Two more Penn State football players handed suspensions
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Penn State receiver Chris Bell and defensive tackle Phillip Taylor were suspended from the team, the latest players facing disciplinary issues in a turbulent year off the field for the Nittany Lions. Bell and Taylor are “not participating with the team until such time that their academic situation improves and any off-the-field issues are behind them,” the athletic department said Friday.
The sophomores were mentioned but not charged in a criminal complaint last year concerning a fight during a fraternity party at the student union. Authorities said one man was beat up and treated at the scene.
Two other players are awaiting trial on felony assault and other charges in the Oct. 7 fight. Defensive tackle Chris Baker and backup linebacker Navorro Bowman were kicked off the team last month, at least temporarily.
A third player, cornerback Knowledge Timmons, was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and defiant trespass stemming from an incident after the fight. He has also been kicked off the team, but could return.
Authorities had left open the possibility of more charges after the initial arrests. Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said Friday that charges against at least one more suspect could be filed next week.
Bell started the first two games of the 2007 season but overall saw little playing time, catching seven passes for 143 yards. Taylor started the last five games of the season and finished with 20 tackles and three sacks.
Copyright Associated Press 2008