Mauk issues statement after getting dismissed from Mizzou Football
Updated (2:19 p.m.): Maty Mauk released a handwritten note on Twitter. In the note, Mauk writes, “There are no words to describe my disappointment. While I cannot provide you specifics about my future, there is one thing that I am very sure of- How incredibly thankful I am for the overwhelming support I have felt from the Athletics Department, the coaches, academics, my teammates and most of all from my fans.”
To read Mauk’s full statement, click the picture in the “related content” section of this article.
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COLUMBIA, Mo–Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk has been dismissed, Mizzou Football coach Barry Odom announced Thursday afternoon.
Mauk had been suspended indefinitely after a video surfaced of an individual, who resembled Mauk, sniffing a white powder off a table. Odom said, in a statement, the team believes the video was from a “long time ago.” Odom adds Mauk’s dismissal is for “violating team rules in recent weeks.”
The junior had been suspended three times in a span of four months. After the video surfaced on Monday, several of Mauk’s teammates rushed to his defense. Linebacker Michael Scherer tweeted, “yes the video is very old, yes Maty has been doing everything he can to be a better person.” Defensive tackle Harold Brantley tweeted, “If you speak ill of Matty, don’t speak to me.”
Mauk issued a statement on his Twitter account just before 2:00 Thursday. Mauk said in part “It is with a heavy heart I come to term with the fact that I will not be apart of this great University of Missouri athletic organization. Mauk also said “Please now my intent was never to bring any harm to the University of football program.”
Mauk, who is finishing his redshirt junior year, will have one year of eligibility remaining. If he graduates before the start of this upcoming season, he can play immediately for another school.
Below is a statement from Barry Odom, courtesy of Mizzou Athletics.
“I met with Maty Mauk this morning and informed him of my decision to permanently dismiss him from the football program. When I met with Maty back in December, I wanted to give him an opportunity for a fresh start, but I also made it very clear what our expectations would be moving forward. After gathering information and speaking with a number of individuals this week, it is clear Maty has failed to live up to those expectations by violating team rules in recent weeks.
As for the video appearing on social media this week, it is concerning, but we believe it is from a long time ago. However, Maty’s failure to live up to expectations in recent weeks was the reason for this decision.
We believe it is in his best interest to focus on his personal life and his academic career at this time. We remain committed to helping him work through the challenges and earn his degree. Our hope is that he will grow from this and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Mauk is the second quarterback to leave the team in 48 hours. Eddie Printz, who backed up both Mauk and freshman quarterback Drew Lock in his three seasons with the team, will transfer according to a Mizzou spokesperson.
The native of Kenton, OH came to Mizzou in 2012. He redshirted his freshman year and made his first collegiate start in 2013 against Florida. He also replaced an injured James Franklin in the 41-26 win over Georgia the previous week. Mauk helped his team win back-to-back SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014.
In 2015, Mauk came in as the starting quarterback. Mauk led Mizzou to a 3-1 record, but was suspended on September 29 for a violation of team rules. Mauk was reinstated by then-football coach Gary Pinkel on October 26 before he was suspended on November 1. Mauk had an altercation outside of Willie’s Fieldhouse in downtown Columbia the night of his initial reinstatement.
Barry Odom, who was hired to replace Pinkel, confirmed Mauk was reinstated on December 23. That led to this weeks events, when Mauk was suspended and later dismissed.
Stay with ABC 17 News for the latest on this story starting at 5 p.m. on KMIZ.
