MU football players defend Mauk after video leads to suspension
(Updated 12:48 p.m. Tuesday)–Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk is suspended indefinitely, according to Mizzou Football. But his teammates are publicly stating their support for the junior.
Mauk’s latest suspension comes hours after a video surfaced on social media. An individual, who looks similar to the Missouri quarterback, is seen snorting a white powder substance off a table. At least two MU football players posted on twitter implying Mauk is the person in the video.
On Tuesday, Mizzou Linebacker Michael Scherer posted a tweet that said “yes the video of Maty was old, yes Maty has been doing everything he can to be a better person.”
Scherer continued his support for Mauk in another tweet, saying, “Yes you should look at yourself in the mirror before pointing out someone else’s problems. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.”
Missouri Wide Receiver Keyon Dilosa also posted a statement on Twitter that said in part, “Maty made a mistake and everyone has made mistakes in their lives he’s still growing just like each of us on this team and on this campus.”
Dilosa also said “Being a collegiate football player means that you are in the public eye always, people want you to be the bad guy and it just so happened that someone had that video from years ago and could release it at any moment and potentially ruin one of my family members live.”
Diolsa also said in the statement “Not every football player is a bad guy and I know for a fact that Maty Mauk isn’t one.”
MU Defensive Lineman Harold Brantly also tweeted Tuesday saying “If you speak ill of Maty Mauk Don’t speak to me.”
ABC 17 reached out to the team just before 10 p.m. Monday for a comment after the video circulated.
Below is a joint statement from MU Football coach Barry Odom and Missouri Athletic Director Mack Rhoades: “We are currently currently gathering information regarding the video in question. This is an issue we take seriously and one that will not be tolerated within our program. We will take appropriate action once we have all the facts. In the interim, Maty Mauk has been indefinitely suspended from the Mizzou Football program.”
This is Mauk’s third suspension since September. Mauk was suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules on September 29. In late October, Mauk was reinstated by then-Mizzou Football coach Gary Pinkel. On November 1, the team suspended Mauk again, this time for the entire 2015 season. The team said Mauk’s second suspension was a violation of team rules. However, Mauk was involved in a late night incident outside Willie’s Fieldhouse the night of his first reinstatement, according to the Columbia establishment.
Editor’s note: ABC 17 obtained the video in question at 9 p.m. Monday. But we cannot verify its authenticity. Therefore, we are not publishing the video at this moment.
