University football players have been suspended and two arrested after an alleged team “fight club” left a teammate hospitalized with a possible brain bleed.
At 2:01 p.m. on October 9, police were called to Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, in response to a reported assault, according to KRCG News. Two CMU football players were then taken into custody after reportedly attacking another unidentified player.
Court documents reveal what led to the fight
In court documents, the victim claimed he was in the locker room when another Central Methodist University football player tried to fight him for being late. He said there was a rule that required late players to fight someone as punishment for being late.
The victim claimed in a probable cause statement obtained by Substacker Cory Hogue that he requested the fight be limited to “body shots.” Instead, he claimed another player struck the victim in the face, so he fought back in self-defense. Other players then allegedly joined the melee.
On October 10, the victim sought treatment for his injuries at an urgent care facility. According to court records, he was referred to a concussion specialist for a possible brain bleed.
One of the arrested players had been arrested while attending another school
Two of the players involved in the fight were booked into Howard County Jail and charged with third-degree assault. One of the players, Michael Treyvion Hourel Jr., was previously charged with aggravated domestic burglary, aggravated assault, violence, and criminal property damage while playing at Emporia State University in 2024. The school suspended him indefinitely following his arrest. The victim claimed the “fight club” rule was “made by Hourel.”
“The safety and well-being of this student is our highest priority. This behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with our United Methodist heritage and a campus culture grounded in respect and care for others. Identified participants in the incident have been suspended from the football program indefinitely,” Central Methodist University said in a statement.
The school added that the “fight rule” was an “informal ‘accountability’ arrangement among a small group of players, rather than an official team rule.” CMU added that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.