Amid already tough week, USC running back abruptly quits team
USC senior running back Anthony Brown quit the team Wednesday, accusing head football coach Steve Sarkisian of being racist.
Without giving specific explanation to the circumstances that led to him leaving, Brown took to social media to accuse the coach, CBSSports.com reported. In an instagram post, he said he "COULDN'T PLAY FOR A RACIST MAN!!!! He posted the same on Facebook.
He added in a caption: "Sark treated me like a slave in his office," according to SBNation.com.
When informed about Brown's accusation, Sarkisian said he was shocked and called the allegations "ridiculous."
Sark said was "shocked" that Anthony Brown accused him of being a racist. He wanted Brown on the team and felt he could help.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) August 28, 2014
But at least one USC player, junior nose tackle Antwaun Woods defended the coach.
Coach Sark is a great person/Coach! Please disregard comments that have been made by someone.
— Antwaun Woods (@USCTwocka99) August 28, 2014
Brown played three seasons with the Trojans, including 19 games at cornerback and started six times. He switched positions to running back for the 2014 season.
The news comes in the middle of an already difficult week for the coach in which he is dealing with the suspension of senior cornerback Josh Shaw, who admitted to fabricating a story about breaking both ankles to save his nephew from drowning. Sarkisian and the university's athletic department publicized the story until they found out it was a hoax.
USC begins its season Saturday against Fresno State.