Purify Arrested

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Purify Arrested

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Lincoln
Reporter: KOLN/KGIN
Email Address: desk@kolnkgin.com

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Lincoln Police arrested Husker wide receiver Maurice Purify after a disturbance in a Lincoln bar at 11:50 p.m. Saturday.

Police say Purify was arrested on two counts of assault and one count of resisting arrest.

Police say Purify and a friend were denied admittance by a doorman at a Lincoln bar Saturday night.

Later Saturday night, at a different bar, the Alley Bar, 1031 M Street, police say Purify saw the same doorman and confronted him.

Police say Purify threw a punch at the man. Police also say Purify also assaulted the man's girlfriend when she intervened.

When police arrived, they say Purify didn't comply with their orders.

Purify was taken to jail and was let out on bond early Sunday afternoon.

In a statement released by University of Nebraska Athletic Department Media Relations, Coach Bill Callahan said, "I'm very concerned about this current situation. I am still in the process of gathering all the facts. I will determine the appropriate consequences when due process has transpired. Until such time, I will have no further comment regarding the situation."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Kris Location: Omaha on Nov 26, 2007 at 08:50 PM
Let's clean up the Huskers' reputation and get rid of the players who think it's their right to act like idiots and break laws.

Posted by: Fan Location: Orange Park, FL on May 15, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I went to school in Lincoln for five years and worked at the "O" street bars for 2. Anybody that says football players and athletes are "targeted" by police has to be out of their minds. The athletes get much more leeway. It just so happens that they (Purify) tend to take this leeway for granted and then make stupid decisions. Mo needs to be punished harshly.

Posted by: jessie Location: lincoln on May 14, 2007 at 10:33 AM
I think it will happen a lot more because Lincoln is to restricted!

Posted by: Brandi on May 11, 2007 at 06:18 PM
It's a shame our huskers have to act like idiots when they're out in public. Theyre only makin themselves look bad. They shoudl save all the pushin and shovin for the field and maybe we'd have ourselves another national championship....

Posted by: Thomas Location: Omaha on May 11, 2007 at 02:05 PM
It doesn't really matter if or why he was denied entrance to a different club, nor does it matter what was said before the assault. The idea that physical violence is an acceptable response to an adverse social condition just shows how stupid Purify and his supporters are. "Waah...he disrespected me...therefore I get to assault him!" Purify is getting a free education, free meals, free room and board and an audition to play a child's game for money and he isn't intelligent or man enough to walk away from a fight? The idiot deserves whatever he gets. Stupid idiot.

Posted by: jjhusker Location: Lincoln on May 10, 2007 at 06:03 PM
Scotty is right.....fights go on every night in bars across Lincoln. Husker players get targeted for every little incident..."guys on the team", now don't be throwing paper cups at cars? Lincoln or Lincoln Police can't handle that kind of violence! Geesh...

Posted by: Gunner Location: Surprise,Az. on May 9, 2007 at 11:04 PM
A few years back a guy named Bobby Moore aka Ahmad Rashad got nailed so I wrote a note to the Eugene Register Guard telling them the Ducks should follow the example of a school like Nebraska, and shortly there after a fellow named Johnny Rodgers got nailed and I swore I would never say another word about football players and the treatment they should or shouldn't get, as we all know how these guys turned out maybe we should play the odds and give him a spanking, stand his a-- in the corner and move on.

Posted by: Ken Location: Hastings on May 9, 2007 at 10:25 PM
My apologies to the victim and his friends. I thought (from what I read) that both incidents had happened in the same night, and that the doorman/bouncer was looking for trouble later in the same night. I read later that the incidents were a week apart. The article I read here, says it all happened in the same night. I hope that all is well for the young man and his girlfriend. As for Maurice, I hope that he learns to control his temper and keep himself out of trouble. In my opinion, he needs to be dealt with as both a citizen and a football player. As I have said earlier, sports figures are looked upon as leaders and examples by so many people (especially children), they should not be allowed to go out of control because they are some great athlete. As for all the fans who are so worried about winning or losing and how we can't make it without Maurice on the football field: THE HUSKERS HAVE WON SEVERAL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS LONG BEFORE MAURICE PURIFY EVER PUT ON A HUSKER UNIFORM!! We need to have a great football team that everyone can be proud of. A team who is just as good off the field as they are on it.

Posted by: JJhusker Location: Lincoln on May 9, 2007 at 06:57 PM
Same old story, was the doorman white????

