As the Nebraska football team prepares to kickoff spring football practices Nebraska Head Football Coach Scott Frost on Tuesday addressed the legal situation involving running back Maurice Washington.
Frost says the running back from California will be a "limited participant" at spring practice this season. Washington is accused of keeping and sending a video of his ex-girlfriend’s reported sexual assault to her and is charged under California's revenge porn law.
The video was taken while the victim was a minor. Frost also says he believes the university handled the situation appropriately when they were made aware of an incident involving Washington last fall.
"Anytime there is an investigation or our players are questioned in any way, it’s our job to step back and let the legal process run its course, co-operate any way we can," Frost says. "There weren’t any charges in the fall. I knew the little that was told to me in the fall, and that’s he was wanted for questioning. Knew very little beyond that, and I don’t think it’s my place to do investigations. In fact, that's where a lot of people get into trouble. This will run its course and justice will be served, and I don’t think anyone could have done any different last fall.”
Frost says he will wait and see how the legal process plays out, but that they are currently trying to keep Washington in as much of a routine as possible. “Any time anybody in our team behaves in a way that isn’t consistent with the values of our team or our university they run the risk of losing playing time or putting their status on the team in jeopardy. But to me, it’s important to have a complete understanding of the situation before the decision is made. And just to be clear, that decision isn’t made by me, it’s made by myself in conjunction with the University.”
Washington is still awaiting a California court appearance on a felony charge.