NEED TO KNOW
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Notre Dame Football Coach Marcus Freeman spoke out at a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 14, following a battery allegation
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Freeman said the Mishawaka Police Department did not move forward with pressing charges against him
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Freeman thanked Notre Dame for their support after the university denied the battery allegation, which was connected to an alleged incident at his son Vinny’s wrestling match at a nearby Indiana high school
Notre Dame Football Coach Marcus Freeman is breaking his silence following the recent allegation of battery made against him.
In a press conference held on Wednesday, Jan. 14, Freeman, 40, first thanked Notre Dame for its «support» after the university issued a statement denying the allegations made against him.
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«I’m grateful for their trust and defense of me even before the video evidence was released,» Freeman continued. «I also want to thank the Penn High School administration, the community, and countless others who have reached out to me and my family.»
Freeman went on to «commend the journalists who handled their reporting with integrity» before criticizing «one particular local media outlet and a reporter.» Freeman did not name the outlet.
«Because they chose not to do so, my family and I have been dragged through the mud unnecessarily with clickbait headlines,» Freeman said of the unnamed reporter.
«The reality is I behaved in a respectful and professional manner while protecting my family. And that should have been the only headline,» Freeman said. «I know I’m a public figure and I understand the scrutiny that comes with that. That scrutiny should not extend to my children or any other child of a public figure.»
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Freeman also thanked the Mishawaka Police Department and St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office for «their efforts in this matter.»
In the press conference, Freeman said that the MPD declined to file charges against him following an investigation, an outcome he was «confident» in.
«I was confident in this outcome because I know I did not intentionally touch anyone in a rude, angry, or disrespectful way,» Freeman said. «I’m glad this matter has been thoroughly reviewed and resolved. Out of respect for everyone involved, I won’t comment further and we’ll move forward with my family and team.»
According to the South Bend Tribune, a police report was filed against Freeman following the alleged incident that took place on Jan. 3 at Mishawaka High School, located just outside of South Bend, Ind.
Freeman was attending the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational to support his son, Vinny, a senior who has committed to attend Cornell University.
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The newspaper reported that the alleged incident involved Freeman and a New Prairie High School wrestling assistant coach, Chris Fleeger.
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The incident began after Vinny lost a match and was being escorted off the mat by his father and his coach, and Fleeger then began «exchanging words» with the group,» the Tribune reported, citing the police report.
By the time the group made it into the hallway, Fleeger and Freeman’s wife, Joanna, were shouting at each other. Law enforcement and Mishawaka school officials then separated the two groups, according to the Tribune, citing the report.
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Fleeger filed a report at the scene, and the Freeman family left the event, the outlet reported.
Following the incident, Notre Dame Athletics issued a statement denying that Freeman had been involved in an assault.
«Vinny Freeman, head coach Marcus Freeman’s son, was verbally accosted during and after his wrestling match by a local wrestling coach,» the university said in a statement sent to PEOPLE.
«Marcus and Joanna Freeman intervened and removed Vinny from the situation. At no point did Coach Freeman physically engage with anyone,» the statement continued. «We believe that the police report, which includes video evidence, fully exonerates Coach Freeman and makes clear these accusations are unfounded.»
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PEOPLE has reached out to MPD for further information.
Read the original article on People
