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Florida receiver Chris Rainey, kicked off the team after being charged with aggravated stalking two weeks ago, agreed to a plea deal on a misdemeanor charge Monday.
The State Attorney's Office and Rainey's attorney said the player agreed to perform 10 hours of community service or pay $100 to a domestic violence shelter. He also must undergo evaluation and any required counseling for anger management and domestic violence issues.
If Rainey completes those requirements and stays out of trouble for six months, the charge will be dismissed.
Florida coach Urban Meyer said Monday that Rainey was still ''not part of the team.'' Asked whether Rainey definitely would not play Saturday against top-ranked Alabama, Meyer said, ''This week? Oh, yeah.''
Rainey, one of Florida's more dynamic offensive players, was arrested Sept. 14 and charged with aggravated stalking, a third-degree felony. He allegedly sent a woman a threatening text message that read, in part, ''Time to die ....''
The victim, who used to date Rainey, said in court she did not want him prosecuted.
''Although I believe that probable cause existed for a felony charge because the facts involve an at least arguable threat, which is within the legal definition of felony stalking, the defendant was never in a position to have acted on that threat and there is little if anything in his actions that night or in his background to suggest that he would have done so,'' State Attorney Bill Cervone said in a statement. ''Misdemeanor stalking is legally the more appropriate charge when no imminent danger was perceived or can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and the harassing contact, not done in person, occurred in a short, compressed time period.''
The victim, who requested anonymity, said she was in ''full support'' of the state's decision to reduce the charge.
''We have known Chris Rainey for three years and never during that time has he displayed any violent or threatening behavior towards us or anyone,'' she said. ''To our knowledge, Chris does not drink alcohol or use drugs. His actions that night were out of character for reasons unknown to us, which is why we stood up in court on his behalf. The police were called that night to ensure the safety of everyone involved.''
According to Gainesville Police, the woman fell asleep and missed a call from Rainey. Rainey then went to her home, they talked and she told him to leave. According to police, the woman got the text a short time later and called 911.
Rainey, from nearby Lakeland, has six receptions and a touchdown this season. He also served as the team's primary punt returner.
