Is there another thread somewhere about the lacrosse player's interview???
From GAgal's link:
Duke Lacrosse Player Speaks Out
Eyewitness News Exclusive
WTVD By Darla Miles
(05/02/06 -- DURHAM) - A Duke lacrosse players is breaking his silence exclusively with ABC11 Eyewitness News.
Also on abc11tv.com:
Send us news tips | Desktop Alert | ABC11 AccuWeather | Pinpoint Traffic It is the first on-camera interview with a Duke lacrosse player since the story of the alleged rape broke. The player, who did not want his identity revealed, said there was no rape at the March 13 party and is defending the coach and the team.
Says Duke officials abandoned team
The player says Duke University officials turned their backs on the team.
"From the get-go, we've only had each other to fall back on," he said. "We've been convicted in the media. Our university turned its back on us...They didn't stand up for us, and we feel neglected and that our loyalty wasn't reciprocated."
He said the allegations have brought players closer together.
"We've stayed strong for this, and we still have each other. We'll be best friends for life," he said.
Coach 'was forced out'
The team was on its way to the national championship when the rape investigation began and Coach Mike Pressler resigned.
"He didn't resign. He was forced out," the player said. "The notion that he quit or resigned is ridiculous."
The player talked about the ad-hoc committee's report, released Monday, that detailed issues with the team's culture.
"As the report shows, there was a clearly a disconnect between student affairs and the athletic department and [Pressler] took the fall for a lot of things he didn't know about. All the incidents he knew about, he dealt with."
Certain that rape didn't happen
The player said he was 100-percent certain that a rape did not happen.
"From the beginning, it was rape and these guys did this and this definitely happened, but only now do you see that there are two sides of the story," he said.
He said the day two players were arrested was the "most emotional day of my life."
The player believes the lacrosse team will come back strongly next year and make another run for the national championship.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=local&id=4136542