Update: Tennessee coach Butch Jones denied the claims made by former wideout Drae Bowles and released a statement through the school Wednesday evening explaining as much.
"The assertion that I ever attempted to belittle or demean a young man for taking action to help another person is absolutely false. To the contrary, I did all I could to assist the former student in question," Jones said. "During the course of the judicial process, campus officials, as well as the young man's own words, will clearly establish that I have done nothing wrong. I will fight all of these false attacks on my character, and I know that once this process has been completed, my reputation will be affirmed."
Original story:
In a new sworn affidavit filed as part of lawsuit by six women against the University of Tennessee, it is alleged that Vols coach Butch Jones called one of his players a "traitor" after he helped a woman who alleges she was raped by two other members of the Tennessee football team.
Drae Bowles, a former Vols wide receiver, claims that Jones told him he had "betrayed the team," but that he also called him twice later to apologize for saying Bowles was "a traitor to the team." In response to the discussions with his coach, Bowles says he "broke down and cried."
Both calls came after Bowles claims to have been punched in the mouth inside the Tennessee locker room by teammate Curt Maggitt.
Bowles came to the aid of a woman he was friends with, listed in the lawsuit as Jane Doe IV, after he found her crying and hyperventilating in a parking lot early one morning in November 2014. Jane Doe IV alleges she was sexually assaulted by Tennessee players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams. Bowles supported her decision to report the incident to the authorities, and together, the two called for an ambulance. Maggitt angrily confronted Bowles about what happened that same day and allegedly struck Bowles in the face.
The lawsuit also claims that Bowles was harassed by other teammates.
Geraldo Orta and Marlin Lane both allegedly confronted Bowles in a dining hall for Tennessee's student athletes, and Tennessee strength coach Brandon Myles had to intervene before another fight broke out. Both Orta and Lane then followed Bowles out of the dining hall before being restrained by Myles yet again.
Williams told police that Orta put a "hit" out on Bowles following the incident.
It is also alleged that another victim, Jane Doe V, "witnessed several football players 'jumping' Bowles on Nov. 17, 2014, the day after the alleged rape occurred."
Two additional women were added to the Tennessee lawsuit on Wednesday.
Bowles transferred to Tennessee-Chattanooga after the 2014 season. He is expected to testify at the trials of both Williams and Johnson, which are scheduled for the summer.
The school issued a statement via attorney Bill Ramsey on Wednesday evening.
"The university has reviewed the amended complaint filed today by the plaintiffs and we continue to stand by our actions. The facts, as opposed to the allegations in the complaint, will demonstrate that the University acted properly in the matters at issue. We have continuously worked hard to improve our processes and procedures to ensure that we are doing all that we can to prevent incidents of assault, to support victims of assault and to pursue justice while ensuring due process for those accused. We will vigorously defend all claims in the amended complaint.
"The University is issuing this statement to lessen the potential harmful effects narrative in the amended complaint has on the University's continuing efforts to encourage survivors to come forward and report sexual assaults and its efforts to educate students about the issue of sexual assault. The University will not allow this lawsuit to detract from those efforts."
