Marshall RB Steward Butler dismissed after alleged battery of gay couple

Hours after his arrest for allegedly beating two gay men who kissed in the street, Marshall running back Steward Butler has been dismissed from the program.

Butler turned himself to police Wednesday morning in connection with the April 5 incident and school athletic director Mike Hamrick and head coach Doc Holliday announced his dismissal just before 3:30 p.m.

Earlier in the afternoon, the school announced Butler’s indefinite suspension. However, after learning of “additional information regarding his charges,” Hamrick and Holliday took things a step further and dismissed Butler.

Butler, who is facing two misdemeanor battery charges, is accused of beating two men after they kissed at 5th Avenue and 9th Street in Huntington. According to The Herald-Dispatch, Butler “witnessed the kiss, exited a passing vehicle and proceeded to shout derogatory words toward both men related to their sexual orientation.” Butler then allegedly hit both victims in the face with a closed fist.

One of the victims recorded the incident on video, police said.

“The entire university community is shocked and disappointed to learn the details surrounding the alleged actions,” Marshall interim president Gary C. White said in a statement. “The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University.”

Following an arraignment, Butler was released on a $10,000 bond.

Butler rushed for 2,063 yards and 18 touchdowns in his three seasons with the program.

For more Marshall news, visit HerdNation.com.

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