Florida WR Chris Rainey arrested for stalking
Florida Gators redshirt junior wide receiver Chris Rainey was arrested and charged with aggravated stalking by Gainesville Police early Tuesday morning.
According to the police report, Rainey contacted a local woman he had been dating sporadically for approximately three years and allegedly visited her home when she did not answer a phone call. When she did not come to the door immediately, Rainey began calling and texting her, eventually allegedly saying, “I’m here and I will bust out the window.” After speaking to him for about 10 minutes, she asked him to leave, later receiving a text message from Rainey which read, “Time to die, b—h.”
Fearing for her sibling’s safety, the woman’s sister called the police, who instructed her to call Rainey to tell him that the officers wished to speak with him. Upon receiving that call, Rainey allegedly told the woman, “Wait and see what happens when they leave.” He was subsequently arrested when officers visited his on-campus residence.
Rainey, charged with a third-degree felony, admitted to sending the text message but not to making the latter statement. After spending the night in jail, he was released on his own recognizance by Alachua County Judge Denise R. Ferrero just before 11 a.m. with a warning not to contact the woman. Ferrero also ordered Rainey to maintain a curfew of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with an exception for school or work.
“I don’t think this is a felony for sure,” Rainey’s attorney, Huntley Johnson, told the Orlando Sentinel Tuesday afternoon. “I think that we can come to a resolution that will minimize any long term consequences for Mr. Rainey. I don’t think the lady was ever in any danger, and I know Mr. Rainey and I think he’s a hell of a nice young man and I assure you that he would never hurt this woman.”
“It’s not near as bad as it looks,” Johnson said separately to the Palm Beach Post. “I think that this is going to end up being a minor bump in the road for Chris. In the long run, it would be appropriate, based on what I know, for him to be back on the team at some point this season. I’d be surprised if he’s not. I think it means an awful lot to him to be a student at Florida and it means a hell of a lot to be a player. He’s still a student at Florida, but he’s not on the team, so he has mixed feelings.”
Johnson also spoke to the Associated Press about Rainey, calling him a “terrific kid who works his rear end off” both academically and athletically. “My early sense is this will be something less than a third-degree felony,” he said. “I think this will turn out to be what I think this is, which is something minor. I don’t think that the statute was intended for this kind of thing. [...] I think this is something that will pass. He never intended for this to happen nor would he ever hurt this woman. He cares deeply about this woman. He didn’t handle it like he should have. He knows that. Hopefully this will end up being a bump in the road.”
In court on Tuesday, the woman said she neither feared for her safety nor intended to have Rainey arrested when she called the police. “We just needed someone to diffuse the situation. I did not want to have him arrested last night. When the police came, I signed papers to not press any charges,” she said. “I don’t fear for my safety. I think he should be released on his own recognizance. [...] People all over the country have been calling my cell phone. I’m not afraid of him. I’m more afraid of all the repercussions.”
Aggravated stalking, as defined by Florida state law, is charged to “Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks another person, and makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury of the person.”
Under the Florida statute, a third-degree felony aggravated battery charge carries with it a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine (plus court costs).
Tuesday afternoon, Gators offensive coordinator Steve Addazio spoke about the player’s status. “Chris Rainey is not a part of our team right now,” Addazio said.
OGGOA will continue updating this story. Last update: 7:45 p.m.
Isn’t it time for Meyer to come down hard on a star player? Rainey deserves to be kicked off the team. All these arrests are embarassing and needs to stop. Let’s leave the morons to Miami and Fsu.
These players take to much for granted. I hope Coach is a lot harder on Rainey than Coach was on Hammond. It is time to get serious about players who want to do stupid things and get arrested.
As of right now “it is (not) good to be Chris Rainey.”
I think his days are numbered at the University of Florida, at the least I don’t think he will see the field the rest of the year
Hey there Matt, I understand fan loyalty I get it and yes Meyer, needs to cut this one, but to say leave the morons to Miami and FSU… come on now fan or not these are all Florida teams and they represent our wonderful state…Yes, Florida Gators are great and all but respect the other Florida teams…they might not be a grand as they use to be…but really love the Gators…but well just my opinion… I live in Gainesville, but morons are morons no matter who they play for and every team from, pee wees to the pros, lest we forget Mr. Vick….and they took him back… so who is the real moron the players or the coaches who let them play as if they never did anything wrong…ok so he “paid” for his mistakes… only because he got caught… otherwise sir… he would be doing the same thing and who knows could be in a whole new light…but morons right….
