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Gene Kennedy ReportingTwo local football players are getting lots of attention for all the wrong reasons.
A former BYU player is heading to jail. And there's an accusation against the University of Utah's quarterback.
In the U of U case, the timing couldn't be worse. It's definitely a distraction to go into a bowl game with accusations against your starting quarterback.
Salt Lake City prosecutors are investigating a complaint against Brett Ratliff. It is sexual in nature. That's about all prosecutor Sim Gill would say because at this point, it's only an allegation.
The Utes' head coach, Kyle Whittingham, also stressed that.
Kyle Whittingham / Head Coach, University of Utah: "The point in time we're at right now, it would be unfair to remove Brett from the football team."
Coach Whittingham says he talked with Ratliff personally not long after the accusation.
Kyle Whittingham / Head Coach, University of Utah: "Brett, uh... obviously this is a situation that is unfortunate. Brett certainly feels badly about what is being talked about."
Ratliff will continue to train and work with the team as normal. The Utes play Tulsa December 23rd at the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.
Meantime, in Utah County, a former BYU former player is not dealing with allegations. He's going to jail.
The Deseret Morning News reports former running back Marcus Whalen will serve 34 days in jail for violating parole.
He admitted assaulting a man over a debt. Whalen could have had a felony on his record but the judge allowed parole. Then, the former BYU player goes Germany to play football.
In light of that decision, Whalen will serve a longer sentence, plus an additional two years probation.
The judge told Whalen he doesn't want probation officers chasing him once he's out of jail. Whalen said he will cooperate.
