University at Buffalo junior linebacker Khalil Mack has been suspended for next week’s season opener at Georgia but has been reinstated to the football team, the school announced late this afternoon.
Mack had been suspended for a violation of team rules just days after he got into an altercation with teammate Fred Lee, according to a source.
“I want to express that Khalil Mack is a young man with character and integrity,’’ UB Athletic Director Danny White said in a statement released by the school. “Regarding this situation, the university has completed its review in accordance with relevant university policies and procedures and athletic department protocol. Because of student privacy laws, we cannot comment on the specifics.
“As a result of this process, I have reinstated Khalil Mack to participate in regular team activities,’’ White said, “”but he will be suspended from playing our first game against Georgia.”
Jackie Lee, the mother of Fred Lee, told The Buffalo News Tuesday night that she was upset about a physical altercation between her son and Mack, especially since she wasn't informed about what transpired until three days later.
Jackie Lee learned last Thursday about an incident when she was contacted for insurance information so her son could receive a CT scan. Lee sat out Saturday's scrimmage and practiced on a limited basis this week while suffering from what the team said were concussion symptoms.
Jackie Lee told The News she was upset Mack was allowed to remain at practice in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
In two seasons with the Bulls, Mack has 133 total tackles, 35.0 tackles for loss and 10 sacks and is already tied for second in school history with seven forced fumbles. According to nfldraftscout.com, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Mack is one of the top 25 outside linebackers available from the Class of 2014.
Mack has been named to both the Nagurski and Lombardi watch lists. Only tailback Branden Oliver, who became the school’s single-season rushing leader in 2011, has received national recognition on the level of Mack.
