Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Kyle Whittingham Relieved Players Will Be OK After Being Shot at Weekend Party

Brian Grimmett
University of Utah Football Coach Kyle Whittingham addresses the media September 14, 2015

University of Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham addressed the media on Monday for the first time since two of his players were shot while at a party over the weekend.

While Coach Kyle Whittingham answered a few questions, he wouldn’t explain any details about the shooting involving Sophomore tight end Lo Falemaka and freshman running back Marcel Brooks-Brown.

“The bottom line there is that we’re very, very fortunate and blessed that they’re both OK," he said. "It could have been worse. It could have been a lot worse.”

According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, Falemaka and Brooks-Brown were shot after an altercation at a party near the University. The two men were shot in the torso, but are expected to recover. Brooks-Brown has already been released from the Hospital, and Whittingham said he’ll likely return to the team this year.

He also said he’ll address the incident with his team, but doesn’t plan on changing any rules or restrictions about players going to parties.

“We’ve had those discussions probably six or seven thousand times," he said." But we’ll definitely have it again in our team meeting. That’s constant reminders to the players to stay out of bad situations and to make good decisions. I think that’s pretty common with any football team.”

Officers from the Salt Lake City police department have not made any arrests and are still looking for three male suspects. Detectives from the gang unit responded to the scene and are leading the investigation. 

KUER is listener-supported public radio. Support this work by making a donation today.