Illinois DT Chris Jones Suspended Following Aggravated Battery Arrest

Illinois DT Chris Jones has been suspended indefinitely by head coach Ron Zook following an arrest for aggravated battery, according to spokesman Kent Brown. Jones was arrested over the weekend for assaulting two men. Earlier reports claim that Jones attacked the men for their sexual orientation, but now Jones is saying, according to the Associated Press (via the Sporting News), that the two men had attacked him earlier in the week. Other reports claim that just one of the men “jumped” Jones.

However, the case against Jones is for aggravated assault rather than a hate crime because a longer jail sentence is possible should a conviction take place. Jones has yet to enter a plea in the case.

On Sunday, Illinois defensive tackle Chris Jones was arrested by Champaign police for allegedly striking two men. An especially troubling allegation is that Jones attacked the two men, aged 28 and 19, because of their sexual orientation.

Whether Jones himself used such language or was motivated by such sentiment isn’t yet clear. If proven true, the offense would fall under the category of a hate crime.