Posted by: Mitch Location: Lincoln on May 9, 2007 at 05:43 PM
We need Mo P if we are going to have a shot at doing anything this year. Next to Keller he is the most important peice of the puzzle. So I hope he does get special treatment and if he gets booted I am going to sell my tickets because we won't be nearly as good

Posted by: Tony Location: Omaha on May 9, 2007 at 04:20 PM
This is for Kim in Lincoln. If you think that college football has bad role models for your children, then maybe you shouldnt let your children watch any sports at all. If you think that college football is to blame for this you are wrong.. In NASCAR there are fights in the pits all the time. In hockey there are fights on the ice all the time. In the NBA there are fights between playres and fans. In the NFL players are being arrested for shooting up clubs. There are many things wrong with sports in general. This is where parents come in. We as parents need to educate our children what is acceptable and what is not. Don't point the finger at one particular sport or orginazation, point the finger at your children and use these examples as a teachind aide. Your children will listen.

Posted by: Scotty Location: Lincoln on May 9, 2007 at 01:13 PM
I worked at PO Pears back in the 80's and broke up a lot of fights. It doesn't matter if it's a football player or ag student - 21 year old guys get into fights at bars sometimes. It's not like Purify and the bouncer exchanged gunfire, good grief everyone take a step back and not be so dramatic, if he wasn't on the football team no one would care and it woundn't be in the news.

Posted by: Tim Location: Lincoln on May 9, 2007 at 06:29 AM
Coach Callahan said he is tired of purify

Posted by: Kim Location: Lincoln on May 9, 2007 at 12:38 AM
And people wonder why I don't like college football. Here is just ONE MORE REASON!!!!I have a 10 year old son and this is what UNL offers up as role models?? It sickens me!!!!!

Posted by: Husker Fan Location: Jacksonville on May 8, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Having Purify is not as important as teaching young men what is and is not appropriate behavior. While it is wrong to rush to any judgement either way on this issue, those that are worried only about the season need to realize there is more to life than Husker football. Its called the Rule of Law. Hopefully Mo is innocent but if he is not, he should be kicked off the team.

Posted by: Ken Location: Hastings, Ne. on May 7, 2007 at 11:02 PM
Maurice Purify is a great receiver. Probably the most talented the Huskers have ever had. Unfortunately, he will also be known for his off the field problems now as well. Why was the bouncer (who denied him enterance at another bar) there? It sounds to me like maybe he was looking for trouble. Bottom line though, Mo should know better and needs to be dealt with. I don't know what the fair consequence for his actions are, but I would think a 1 or 2 game suspension. When you are a leader, you need to show others how to lead by your example. You stay out of trouble. Zac Taylor was a great example of a true leader, hopefully Maurice can learn from his mistakes and one day be that kind of leader!

Posted by: Ken Location: Iowa on May 7, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Stay out of the bars and this won't happen.

Posted by: Friend of Victims Location: Lincoln on May 7, 2007 at 09:47 PM
I was also at the bar, talking to the couple before it happened, outside where it happened. I was literally a picnic table across from Maurice and my friend. They were calmly talking before Maurice snapped and pushed my friend towards the wall and on the picnic table where he proceeded to hold my friend down and throw punches. The girlfriend was yelling for Maurice to stop, and my friend was defending himself while laying on his back on the seat of the picnic table... It is true that my friend had taken Maurice's friend's fake ID a WEEK earlier. And my friend was being incredibly friendly with Maurice before this happened. So those are THE facts, I was the closest to them, and those who may have been at the bar and say that my friend did anything wrong did not hear their conversation before, during and after. What disgusts me about this whole thing is that someone would write "good luck to the door guy" ... which in itself is almost a threat. My friend is a huge Husker football fan - and is friends with MANY of them, no way would he want to start any problems... He was bottom line doing his job and Maurice had some animosity. Maurice is a public figure and should be able to keep his cool no matter the situation - and this behavior should not be tolerated. There are 5 other witnesses who gave a statement of the event who are completely unknown to us who would agree with what I am writing. These are D1 players who should not be starting these problems. When you write "We need solid Husker Fans" are you saying they can act anyway they like and get away with anything just because they are a Husker football player (see Anderson and the baseball team.) I dont think so. I do believe that Maurice made a big mistake, but it happens, he should be repremanded and lets all move on.