I’d say Rainey’s junior season is toast.
He should be kicked off the team for good but at a minimum he should be suspended for the year. There is no excuse or context for those threats.
Rainey is probably done, but didn’t he just get a concussion? Maybe it knocked the sense out of him.
What an idiot, way to ruin your future. Hope Meyer kicks him off the team and hopefully this serves as an example to other players.
Urban Meyer has been tough on players. Don’t you guys remember a certain QB cut for stealing. I do believe Cam Newton is starting for Auburn now, and doing extremely well. The University of Florida has one of the highest codes of conduct of any school out there. The couches/administrators do not hesitate to punish players who act out. Do your homework.
Don’t worry. He will be punished accordingly
Doesn’t look good but we should wait for Coach’s response. Not sure if he has had any other problems prior but this is an argument between a boyfriend and girlfriend (or ex).
Assuming the allegations are true, he needs to be booted for good. Some Arena league team or semi-professional team can pick him up if he wants to continue playing football. Arrests for underage drinking and getting in bar fights are understandable, but there is no place for this crap.
Unless i’m mistaken, this is Rainey’s first offense. No need for such a harsh remedy as kicking this guy off the team for such a stupid act. Obviously I dont condone felonious behaviour, but Rainey isnt charged with domestic violence or DUI. A lengthy suspension is due – perhaps 4 games. Keeping him out of the Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama games should send a strong enough message.
A threat of violence against a woman can not be tolerated. I expect that Meyer will feel the same way. He has spoken multiple times about respect for women. In my opinion, it is quite different than underage drinking, etc. I hope Meyer kicks him off the team, and never looks back. He can probably get a scholarship at Auburn or Ole Miss~! (Couldn’t resist…)
Urban isn’t going to do anything (other then suspend him indefinitely) until the case has had a chance to play out. It wouldn’t be the first time a UF player has been picked up for a domestic issue then had the entire thing dropped because it turned out to be nothing more then feuding between him and his girl.
I also don’t expect the stalking charge to hold up at all, not based on the facts as we know it. Showing up at his girlfriends house after she didn’t answer a phone call and then leaving peacefully 10 minutes later won’t cut it.
The fact he admits to sending the text does not look good for him at all though, far as guilt vs innocence.
Well glad to see we made it a whole month without someone getting arrested. Maybe we can make it two months this run and really set the bar high!
He has violated on of Urban’s cardinal rules about disrespecting women. Bye Chris.
It’s nice to know that a large portion of the readers are ready to convict without a trial. Could it be within the realm of chance that his girlfriend is from the same mold as Chris?
He was arrested, therefore he’s guilty.
If this occurred yesterday, could it not be a side effect of medication or illness from the concussion he receieved? As some other commentors have noted, I believe this is Rainey’s first run in with the law, while at UF. If it is, then I believe it is better to gain all the facts before any action is taken against Rainey and his scholarship.
If there is an adverse reaction going on in Rainey’s head from the concussion, whether it’s due to meds or nor, then he shouldn’t play regardless of suspension or not.
So much drama, it never ends. Still have my rose colored glasses on, but that text is bad news. Glad she’s alright though. Hoping for 4 game suspension unless worse details come out.
half game suspension max..guaranteed. Thats number 28 in 5 years. BTW I dont think Urban has any rules….
Does the name Carl Johnson ring a bell? We should remember that in February 2009 our starting guard was arrested for date rape on an ex-girlfriend. Less than a month later, the charges were dropped. At this moment, it certainly doesn’t look good for Rainey. However, we have to see how this plays out. The bottom line is, we have a serious problem here at Florida. As much we like to say that Coach Meyer is the best coach in college football, these incidents don’t occur like this at Alabama, Ohio State, or Texas. Further, I’m sure that Carl Johnson, Dee Finley, Will Hill, Dominique Easley did some stuff that hasn’t even come out yet. Believe me… we have some off the field issues. However, we should get all the information before we kick a first offender like Rainey off the team.
