Washington State Football

Washington State wide receiver Brandon Gray is in serious but stable condition after being shot Saturday morning.

"We are aware of an incident involving WSU football student-athlete Brandon Gray that occurred last night in Pullman," WSU athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement. "Brandon was transported to a Spokane hospital where he is in serious but stable condition. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brandon and his family and friends. As this remains an open police investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time."

The shooting took place at an off-campus house party early Saturday morning. One man, Liban Barre, died in the shooting.

George Melvin Harris III was arrested and charged with second-degree assault. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Gray is a redshirt junior who has compiled two receptions for 13 yards in his career at Washington State. He has not played in the 2021 season and was not with the team for Saturday's loss to Utah.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with [Gray]," Washington State coach Nick Rolovich said after the game. "I have so much respect for this team for how they played—I know we didn't win; I know we weren't great—but for them to go out and play as hard as they did after getting the news about their teammate is a tribute to their character."

Gray remains hospitalized in Spokane.

Northern Colorado wide receiver Kassidy Woods, who was part of the Washington State football program from 2018-2020 before transferring last December, is suing his former school as well as WSU head coach Nick Rolovich.

Per Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today, Woods is accusing WSU and Rolovich "of breach of contract, violating his civil rights and covering up COVID-19 cases in athletics."

On Aug. 2, 2020, Woods spoke with Josh Peter of USA Today and said Rolovich removed him from the team because he was part of #WeAreUnited, a group of Pac-12 football players who made numerous demands of the conference in a piece for The Players' Tribune.

The demands fell into four categories: health and safety protections amid the COVID-19 pandemic, eliminating "excessive expenditures" to protect some sports from being eliminated, ending racial injustice in sports and society and economic freedom and equity.

Woods told Peter he was asked to clean out his locker before being removed from the team's group chat after revealing he was part of that group.

"I can’t even be around my teammates, so that let’s me know I’m dismissed from the team," Woods said.

At the time, Theo Lawson of the Spokesman-Review spoke with Woods' father, John Woods, who discussed a phone conversation between his son and the coach:

One day later, Rolovich released a statement with a different explanation, per Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press:

Per Schrotenboer, Woods' lawsuit is seeking both "punitive and actual damages for the harm to Woods’ athletic career, such as 'lost scholarships and lost educational opportunities as a result of defendants' unlawful conduct.'" Woods filed the lawsuit on Aug. 20 in Dallas.

The lawsuit also alleges that COVID-19 cases were being covered up within the program:

Not only were athletes already testing positive for COVID-19 without notification to other players, Woods' own roommate had been exposed just two days prior to Woods' arrival on campus. Woods' roommate indicated to Woods that roughly 10 football players had tested positive at that time. His roommate felt that Woods should know about the positive cases even though Defendants strictly ordered the players to keep silent to the media and others—including players who had not yet reported back to Pullman—regarding positive COVID-19 cases that were occurring within the program.

Rolovich is entering his second season running the WSU program. He went 1-3 in a campaign shortened to four games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his WSU stint, Rolovich coached Hawai'i for four years, leading his team to a 10-win mark in 2019.

The coach recently made news for not attending Pac-12 media days in person after announcing he had decided not to get vaccinated. In August, after the announcement of a mandate that all faculty and staff at the state's colleges and universities be vaccinated, Rolovich said he would comply and get vaccinated.

Woods was a 3-star recruit out of Addison, Texas before signing with WSU, per 247Sports. ESPN notably gave him 4 stars. He redshirted in 2018 before playing in all 12 games in 2019, mostly on special teams.

Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich said Thursday he will receive a COVID-19 vaccine following the requirement from Gov. Jay Inslee.

"I plan on following his mandate, for sure," Rolovich told reporters.

Inslee announced Wednesday that faculty and staff, including coaches, at the state's public schools and colleges must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18. The directive comes amid an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations within the state and nationally.

Rolovich announced in July that he elected not to get the vaccine "for reasons which will remain private." He missed the Pac-12 media days as a result.

New commissioner George Kliavkoff said the league was "strongly encouraging everyone to get vaccinated."

