One of the oddest stories of the day that involved a former Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball player was the tale of Demetrius Jackson. On Monday afternoon, reports surfaced that Jackson, who played in South Bend from 2013 to 2016, was charged with two counts of battery, including battery resulting in bodily injury, in connection with an incident during a boys' basketball practice at Marian High School on March 10.
Jackson is a Marian alum and was helping with the team's practice when the incident occurred, according to 16 News Now. Law enforcement documents show that Jackson and an 18-year-old player began exchanging words during practice. Jackson was trash-talking the 18-year-old. When the player confronted him, Jackson reportedly said, "This is my court, I can say whatever... I want," later saying he would "beat" the player in front of his father.Â
The player's father, who is another coach for Marian, heard the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish star tell his son, "say something else, you’re going to find out." Officials say things escalated until Jackson head-butted the player and grabbed his neck. Investigators also alleged that when the player's father intervened, Jackson headbutted and shoved him.
The situation is ongoing, but Marian's coach was fired last week, and the school officials indicated it was at least in part because of the altercation. There have also been calls for the school's AD to be fired.
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