Posted by: fan Location: Lincoln on May 7, 2007 at 09:27 PM
First of all to all of the jersey chasers out there get a life...the kid did something wrong bottom line. The media is wrong once again...the incident at the other bar happend the previous weekend and purify was allowed to enter...except his acquaintance was denied entrance for uing a fake id...all the jersey chasers need to get off the doormans back he was doing his job...it like you people are making it out to be that the doorman and lpd hate football players...comon this is nebraska everyone is a fan and wants to see the team do well

Posted by: James Location: Elkhorn on May 7, 2007 at 08:45 PM
I think the people at the bar on Saturday night should step up and tell people what REALLY happened if this is all true about the doorman knowing the cop and such.

Posted by: Lou Location: Kansas City on May 7, 2007 at 08:23 PM
There's no place on our team or university for this kind of behavior. Lucky the police took charge before things really got out of hand.

Posted by: Herbert Location: Iowa on May 7, 2007 at 08:14 PM
I think this is a good sign. When was the last time we had two players with court appearances in one year? Didn't we win a national championship? At least we have moved on to hitting someone else's girlfriend. Joking aside, seems like there are a very few people in Lincoln that would really like to feed their own ego at the expense of players that are willing to put in all on the line for us. Hang in there guys, there are a lot of us that support you.

Posted by: jim Location: west des moines iowa on May 7, 2007 at 05:11 PM
sounds like the lincoln nazis are at it again

Posted by: Gabe Location: Nebraska on May 7, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Well lets wait and get ALL the facts and then make the judgement

Posted by: Jim Location: Lincoln on May 7, 2007 at 04:26 PM
Big boy. Big ego. Big attitude. Big, fat, hairy deal. I still have to go to work in the morning.

Posted by: Bishop-Lincoln Promoter Location: Lincoln on May 7, 2007 at 04:14 PM
First of all this man is innocent until proven guilty of these charges. So please lets not judge him until we receive the facts. Lincoln media and police tend to glorify these situations when they really are not that bad at all. Perfect example is the Opulence situation last year. They made an altercation into a so-called "riot." I was there and witnessed 33 cops show up at Opulence and 2-3 people arrested for a fight. Not Hardly a riot. But you see the effect is to make these situations bigger than they really are. Maurice Purify has somewhat of a celebrity status

Posted by: Justin Location: Lincoln on May 7, 2007 at 04:03 PM
I know who the bouncer is and he is the type of person who would try and get a reaction from Purify.

Posted by: Scott Location: Omaha on May 7, 2007 at 02:36 PM
I hope that what Nick said was true. It is sad that some people have a axe to grind with these guys. For all of you that say he deserves what he gets: Football players and all athletes deserve the benefits they get just for this exact reason. All Student atheltes deal with pressures that the normal college student will never understand.

Posted by: wisconsin/husker Location: wi on May 7, 2007 at 02:03 PM
While attending the University during undergraduate and graduate work I was allowed to experience campus life, social life and "Husker Football". All of which I keep for myself as wonderful experiences. Many disagreements occur between individuals and go unnoticed. When a disgruntled individual goes out of his way to disrupt a person who is from out-of-state, attending the University for academic gain, playing football in Lincoln for our benefit, then gets "caught" in a situation that argueably occurs throughout the city and on campus each weekend, I can only imagine how recruiters representing other football programs will take advantage of this. We need solid "Husker" fans, not individuals looking for their day in the newspaper. Go UNL, Go Big Red!! Good luck to the doorman, I suggest he consider attending the University. wisconsin/husker

Posted by: Dennis Location: California on May 7, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Police today have a tendency to LIE. Just wait for the facts.

Posted by: steve Location: Sacramento on May 7, 2007 at 01:43 PM
To most of the perfect people posting comments here, do as Devaney would say, "it's over, now everyone go back to work".

Posted by: Matt Location: Seatlle on May 7, 2007 at 01:27 PM
I'm curious as to why they were denied admittance to the bar. If they were of age and hadn't caused any problems before, there should be no reason for the doorman to deny them.

Posted by: Perry Location: Battle Creek on May 7, 2007 at 12:11 PM
If he did what is being reported, sit him for the season. This kind of BS should not be tolerated at all. We need to be responsible for our own actions. Send a message to all that if you mess up (not the word i was thinking of) you sit. They need to ask themselves what their priorties are? God/family/education/football? like T.O.? Or Hoodlumism/bar scene/football...

