Another University of Minnesota athlete is under criminal investigation. Authorities at the 'U' say they're looking into an allegation of an assault by a football player.
On Halloween night, Neena Rachael says it was no trick that left her with bruises all over her body and it was no treat to call police.
"It's hard to know that I was completely helpless," says Neena.
Neena asked us not to show her face, fearing for her safety.
Rachael says she was out with friends that night and got a ride home with them, with a U of M Gopher football player serving as designated driver. She had never met him, but her friends knew him and his girlfriend was there too.
Neena says somehow she and the girlfriend got into an argument and the Gopher player allegedly stepped in.
"He got in the middle of her yelling at me and then he grabbed me by the neck and threw me across the wall, just chucked me... and then I fell to the ground...he picked me up by the waist and threw me 6 times against it again," says Neena.
Rachael says she and her friend were both injured in the alleged assault. The player was neither arrested nor charged, so KARE 11 is not revealing his name and University of Minnesota athletics officials say his story about what happened is very different.
The incident is a 'he said - she said', but one police say they are taking seriously.
"The investigators have the case and I'm sure at some point they'll be talking to the witnesses, the suspect and the victim," says Sgt. Jesse Garcia with the Minneapolis Police Department.
KARE 11 tried to reach the player accused in the alleged Halloween night assault, but we were unsuccessful.
What reportedly happened Halloween night is the latest in a series of incidents that have some questioning alleged conduct by some U of M athletes. Last week, basketball players Royce White and Devron Bostick were suspended for violating team rules. White was cited for misdemeanor theft and assault after alleging shoplifting from Macy's.
Now University police are investigating a call about a laptop stolen from a residence hall. White is said to be a suspect.
At this point, athletics department officials say they won't comment unless a player has been arrested or charged.
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