Oregon Snowball Attack Involving Football Players Gets Out of Hand

A snowball fight at the University of Oregon has led to the suspension of at least one college football player and internal disciplinary action against several others after the common winter pastime got out of hand last Friday.

Starting tight end Pharaoh Brown was seen on video dumping containers full of snow on students, passing cars, and a former UO professor, identified as Sherwin Simmons, The Oregonian reported.

Urgent: Do You Approve Or Disapprove of President Obama's Job Performance? Vote Now in Urgent Poll

In the video, which was shot by another student on a camera phone, Simmons is seen attempting to drive off campus but can't because several students block his car. Nearly 100 students subsequently gather around the car and dump snow on it.

Simmons then attempts to step out but is confronted by a student, resembling Brown, who dumps a container of snow on him and his front seat.

"They started out having good fun, it kind of went to a mob mentality and in the end I don't believe — I don't know everybody this happened to — but I don't believe anyone got hurt," Simmons, told KATU-TV. "Yes, they broke student conduct code and if the UO has a procedure for that then that's what should happen."

Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich reacted to the video over the weekend, releasing a statement to Oregon's student newspaper on Sunday.

"On Saturday, I was made aware of an incident that occurred Friday afternoon during the snow day involving multiple Oregon students including members of the football team," Helfrich said. "The behavior exhibited in the video is completely unacceptable and dangerous. We take this matter very seriously and disciplinary actions have begun."

Helfrich reportedly met with each player in the video and discussed the consequences they would face.

Brown released a statement Monday afternoon following his suspension, the Oregonian reported.

"I was one of the many UO students involved in the snowball fight on Friday and my actions escalated to an inappropriate level and for that, I sincerely apologize," Brown said. "We never should have engaged innocent people and I deeply regret my actions and will accept the consequences."

Editor's Note: ObamaCare Is Here. Are You Prepared?

Related Stories:

• Storm Dumps Snow, Sleet, Disrupt Flights, Football
  
• Snow Blankets East; Washington Offices, Many Schools Closed