Running back Michel Dukes of the University of South Florida (USF) football team has been kicked off the team for good after being arrested for domestic violence
Dukes is accused of choking someone during a domestic violence incident that happened near the USF campus over the weekend. Here is more you need to know about it.
Who is USF RB Michel Dukes arrested for domestic violence: Bio, age, stats, college
The person who was hurt said that Dukes got physical with her after a fight. Dukes was taken into custody by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with domestic abuse by strangulation.
“We have taken the immediate step of suspending him indefinitely from the team as we continue to gather more information and the proper authorities investigate the matter,” USF athletics said in a statement following the arrest. “We will have no further statement at this time.”
USF running back Michel Dukes’ football career and stats
Dukes first played college football at Clemson in 2019, but he moved to USF before the start of the 2018 season. He played 11 games for the Bulls in 2022, gaining 188 yards on the ground and scoring five touchdowns, which was the second-most touchdowns on the team. Also, he caught eight passes for a total of 72 yards.
Dukes, 22, was arrested and booked on April 29 near the USF campus and was was released on bail on April 30 after posting a $2,000 surety bond. Dukes played three seasons with the Clemson Tigers (2019 to 2022) before moving to USF.
2 Days Until BYU
#2 Michel Dukes
✅5-10 | 197 | RB | Junior
✅From Charleston, S.C.
✅Transfer from Clemson
✅Ranked by 247Sports as one of the top 50 running backs in the nation
✅Ranked as the #13 best player at any position in SC
✅Rushed for 212 yards and two TDs at Clemson pic.twitter.com/KWSGGNECEW— 🤘Sidelines-USF🤘 (@SSN_USF) September 1, 2022
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated that the crime happened on Saturday and that the victim said he or she was strangled. Dukes is no longer in jail, but the probe is still going on.
After the Michel Dukes arrest, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement, “We do not tolerate domestic violence. There is never a reason or excuse for this type of behavior. Our Victim Advocates will ensure this individual gets connected with any and all resources.”
A serious issue of domestic violence in the United States
Domestic violence is a major problem in the United States that affects millions of people every year. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says that one in three women and one in four men have been physically hurt by a close partner at some point in their lives. Also one in seven women and one in 25 men have also been hurt by someone they live with.
The fact that USF took Michel Dukes off the football team shows that domestic violence has no place in our society. It is very important that people who cause domestic violence are held responsible for what they do and that victims get the help they need to heal and move on. Also as the investigation into Dukes’ case goes on, it is important that the right people get all the information they need and that justice is done.