Posted by: ben Location: kansas city on May 7, 2007 at 12:03 PM
i really hope purify doesnt end up like Evans or Phillips we really need him this season

Posted by: BHL Location: Lincoln on May 7, 2007 at 11:45 AM
I was at the Bar at the time that happened. Story is not completely accurate. See Nick's post below.

Posted by: Scott Location: Delaware, OH on May 7, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Great, another Lawrence Phillips.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Colorado on May 7, 2007 at 08:30 AM
If Purify laid hands on the bouncer first, and then continued to be out of control with Police. OUCH If the bouncer antagonized and laid hands on Purify first. Grey area. Police should never take sides in these matters. but when Purify did not comply with police. OUCH

Posted by: Matt Location: Texas on May 7, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Very, very sad. Looks more like overzealous, psychotic Lincoln police with an agenda again . Sad, really.

Posted by: Scott Location: 67801 on May 7, 2007 at 05:43 AM
The star or football player or whatever has to avoid situations like this. If someone taunts you, walk away. Stay sober. Too bad most kids don't understand this yet.

Posted by: BK on May 7, 2007 at 01:59 AM
OK, OK...we all know the mentality of Downtown Lincoln bouncers. I am positive there are two stories. Remember too, Lincoln cops are received their training as Bouncers...

Posted by: Kate Location: Lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 11:45 PM
I was at the Alley last night and saw Mo get arrested... he was definitely resisting and deserves what he gets... football players get undeserved special treatment at the University and by law enforcement, and I'd love to see one of them treated like every other citizen would in this situation.

Posted by: josh Location: memphis on May 6, 2007 at 10:59 PM
why were they "denied admittance by a doorman "?and no matter the answer it shouldn't determine whether he gets to play,the university wasn't paying him to "sell cars" and i mean come on look at the morons playing in the NFL.it should only mess with where he goes in the draft.not that i agree with this but it is what i've heard and seen.

Posted by: Scott Location: Lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 09:00 PM
I hope he is kicked off the team, because too many times a player thinks he is above the law. Nebraksa has had this guy before (Phillips) and the university doesn't need a rep like that again.

Posted by: Lon Location: Las Vegas on May 6, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Hey, look at it this way, the last time we had big name players building rap sheets, we won the National Championship!!!!

Posted by: bill Location: lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 08:54 PM
i hope he can play this season

Posted by: jobe Location: lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 08:34 PM
i was there, the police report is completely wrong.

Posted by: Bill Location: 68007 on May 6, 2007 at 07:00 PM
Why would Mo Purify do such a thing i mean yea it was "cinco de mayo" but come on! if he dosent play till after the USC game im gonna go mad. many husker fans were looking for a great season this coming year now that this happened i dont know what to expect lets just hope its not a serious consequence.

Posted by: John Location: KC on May 6, 2007 at 06:59 PM
Another stupid football player thinks he's a God.

Posted by: bob Location: lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 06:55 PM
typical Lincoln Cops

Posted by: michael Location: aurora, Illinois on May 6, 2007 at 06:35 PM
Why, oh why are ANY of these players, of age or not, going to a "bar". Stay completely away from problems...drink water or something else...We can try to shift the blame but reality says that any major college players has and should have higher expectations on them because they are athletes.

Posted by: Randy Location: Lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 06:23 PM
So the doorman works two bars on the same night? I guess we will excuse anything as long as there starters now? The excuses that are soon to follow will be fun to see. Don't worry Football apologists I'm sure he can run a few laps to atone for his actions and will be forgiven my September. Worst case scenario he misses a half of a non conference game against SE Lousiana polytechnic state vocation school of the immaculate heart.

Posted by: ash Location: lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 06:18 PM
You already know what's going to happen in this situation, SAME O' SMAME O' just because he play's husker football, anybody else would be JAILED and FINED, this has been going on for decade's in this University,and yes I know this goes on in other university's but why doe's nebraska alway's have to follow the crowd and never lead on there OWN!.

Posted by: mike Location: lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Say it isn't so .... Mo

Posted by: Nick Location: Lincoln on May 6, 2007 at 05:22 PM
I was one of many people at the bar last night when the situation transpired and Purify was not the only one who should have been arrested last night. The doorman that denied him earlier in the night at another bar was trying to get a reaction out of Purify and was not arrested because he knew one of the cops that reported to the scene. Thats pretty sad that he was released simply because he knew the cop, especially since he was just as responsible for the events that transpired. And as far as the girl who is pressing charges, she could have just as easily been hit by her own boyfriend because she jumped in while both of them were going after each other.