Winston-Salem QB Beaten By Opposing Players At Team Luncheon, Championship Game Canceled

The Winston-Salem QB was beaten by five opposing players during a luncheon, leaving him bloodied and bruised and forcing officials to call of the championship game.

Quarterback Rudy Johnson was in the bathroom at the event when he was “viciously beaten by one or more members of the Virginia State football team,” Winston-Salem State chancellor Donald Reaves said.

“We don’t know a lot of what happened, but we do know our starting quarterback, Rudy Johnson, was beaten up and he didn’t beat himself up,” Reaves said.

The Winston Salem QB was beaten so badly that his eye swelled shut and he was left with a gash above his eye, a police report said. He would not have been able to play on Saturday, teammates said.

Anonymous sources said up to five Virginia State players were involved in the assault, but so far only one has faced charges in the beating. Police arrested Lamont Britt, charging him with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury.

League officials decided to cancel the championship game between the two teams, which had been scheduled for Saturday.

“We understand that some Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University student-athletes were involved in an incident during the time of today’s luncheon event,” CIAA commissioner Jacqie Carpenter said in a statement. “The police are currently investigating the incident and are speaking with the individuals involved. Leadership from the CIAA and the participating institutions are fully cooperating. Further details and updates regarding the status of the championship game will be forthcoming.”

Before the Winston-Salem QB was beaten, he was having the best year of his career. A starter since the second game of the season, he threw for 2,076 yards with 22 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is also the team’s second-leading rusher, with 420 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Both Winston-Salem an Virginia State are historically black colleges. Both Division II teams were 9-1 this season.

The football teams weren’t the only ones to suffer when the Winston-Salem QB was beaten by opponents. The two schools were also set to meet in the CIAA volleyball championship, which was also called off.