Washington State is one of nine Pac-12 schools that will require all students to receive vaccines in order to attend classes on campus this year. 

The Pac-12 also announced that any team unable to field a full roster for games because of a COVID-19 outbreak will be forced to forfeit. 

Rolovich is heading into his second season at Washington State after going 1-3 in 2020.  

Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich announced he will only participate in Pac-12 Media Days remotely after choosing not to get the COVID-19 vaccine:

Rolovich said the Pac-12 required all in-person participants in media day be fully vaccinated.

"While I have made my own decision, I respect that every individual—including our coaches, staff and student-athletes—can make his or her own decision regarding the COVID-19 vaccine," the coach said.

Pac-12 Media Days are set to begin Tuesday, July 27 in Los Angeles.

Washington State Athletic Director Pat Chun released a statement on Rolovich's decision:

NCAA officials have stopped short of mandating vaccines for coaches and student-athletes, but many have strongly encouraged the practice to help get back to normal.

"Frankly, anyone not getting vaccinated is taking unnecessary risk," Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said last week. "And that's not just student-athletes, that's anyone in our society."

The Pac-12 only had a six-game schedule last season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Washington State had two games canceled because of positive tests. The Cougars finished 1-3 in Rolovich's first year at the helm.

Washington State suspended quarterback Jayden de Laura indefinitely after he was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of DUI, per Brenna Greene of King5.com.  

Per that report, de Laura drove through a stop sign and went the wrong way on a one-way street. Police performed a field sobriety test and "determined they had probable cause and booked de Laura on suspicion of DUI."

The quarterback did not take a breathalyzer test and was reportedly driving without a license. He was released by police shortly after his arrest. 

De Laura, a freshman, started all four of the Cougars' games in 2020, throwing for 886 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week after the team's season-opening win over Oregon State. 

Washington State went 1-3 in the COVID-19 shortened season. 

De Laura was expected to compete with Tennessee graduate transfer Jarrett Guarantano for the starting job in the 2021 season after Gunner Cruz transferred to Arizona. 

Washington State head football coach Nick Rolovich expressed regret for his interaction with wide receiver Kassidy Woods.  

Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press shared Rolovich's statement, in which he claimed he did not know the concerns of the Pac-12 group:

"Without knowing the concerns of the group, I regret that my words cautioning Kassidy have become construed as opposition," the head coach said. "I'm proud of our players and all the Pac-12 student-athletes for using their platform, especially for matters they are passionate about." 

The statement comes after Woods told Josh Peter of USA Today he believes he was removed from the team for aligning with the group of Pac-12 athletes who threatened to sit out if a number of demands issued in the Players' Tribune were not met, including addressing racial injustice in college sports and society, clear COVID-19 safety measures and the ability to make money through name, image and likeness rights.

"I can't even be around my teammates, so that lets me know I'm dismissed from the team," Woods said while explaining he was removed from the Cougars' team group chat.

Woods said he told Rolovich he did not plan on playing this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic because he was at higher risk because he has sickle cell anemia. That is when, according to the wide receiver, the coach said he would accept that health-based decision but felt Woods' future with the team would be in jeopardy if he remained aligned with the group of Pac-12 players.

Theo Lawson of the Spokesman-Review provided details on the exchange:

Rolovich expressed regret after the story made national headlines. 

He is yet to coach a game for Washington State, which hired him in January following a four-year stint with Hawaii.

Washington State wide receiver Kassidy Woods told Josh Peter of USA Today that he believes Cougars head coach Nick Rolovich dismissed him from the team Saturday because he is a part of the group of Pac-12 athletes threatening to sit out the 2020 season if their health, safety and social justice demands aren't met.

Woods said he was told to clean out his locker and was kicked off the team's group chat after telling Rolovich he was part of that group of athletes.

"I can't even be around my teammates, so that lets me know I'm dismissed from the team," he said.

Jonah Javad of WFAA tweeted out audio of a phone conversation between Woods and Rolovich:

Theo Lawson of the Spokesman Review offered more details on the exchange between Woods and Rolovich:

Per Peter, Rolovich accepted when Woods said he would be sitting out for medical concerns but that being part of the Pac-12 #WeAreUnited players coalition could affect his future with the program. 

