Lawsuit filed against OU players

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Two Oklahoma City men have filed a lawsuit against seven University of Oklahoma football players, whom they allege struck, pushed and kicked them during a rowdy party on campus.

Thursday, January 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Two Oklahoma City men have filed a lawsuit against seven University of Oklahoma football players, whom they allege struck, pushed and kicked them during a rowdy party on campus. The lawsuit by Joseph P. Cramer III and Dustin D. Brown was filed in Cleveland County District Court.

The men are seeking $10,000 each from Jarrail Jackson, Corey Callens, Johnnie Balous, Nick Simpson, Ontei Jones, Michael Thornton and Anthony Davis. The plaintiffs allege the seven players attacked them without provocation, knocked the pair to the ground and kicked them in the head, face, legs, arms, chest and ribs. The suit also alleges that the defendants beat the pair with crutches. Two of the players were injured at the time. The plaintiffs claim they were disabled and disfigured in the attack.

Campus police used pepper spray to subdue a fight that broke out early Nov. 14 during a fraternity function at the OU Armory. According to police reports, authorities became concerned about the size of the crowd inside the armory, which officers estimate had grown to 800. OU police shut down the party and told people to leave. Minutes later, another fight broke out. It is unclear which fight allegedly involved the players.

Police said the incident, which occurred at approximately 1 a.m., was alcohol-related. According to an OU football media guide; Jackson is a senior wide receiver from Houston, Texas; Callens is a junior defensive tackle from Jenks; Balous is a senior running back from Carthage, Texas, and Simpson is a sophomore linebacker from Houston, Texas. Jones is a junior strong safety from Homestead, Fla. At the time of the incident he was out for the season with a knee injury. Thornton, a senior running back from Dallas, was recovering from an ankle injury. Davis is a senior linebacker from El Reno.