OSU player assaults National Guard soldier

[SouthLink02 8]

http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article.../411150337/1042

CORVALLIS -- An Oregon State football player has been charged with assaulting an Oregon National Guard soldier after a fight resulting from racial comments about the soldier and his wife.

Joseph Rudulph, 19, a redshirt freshman defensive end from Sacramento, Calif., was arrested Friday after the confrontation early Friday morning at the Headline Cafe in downtown Corvallis.

Staff Sgt. Gabriel Sapp was dancing with his wife at the restaurant when they were approached by a group of black men, identified as Oregon State football players.

The men began making comments to Sapp's wife, who also is black, about her relationship with her husband, who is white, Corvallis police Capt. Jon Sassaman said.

"At some point, his wife was targeted with comments about why she was with a white male," Sassaman said. "This escalated into an argument that led outside."

According to witnesses, a large crowd gathered around the couple during the argument.

Sapp was punched in the face and was knocked unconscious when he hit the ground. His wife also was knocked to the ground when Sapp was struck.

Witnesses identified the attacker as Rudulph.

The football players fled the scene shortly before Sapp's wife flagged down a passing police car.

After gathering statements, police tracked down Rudulph at his residence. Sassaman said Rudulph admitted hitting Sapp, but claimed he was reacting to racial comments by Sapp.

Witness accounts, however, did not back up that statement, Sassaman said.

Rudulph faces assault, harassment and disorderly conduct charges.

University and team officials had no comment.

Sapp was celebrating his last night of leave with his wife at the restaurant.

Sapp is a squad leader assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team.

He left for Iraq on Friday.

[aumoore 0]

Racist come in all colors. This is just sad.

[WarDlowe 39]

This is a really sad story. I hate it for everyone involved.

[tombigbeetiger 223]

well,if the situation was reversed, it would be splattered all over the front pages of the newspapers.....since this is IRON BOWL week, i'd just rather not comment of the double standard that takes place every day in america.....you'll see this swept under the rug

[SouthLink02 8]

I hope this guy gets kicked off the team

[vatz22au 142]

This guy needs to be in the military instead of trying to pick on someone who is already serving. Im sure they would set him straight.