Ibis:
Why don’t you worry about your own program. You have more problems to worry about like how do you expect to beat Pitt when your QB throws INTs like it is his job. Or the fact that Da “U” doesn’t play another ranked team the rest of the year. You had a one game season and blew it. Douche bag.
To follow-up on my last post, it appears the girlfriend is already recanting. She stated in open court that she does not fear Chris and didn’t want him to get arrested. However, with domestic violence-esqe incidents, the courts often do not give as much credence to what the victim says after the fact or wants because the victims sometimes just want to get back with the offender or are concerned how the situation will affect them.
Matt we’re right there neck and neck with Miami and FSU when it comes to morons lately. Sadly we’re probably state champs in that as well for the past few years.
If these allegations prove to be true, at a minimum he should have his scholarship pulled and suspended for the remainder of this season.
Wow, I really wish some of you are never picked as jury. There is one text message and one unproven alleged statement and C.Rainey should be crucified. Wow… it gives me shivers to think some of you in the jury box.
I don’t think some of you know how serious felony is. Being charged as a felon is not like sleeping in a jail overnight, you can be put in the slammer for years. For one text message a young man should possibly go to jail for years? IDK but sounds pretty harsh.
Before we throw C.Rainey under the bus, let’s wait for all facts to come out. The gator nation should act rationally not emotionally.
Nevertheless, I think C. Rainey should be suspended for his stupid action. But I don’t think he should be kicked off the team or suspended for a season. Maybe 2-4 games.
Didn’t he just have a concussion??? Pretty sure he is having an adverse reaction to the head knock. Wonder if its the first time any chick in Gville ever said NO to CR??? He sure could have handled the rejection better.
Is this the University of Florida? With all the arrest and players getting in trouble I can’t tell if its UF or U of M.
Get it together Gators. You guys have the world in your hands and you go and do stupid stuff like this.
Plus, Rainey was suffering from a concussion – why wasn’t he at home resting instead of being a moron and getting in serious trouble.
I hope he gets kicked off the team. As much as I hate to lose him – these boys need to be punished and punished hard. Come on Urban, step up and set some rules for these boys. If not they are going to end up getting someone killed, or themselves.
travis ritch,
Are you from the USA?
He probably mean “time to dye”… you know how girls dye their hair all the time and he was just on his way over to help. She called the cops as a joke and they both knew that when the cops left, she was going to dye her hair and put in some Nikki Minaj type colored weaves. Give the kid a break… He’ll likely be suspended, lose his scholarship, and be given the chance to earn his way back.
In all seriousness, he should have known better, but he deserves a chance to redeem himself, get some counseling, learn the slot receiver spot and return punts. Truth is, he can be replaced, but getting kicked off and replaced doesn’t mean he learned any lesson. Having a coach work his @ss out on a regular basis, keep him in line, get him counseling, and make him work for a scholarship probably will make him a better man; isn’t that what we want?
Paging Andre Debose – your moment has arrived.
I see all of this getting dropped. They charged him with stalking which the girlfriend wants dropped as we speak. Add to that, did he admit to sending the text? If so he is a moron as the cops could have never in a million years proven it was him that hit send.
Don’t know what to make of all this but these damn arrest are adding up and spreading quicker than herpes at a sig ep party.
Also heard the text was supposed to be the following but he couldn’t finish them before being sent “Time to Diet, bi&^%”
and
“Wait and see what happens when they leave, its cardio time till we puke”
@tank
yes, i am…it was sarcasm. the media presents these stories and the public immediately thinks ‘guilty’. we don’t have napoleonic law here in america. you’re innocent until PROVEN guilty.
Relax guys, i’s not like he shot the presisent. Let’s him run the stadium first.
Supposedly his girlfriend or the victim requested that no charges be filed. His punishiment should be for stupidity but he certainly not kicked off the team. He didn’t tguch her and she was no stranger. I can tell you my ex wife deserved text message like this one but I never sent one.
When Meyer took Hammond’s scholarship for a DUI, he locked himself into escalated punishments. He is locked into suspending Rainey for the year & revoking his scholarship. IMO the Gators don’t need him, but if he leaves UF he will find a home at UM, FSU, or any number of SEC schools. They are very forgiving! Tennessee would be perfect….
