ESPN Drops Bombshell Report for Antonio Callaway's Suspension

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ESPN has detailed what many Florida fans have wondered for months now... just what has been taking so long in getting star receiver Antonio Callaway reinstated.

Callaway was suspended in late January for an alleged student conduct code violation for an incident that occurred in early December. No public details have come to light on what that violation was, but Callaway's attorney, Huntley Johnson, released a statement in March saying the allegation had "no merit."

Until now, that is.

Callaway's accuser has stepped forward, and in a letter obtained by ESPN, her attorney states that she was sexually assaulted by Callaway and former Florida player Treon Harris, who transferred from the program in July. However, the woman who filed the sexual assault complaint, her parents and five witnesses will not attend Callaway's hearing, which is scheduled for today in Gainesville.

Their reason? Florida reportedly appointed a Gators football booster to adjudicate the case.

"This has been a difficult decision but as I previously indicated to you, the fact that UF has hired a football booster to adjudicate a sexual assault allegation against one of the team's own football players is a fundamentally skewed process in which [the complainant] refuses to participate," the woman's attorney, John Clune, wrote in an Aug. 5 letter to UF deputy general counsel Amy Hass.

"To be clear, [the complainant] remains very willing to participate in a fair and unbiased disciplinary process. Mr. Calloway's (sic) behavior has had a great impact on her life and continuing as a student at UF is of great importance to her and her future."

Callaway's accuser did not report the incident to police, instead taking it to Florida's student conduct and conflict resolution office, ESPN reports. In recent weeks, Callaway had been cleared to return to the team facilities.

On Wednesday, coach Jim McElwain indicated that Callaway would practice with the team when fall camp opened, though he offered no further clarification on when there might be a status change with Callaway's suspension. Florida opened fall camp on Thursday.

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