WR KaVontae Turpin Dismissed from TCU Football After Assault Arrest

TCU receiver KaVontae Turpin has been kicked off the team following his arrest Sunday on a charge of assault of a family member with bodily injury, Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson announced Tuesday.

"I'm not trying to cover anything up," Patterson said.

Patterson initially said Monday that Turpin was suspended and "probably" wouldn't play Saturday against the Kansas Jayhawks.

According to Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram, Turpin allegedly became upset with a woman he had been in a relationship with for five years because he believed she had been sending pictures of herself to other people. He then allegedly grabbed the woman, "slammed" her to the ground and "dragged her" across a parking lot. Additionally, he was said to have been "grabbing her from behind with one arm across her neck."

The woman was eventually able to flee and call the police from a neighbor's house.

Turpin reportedly refused to speak to law enforcement and was subsequently arrested.

TCU spokeswoman Holly Ellman issued a statement on the arrest:

"Texas Christian University is aware that one of its students was recently arrested for a reported domestic situation. The university takes these types of reports very seriously and is continuing to gather information to determine next steps. TCU expects its students to behave in an ethical manner, abide by campus policies and adhere to state and federal law. The student also may face a charge of violating the University Code of Student Conduct, the results of which are independent and separate from any legal charges."

Davison reported Tuesday that Turpin had a previous altercation with his girlfriend in March. That incident, in which he was arrested on multiple charges including battery in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is believed to have been with the same person.

The senior wideout had 29 receptions for 410 yards and three touchdowns in seven games for TCU (3-4) this season, adding 312 kickoff return yards, 175 punt return yards and two return touchdowns.