Baylor Bears

Baylor receiver suspended three games for abusing his dog

Published Oct. 20, 2016 4:36 p.m. ET

Pete Blackburn

Baylor wide receiver Ishmael Zamora will sit out the first three games of this upcoming season following the publication of a video that showed him abusing his dog earlier this summer.

The team announced the suspension in a press release this week. In addition to the three-game ban, the redshirt sophomore will also have to complete 40 hours of community service "in a manner that will teach him kindness and respect toward animals," as well as attend counseling and give the dog to an animal-friendly home. The dog was sent to live with Zamora's relatives in Houston following the incident.

A Snapchat video surfaced earlier this month of the 20-year-old Zamora whipping his dog at least eight times with a belt, as well as stomping on it, after the pup allegedly went the bathroom inside the house. The receiver was charged with a Class C misdemeanor.

“Our football program does not condone this behavior by anyone. We are deeply saddened by it and have worked together with the University to hold Ishmael accountable for his actions,” said Baylor acting head coach Jim Grobe in a statement. “Our goal is for this discipline to be educational and restorative, and I believe that we have taken corrective measures to help Ishmael learn from his actions and to better understand the behavior we demand of all students at the University.”

“I am sorry that I took out my frustration on my dog and accept the punishment that comes with it. This incident will never, ever, happen again,” Zamora said. “I truly love my dog, however, I know that my actions showed differently and I know that I made a big mistake.

“Eventually, I hope that everyone can see who I really am and that I am not a terrible person. This incident does not and will not define me, and I know that I am the one who will have to prove that to others in the days ahead.”

This incident is the latest of several abhorrent stains on the reputation of the Baylor football program, which is already dealing with allegations that the school tried to cover up sexual assaults committed by players.

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