Sophomore defensive back Pat Nunn and junior defensive lineman Dallas Hobbs also said their future with the team was unknown after revealing they were a part of the Pac-12 athletes coalition. 

"It's a muddled mess right now," Hobbs told Peter. "I think no one knows exactly how to handle it, so it's still something that's in the air."

Peter also reported that junior defensive end Lamonte McDougle "said Rolovich had no objections to McDougle being part of the athletes group after he vowed to play regardless of whether the groups’ demands are met."

Washington State has not formally commented on the matter and referred Peter to the Pac-12's statement on Sunday:

"We support our student-athletes using their voice, and have regular communications with our student-athletes at many different levels on a range of topics. As we have clearly stated with respect to our fall competition plans, we are, and always will be, directed by medical experts, with the health, safety and well being of our student athletes, coaches and staff always the first priority."

The Pac-12 athletes issued a number of demands in a post on the Players' Tribune article, including:

• "Allow option not to play during the pandemic without losing athletics eligibility or spot on our team's roster."
• "Form a permanent civic-engagement task force made up of our leaders, experts of our choice, and university and conference administrators to address outstanding issues such as racial injustice in college sports and in society."
• "Medical insurance selected by players for sports-related medical conditions, including COVID-19 illness, to cover six years after college athletics eligibility ends."
• "The freedom to secure representation, receive basic necessities from any third party, and earn money for use of our name, image, and likeness rights."
• "Distribute 50 percent of each sport's total conference revenue evenly among athletes in their respective sports."

An autopsy determined former Washington State football player Bryce Beekman died of an accidental overdose due to the combined effects of fentanyl and promethazine, the Whitman County (Washington) Coroner's Office announced Friday:

The 22-year-old was found dead in his home near campus in March. 

Pullman Police Chief Gary Jenkins announced there was no sign of foul play or suicide on March 26.

"We are in shock with the news of Bryce's passing," Washington State's athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement in March. "Bryce was a tremendous young man, a great teammate and will be missed by all. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to the Beekman family and his many friends."

Beekman was set to return for his redshirt senior season in 2020 after an impressive 2019 campaign.

The safety began his career at Arizona Western Junior College before transferring to Washington State last season, where he ranked fifth on the team with 60 tackles. He also added 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun sent a letter Monday to fans and alumni disclosing that he along with head football coach Nick Rolovich and men's head basketball coach Kyle Smith are voluntarily taking five percent pay cuts. 

The pay cuts will be effective through the 2020-21 academic year in a proactive effort against revenue loss due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Chun's full letter is below, which outlined other initiatives and honored late Washington State football player Bryce Beekman:

Beekman died on March 24, and his death is currently under investigation:

The Cougars announced on March 14 the cancellation of "all conference and non-conference competitions" through the end of this academic year, while organized team activities were suspended indefinitely.

Rolovich was hired in January to replace Mike Leach, who departed Washington State to take over at Mississippi State. Smith was hired in March 2019 and led the Cougars to a 16-16 campaign before the remainder of the 2019-20 college basketball season was abruptly canceled on March 12.

Washington State safety Bryce Beekman has died.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg confirmed the news with police in Pullman, Washington, on Wednesday.

According to the Spokesman-Review's Theo Lawson, authorities have yet to release further details regarding Beekman's death.

Braulio Perez of 247Sports shared a comment from Pullman Police Commander Jake Opgenorth: "There aren't a lot of details I can provide at this time, but I can confirm the death of Bryce Beekman. Any further details will be released by the Whitman County Coroner's Office."

Lawson noted Beekman, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, headed back to his home state for spring break. He shared a photo with his younger brother, Reece, after Reece won his fourth straight basketball title for Scotlandville Magnet High School.

The 22-year-old started in 13 games as a redshirt junior in his first season at Washington State. He finished fifth on the team in tackles (60) and had an interception in the Cougars' 54-53 win over Oregon State on Nov. 23.

Beekman enrolled at Washington State after attending Arizona Western Junior College in Yuma, Arizona.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun told reporters last Saturday that spring football practice was delayed indefinitely and may not resume until June or July because of the COVID-19 pandemic.