Ohio State Players Deny Report Trevon Grimes Left Due to Zach Smith Altercation

A number of former and current Ohio State players took to social media Tuesday to deny a report Urban Meyer covered up an alleged racially charged altercation between former Buckeyes wide receiver Trevon Grimes and former assistant coach Zach Smith.

Stadium's Brett McMurphy spoke to Grimes' father, LeBron, who made the accusations against Smith. 

“Trevon said, ‘I want to leave.’ He was very emotional. He said, ‘I can’t take it anymore. I just want to leave.’ Trevon went up to Ohio State in August (2017) and in two months after I sent him up there – it’s supposed to be the greatest moment of his life and I’m feeling it’s a blessing – I get a phone call from him crying, angry and confused,” LeBron Grimes said. “His mom (Leah Grimes) was the first one to call me. That’s why I knew it was bad when his mother called me. Trevon said, ‘You have to get me out of this situation.’”

“Zach got up in his face and called him a ‘bitch ass n----r’ and said, ‘I should have never recruited you.’ And then Trevon said something to Zach about him messing around with college girls," he continued.

Ohio State President Michael V. Drake released a statement in support of Meyer:

"The Ohio State University unequivocally and vehemently disputes the unfounded allegations by Brett McMurphy. Any allegations of racism are outrageous and false. The university told McMurphy that we have found no evidence to support these allegations. Reporting in this manner is irresponsible, inflammatory and a severe invasion of privacy of a student athlete and his family as well as a baseless personal attack on Coach Meyer. It is regrettable that McMurphy and his employer would use such poor judgment in running this inaccurate story."

Ohio State suspended Meyer for the first three games of the 2018 season after an investigation found he did not do enough to investigate and report allegations of domestic abuse against Smith, his former wide receivers coach, by Smith's ex-wife, Courtney. Smith has vehemently denied all allegations of domestic violence and called out McMurphy for false reporting, most notably across multiple Twitter posts.

Trevon Grimes transferred from Ohio State to Florida in December. The NCAA granted Grimes a hardship waiver to play without forfeiting a year of eligibility. He's recorded 17 receptions for 194 yards and a touchdown.