@travis ritch
I thought from your accent that you might be from Canada.
Suspend him… but not kicked off the team. IMO
As of 12:30 today, Addazzio said he is no longer with the team…little more serious than everyone thinks. He can always be reinstated but he isn’t going to Knoxville this weekend and might not see the locker-room the rest of his career.
The girlfriend not wanting to press charges doesn’t mean anything. My best friend was beaten up by her boyfriend (we’re talking a woman in her 40s) and she refused to press charges. She had a swollen jaw and a black eye. State’s attorneys office still pressed charges. The girlfriend is saying what she’s saying because she’s been getting threats from the Gator fan base. She even says she’s more afraid of the reprecussions. That’s why she doesn’t want to press charges….not because he didn’t do anything. The fact is he admitted to sending a threatening message to her. With or without an investigation we know he is guilty of that.
Part of the problem is that they see pro athletes (ie Ben Rothesberger) getting away with treating women like crap so they think it’s ok. There is an entitlement mentality among athletes that needs to be dealt with.
I’ll weigh in here on something that probably doesn’t warrant any more discussion…
Couple of things
First, I hope all can clearly see a difference between underage drinking, fighting, hell even DUI (as stupid and dangerous as that is) and what Rainey’s already admitted to texting to her.
Second, and as has already been said, the fact that the victim didn’t want him arrested is immaterial. Ask anyone involved in domestic violence cases, victims’ friends, counselors, law enforcement, prosecutors, and they’ll tell you this is common.
Third innocent until proven guilty is a precept of our justice system and NOT UF’s or the football program’ discipline policy.
Last, as the father of two young girls, this is one of the things I fear the most for them as they get older. Putting all the other accusations aside, in what civil society is it ok to send threatening messages, like what Rainey ADMITTED he sent her? This is scary stuff and very serious. It goes beyond my love for Gator football.
In my opinion, Rainey should be dismissed from the tram, his scholarship, and the school. What he did was unconscionable.
Ps: I felt similarly about the Carl Johnson situation a few year back. And what i remember he was arrested for during the season wasn’t date rape, it was a similar stalking charge and violation of a restraining order.
I almost universally agree with bob but i dont know about kicking him out of school and taking away his scholarship and in my book DUI (depending on the level of intoxication is worse) Carlos Dunlap falling asleep behind the wheel is worse then rainey but for people closer to the legal limit its not as bad
time to die b—h is a serious threat from anyone let alone an athlete that I can only assume is much stronger then his gf
Sounds a lot like the indefinite suspension I suspect would get handed down quickly.
I think that this whole thing has been totally blown out of proportion.
I’m not saying that the text was ok but seriously, who hasn’t been really upset and/or drunk and texted an ex a threat or something else that they REALLY wish they could take back and didn’t mean. People say alot of things in the heat of the moment.
Showing up at her hour uninvited one time is not STALKING her and there is no evidence that he tried to get physical with her in any way.
This kid has no prior record or complaints or history of violence. It wasn’t even the victim who called the cops it was her SISTER (who probably is overprotective and overreacted).
In my mind, until I hear something more substantial I would chalk this up to a college kid having a REALLY bad night, making a threat he shouldn’t have but one that he probably didn’t acually mean and some over-eager GPD (come on, anyone who lives in Gville knows they can be a little whack) blowing it way out of proportion.
@tank
nope…lol.
and canada also is ‘innocent until proven guilty’, eh?
Sara : Pulling a gun on someone in the heat of the moment is also a heat of the moment crime and can be a bad night, unfortunately, both are against the law and extremely serious. There is no excuse making for this incident. I don’t want to hear, this happens all the time, he was drunk, he did it thinking he wouldn’t get caught crap. He sent a message to a girl whom he was enraged with and told her it was time to die. He will be lucky to not go to jail and not playing football should be the least of his worries at this time.
Thank you Sara for a voice of reason.
The new information, specifically the fact that her sister called not her, does seem to change things a little. Still bad, and disgraceful, but different. Stalking seems like the wrong crime to charge him with though, going to someone’s house who you’re having an argument with isn’t stalking.