Two Pitt football freshmen were charged with fighting in an on-campus incident, according to court documents. Paris Ford and Tyler Sear both face charges of disorderly conduct after police responded to an on-campus fighting incident Oct. 17.
A Pitt athletics spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported the story.
Ford, a free safety and Steel Valley Grad, had been expected to redshirt this season. A four-star prospect and one of the highest-rated recruits in Pitt’s 2017 freshman class, Ford enrolled at Pitt late into training camp because of academic issues regarding his eligibility.
Sear, a tight end and Neshannock alum, played in six games and caught one pass for 10 yards so far this season. He’s been primarily used as a blocking option behind Matt Flanagan and Chris Clark.
Sear traveled with the team to Duke last week, but did not play. Ford did not travel with the team and has done so only once, at Syracuse on Oct. 7.
Disorderly conduct is a summary offense, which carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $300 fine. Neither Ford or Sear has a previous criminal record.
A Pitt spokesperson issued this response to Pittsburgh Sports Now regarding this story.
“This situation was immediately addressed and the appropriate disciplinary actions from a program standpoint have been internally handled. This will be our only comment on the matter.”
UPDATE (1:58 PM):
https://twitter.com/ts17__/status/923601343784411136
https://twitter.com/diddybop1_/status/923600781470773248
