Report: Video clears Hyde of assault

Published Jul. 24, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Columbus nightclub video footage appears to clear Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde of allegedly hitting a woman, Yahoo! Sports is reporting.

Footage from the Sugar Bar 2 shows that Hyde, who was suspended from the team indefinitely Monday by coach Urban Meyer after being named a person of interest in the investigation, did not touch the alleged victim during the incident early Saturday morning. Charges are not expected to be filed, according to the report.

The video reportedly shows the alleged victim punching Hyde in the head after he had been speaking in her direction. He then reached back in her direction but never appeared to make contact.

That account is contradicted by a second report, however. Mindy Drayer, a reporter for the NBC affiliate in Columbus, WCMH, viewed surveillance video and said she saw Hyde strike the woman with an open hand.

Hyde ran for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012, establishing himself as Ohio State's top running back.

“I have a clear set of core values in place that members of this football program are constantly reminded of and are expected to honor,” Meyer said Monday in a statement addressing the suspension. “There are also expectations with regard to behavior. I expect our players to conduct themselves responsibly and appropriately and they will be held accountable for their actions.”

“Swift, effective and fair discipline is the standard for our entire athletics program,” Director of Athletics Gene Smith said in a statement. “I applaud Coach Meyer for his immediate actions.”