░D░O░U░B░L░E░ ░T░R░O░U░B░L░E░: Two Star Players Suspended After Nightclub Brawl — West Virginia Mountaineers Reeling Ahead of Fall Camp
Morgantown, WV — August 2, 2025
Just weeks before the start of fall camp, the West Virginia Mountaineers football program finds itself in crisis after two of its biggest stars were suspended indefinitely following a late-night altercation at a downtown Morgantown nightclub.
The players — junior quarterback Damon “Dimes” Carter and senior linebacker Khalil Freeman — were involved in a heated altercation that escalated into a full-blown brawl early Saturday morning at The Gold Room, a popular venue just off High Street.
According to multiple eyewitnesses and police reports, the confrontation began over a verbal dispute between Carter’s entourage and a group of patrons near the VIP section. Freeman, known for his fiery presence on the field, allegedly stepped in to defuse the situation — but instead, tensions flared. Security footage reportedly shows Freeman throwing the first punch, with Carter joining moments later in what police have described as “a dangerous escalation resulting in multiple injuries and property damage.”
No arrests have been made yet, but both players have been charged with disorderly conduct and misdemeanor assault pending investigation.
Immediate Fallout
Head Coach Derrick Satterfield, entering his second year at the helm, addressed the media in an emergency press conference Sunday morning.
> “This behavior is unacceptable, plain and simple,” Satterfield said. “Damon and Khalil are leaders on this team, and with leadership comes responsibility. We’re taking disciplinary action seriously, and we’ll let the legal process play out. But as of now, they are suspended indefinitely.”
The timing couldn’t be worse.
Carter was entering the season as a dark horse Heisman candidate after throwing for 3,200 yards and 28 touchdowns last year. Freeman, a preseason All-Big 12 linebacker, was the heart and soul of a defense expected to take a major leap this season. Now, with their status in question and fall camp just 10 days away, the Mountaineers are scrambling to stabilize.
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Locker Room Shockwaves
Sources inside the program describe a “somber and stunned” locker room. Offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, recently re-hired in a consultant role, was reportedly “visibly furious” upon learning of the incident, sources said.
Backup quarterback A.J. Tomlin, a redshirt sophomore with limited snaps, is expected to take first-team reps until Carter’s situation is resolved. Defensively, sophomore Zion Radcliffe will step into Freeman’s role — a significant jump in both responsibility and visibility.
Team captain and wide receiver Malik Jordan didn’t mince words.
> “We can’t afford distractions,” Jordan said. “We’re trying to win the Big 12. Damon and Khalil are my brothers, but this team has to move forward.”
Reputational Damage & Bigger Implications
Beyond the field, the incident casts a dark cloud over a program that had been building momentum. Just last month, five-star wideout Kechaun Bennett shocked the nation by committing to WVU, citing a “no-nonsense culture” and “elite leadership.” Recruits are watching. Boosters are calling. And the administration is tense.
Athletic Director Wren Baker, already under pressure after high-profile offseason changes, issued a statement Sunday evening:
> “We expect our student-athletes to represent West Virginia University with class and integrity. We are disappointed and will take the necessary steps to uphold those values.”
What’s Next?
With legal proceedings set to begin next week and fall camp looming, the Mountaineers face more questions than answers. Will Carter and Freeman return before the opener against Penn State? Will the locker room stay united? And most critically — can West Virginia recover from a PR nightmare and still contend?
For now, the only certainty is uncertainty. And in Morgantown, the season just got a lot more complicated.
