Illinois' Jarrod Clements signs agreement regarding battery charge
Illinois defensive tackle Jarrod Clements won't have a misdemeanor charge for battery on his record if he completes terms of a second-chance agreement he signed earlier this month.
Clements, also known by his nickname of "Chunky," was allegedly involved in a fight at a party on the Illinois campus in March. Police then identified him after reviewing video of the incident in late April but, according to the News-Gazette, he was not notified of any charges against him and missed a May court date. He was charged with misdemeanor battery though a warrant was never served.
After he became aware of the charges filed against him, Clements hired Evan Bruno, who recently represented former and current Illini basketball players Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate in domestic battery cases.
"I became involved after the court date had come and gone," Bruno said. "He was wanting to address the case and do whatever he needed to do to move past it. He has been as motivated as anyone I've ever worked with to get beyond it."
He signed the second chance agreement in June and won't serve any public discipline from the Illinois football team.
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"We are aware of the incident from several months ago involving Jarrod Clements, and I am disappointed in Jarrod's actions," Illinois coach Lovie Smith said in a statement. "He has already begun working toward fulfilling the community service hours that were assigned to him by the court. We will reinforce to Jarrod the expectations we have of him as a student-athlete."
Clements had 35 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2015. He also had a half-sack.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
