Tennessee’s Butch Jones Denies Calling Ex-Vol A ‘Traitor’ For Helping Rape Victim

University of Tennessee Vols Coach Butch Jones has denied claims made by former wideout Drae Bowles, and released a statement through the school Wednesday evening in which he explained himself.

Butch Jones Denies Calling Ex-Vol A ‘Traitor’ For Helping Rape Victim

“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.”

Jones’ statement refers to a case involving a woman who claims she was raped by two members of the Vols Football team. It then became alleged that Jones called one of his other players a “traitor” after he tried to help the woman. Six women have now filed a lawsuit against the University of Tennessee.

Former Vols wide receiver Bowles claims that Jones told him he had “betrayed the team,” but that he also called him twice later to apologize for calling him “a traitor to the team.”

Before both calls, Bowles also claimed that teammate Curt Maggitt punched him in the mouth inside the Tennessee locker room.

Bowles said he was friends with the woman he helped, a woman listed in the lawsuit as Jane Doe IV. He claimed 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 Vols players A.J. Johnson and Michael Williams. She and Bowles reported the incident to local authorities and called an ambulance.

Two of Bowles’s other teammates, Geraldo Orta and Marlin Lane, also reportedly confronted him in a dining hall, although Tennessee strength coach Brandon Myles restrained them before a fight broke out.

Another victim, Jane Doe V, also allegedly “witnessed several football players ‘jumping’ Bowles on Nov. 17, 2014, the day after the alleged rape occurred.”

Two more women were added to the Tennessee lawsuit on Wednesday. Bowles transferred to Tennessee-Chattanooga after the 2014 season, and is expected to testify at the trials of both Williams and Johnson, which are scheduled for the summer.

The University 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.”

Caption: TUSCALOOSA, AL – OCTOBER 24: Head coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts to a call during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)