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Report: Stepdad says argument about agents preceded fight with Ole Miss OT Tunsil
Lindsey Miller, the stepfather of Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil, is reportedly alleging that he and Tunsil's mother were arguing about the Rebels star "riding around with football agents" before Tunsil assaulted him last week.
According to a Clarion-Ledger story Tuesday that cited a police report, Miller told a deputy that he tried to shake Tunsil’s hand when Tunsil entered the house but Tunsil pushed him against a wall and began hitting him.
Police reportedly arrived at the scene of the incident at 7:19 p.m. on Thursday. Miller apparently told deputy Rudy Howell of the Lafayette County (Miss.) Sheriff's Department that "Tunsil and the agents" left in a yellow convertible.
"We are aware that Laremy and his family have met with potential agents, which is within his NCAA rights as a student-athlete," Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said in a statement to the Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday. "Regarding the altercation, we will continue to gather facts and cooperate with the proper authorities."
Simply meeting with an agent does not constitute a violation of NCAA rules, but accepting benefits or entering into an agreement might compromise a student-athlete's amateur status.
Over the weekend, Freeze verified Tunsil had been arrested and claimed the player was acting in defense of his mom, Desiree Tunsil.
“We can confirm that Laremy Tunsil turned himself in and was arrested for a misdemeanor, domestic violence-simple assault," Freeze said in a statement given to ESPN. "The incident occurred Thursday night and involves Laremy defending his mother against his stepfather.”
"His stepfather shoved his mom and Laremy punched him," a source told ESPN. "It's as simple as that. He was defending his mother."
According to the Clarion-Ledger, Miller contends he did not push Desiree Tunsil.
Miller has requested and been granted a restraining order against Laremy Tunsil, the Clarion-Ledger reports. Miller’s two sons are reportedly included in the order as people to be protected.
Sheriffs department officials told ESPN that Laremy Tunsil is pressing assault and domestic violence charges against his stepfather and that both men have a court date scheduled for July 14.
Miller's son, Derek, reportedly told police that his father and Desiree Tunsil were arguing when Laremy Tunsil entered the house and pushed Lindsey Miller against a wall. Derek Miller reportedly said his father fell to the ground and that Laremy Tunsil got on top of Lindsey Miller and began hitting him.
Tunsil is entering his third season with the Rebels and was named an All-SEC (first team) pick by The Associated Press last season. The junior is working his way back from broken leg and dislocated ankle endured in the team’s 42-3 Peach Bowl loss vs. TCU.
