Temple Of Doom

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A freshman member of Temple University’s football team is facing rape and other charges for allegedly attacking a woman on campus, but his attorney says the allegations are baseless.
     
Praise Martin-Oguike, 18, faces charges including rape and aggravated assault in connection with the May 26 encounter.

Temple coach Steve Addazio said Tuesday that the 6-foot-1 linebacker has been suspended from the team pending the outcome of the charges.

Martin-Oguike appeared in seven games last season but has been removed from the current roster. He was arraigned May 31 and released on bail.

Defense attorney James Funt said Martin-Oguike is a “good young man” whose only mistake was rejecting the woman’s demands for a permanent relationship.

First-Round Blunder

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) – Jacksonville Jaguars first-round draft pick Justin Blackmon has appeared in an Oklahoma courtroom for the first time since his weekend arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Justin Blackmon

An attorney for the former Oklahoma State wide receiver entered a not guilty plea for him Monday to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. Blackmon was allowed to remain free on $1,000 bond.

Police arrested Blackmon during a traffic stop in Stillwater early Sunday after a breath test allegedly showed his blood alcohol content to be three times the legal limit.

Blackmon left the courtroom surrounded by friends. His attorney, Cheryl Ramsey, declined to comment. 

The Jaguars selected Blackmon fifth overall in April’s draft. A team spokesman said Sunday the Jaguars are trying to learn more about the arrest and had no comment.