Two Akron Zips Football Players Stripped of Scholarships

Akron head coach Terry Bowden announced on Tuesday that safety Johnny Robinson and cornerback Donte Williams have been stripped of their scholarships, but will remain on the roster. The two Zips were arrested by sheriff deputies in Summer County (the county in Ohio where Akron is located) in early June and charged with aggravated rioting, which is a felony in the state of Ohio. A third player involved in the incident, running Bryan Green, did not lose his scholarship. All three players, who were suspended indefinitely after their arrests, returned to practice this week.

Robinson was also charged with aggravating menace, while Williams was charged with fleeing the scene and obstructing and resisting arrest. Bowden said in his statement that Robinson, who is normally a starter for the Zips, would not start in their opener against Howard University on August 28. The incident in question occurred outside a McDonalds in Akron two months prior to their arrests.

Robinson, a senior, has started 25 of 34 possible games over the past three seasons. His two interceptions were third on the team last season. Williams, who is also a senior, started three of the six games he played last season.