A day after he was charged with assault and domestic violence, Ohio State senior linebacker Storm Klein has been dismissed from the football team.
Klein was arrested on Friday and plead not guilty to the charges Saturday morning. The seriousness of the charges propmpted Meyer's decision to remove Klein from the team.
“The charges filed against Storm Klein violate the core values of the Ohio State Football Program,” Meyer said in a statement. “As a result, Storm has been removed from the team. It has been made very clear that this type of charge will result in dismissal. If there are any changes in the charges, we will re-evaluate his status.”
Klein spent the night in jail and was released on his own recognizance following his arraignment. He was ordered to have no contact with his alleged victim, to not consume alcohol or drugs and have no further acts of violence.
The prosecution claims Klein wrapped his arms around a former girlfriend, causing scrapes to her forearms, and then threw her against a door, causing her head to hit the door. The prosecution said there is photographic evidence of the injuries.
Klein's attorney said the alleged victim showed up unannounced to Klein's apartment to talk about their relationship and proceeded to cause a commotion. Klein then forcibly moved her outside the apartment and locked the door.
Klein, a three-year letterman, played in 38 games, starting 10, during a three-year career at middle linebacker. He was limited most of the spring because of an injury and was passed by Curtis Grant on the depth chart.
Klein is the third Buckeye this summer to run into legal trouble. On June 2, Jake Stoneburner and Jack Mewhort were charged with obstructing official business after urinating on the side of a building in Shawnee Hills, Ohio, the week of the Memorial Tournament. The duo lost their scholarships and were suspended from all team activies.
Klein is the third player to be dismissed by Meyer since he was named head coach in November, joining Dominic Clarke and DerJuan Gambrell, who were each removed from the team in January.
