Sophomore Drae Bowles had been punched in the mouth and bloodied by a teammate for retribution, according to accounts provided by Bowles in a sworn affidavit filed in federal court in Nashville. Later, during a phone call with Jones, the coach told Bowles he "betrayed the team." The lawsuit stated Jones later called Bowles back and apologized. Bowles transferred to UT Chattanooga shortly after the 2014 incident.
During the early morning of Nov. 16, 2014, Bowles said he found the woman - a friend of his - hyperventilating in a parking lot. He called 911 and arranged to meet an ambulance with her. Later that day, Bowles was confronted by fellow Volunteer football player Curt Maggitt, who punched him in the mouth. Bowles fought back before teammates broke up the fight. Bowles said he was confronted a second time the next day at a campus dining hall by two other teammates, before the fight was broken up by strength coach Brandon Myles. Two players followed Bowles out into the parking lot to continue the confrontation, but Myles intervened again.
The Knoxville Police Department has refused to release the records on two of the players accused of rape and is being sued by Knoxville News Sentinel.
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