HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall senior running back Steward Butler was dismissed from the team Wednesday for allegedly punching two gay men he saw kissing.
Athletics director Mike Hamrick announced the move via Twitter: “Coach Holliday and I have decided to dismiss Steward Butler from our program in light of additional information regarding his charges.”
The decision came a few hours after Butler, 23, was arraigned in Cabell County Magistrate Court on two counts of battery.
Huntington police said the incident occurred April 9 along Ninth Street. Butler was allegedly in a passing car when he witnessed the two men kiss along the sidewalk. The criminal complaint alleged Butler got out of the car, shouted slurs at the men and then struck the victims in the face with a closed fist.
One of the victims reportedly captured the incident on video.
Butler was arraigned on the misdemeanor charges Wednesday morning. Evidence was turned over to the FBI to review for possible civil rights violations. Butler was released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
The university’s interim president Gary White said in a statement the “violent, bigoted behavior” alleged would not be tolerated at Marshall.
“We will allow the legal process to run its course and will act swiftly and appropriately within our Student Conduct System and according to the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities as more details become clear,” White said.
Hamrick initially stated that Butler had been suspended indefinitely.
“We take all accusations against our student-athletes seriously, especially those of such a sensitive nature. We hold all of our 350-plus student-athletes to a high standard, on and off the playing surface, as ambassadors of Marshall University.”
There were no specifics released about the “additional information” Hamrick referred to in his mid-afternoon tweet.
Butler’s career with the Herd included 295 carries for 2,063 yards. He was expected to see a lot of playing time this fall.
The following is White’s full statement:
“The entire university community is shocked and disappointed to learn the details surrounding the alleged actions that led to Mr. Butler’s arrest this morning.
“The type of violent, bigoted behavior reported to have been perpetrated by this student is not tolerated at Marshall University. Period. This is an extremely serious matter.
“We will allow the legal process to run its course and will act swiftly and appropriately within our Student Conduct System and according to the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities as more details become clear.”