Former Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan frequently faced questions about his behavior on and off the field as he went through the pre-draft process this spring. In regards to off-field matters, he was specifically questioned about his alleged involvement in a Dec. 1 bar fight after Michigan lost to Ohio State last fall.
Lewan insisted he was trying to separate people involved in the dispute and was not in a fight. He was still charged with three misdemeanors -- one count of aggravated assault and two counts of assault and battery -- for his alleged role in the incident.
However, his ex-girlfriend and an alleged victim say he punched an Ohio State fan when things got heated.
According to an Ann Arbor police report obtained by The Associated Press, James Hughes said Lewan hit him in the face and Alexandra Dileo said "Taylor is lying" about his actions on Dec. 1.
"He knocked the guy to the ground and he punched him," Dileo told police in a telephone interview, per the report. Dileo, whose brother was a teammate of Lewan's, also said she heard Lewan tell his mother "I knocked a guy out" the next morning.
Lewan and others involved all said they were drinking on the night of the incident, according to police.
Lewan's motives were described by police as "related to the University of Michigan and Ohio State rivalry and to levels of intoxication."
"I'm happy that they believed me," the offensive tackle told reporters about the incident. "I'm happy that they believed in my character, the kind of person I am. My job is to not do reckless things off the field. My job is to make sure my quarterback is safe and my running backs are in good positions to gain yards."
Lewan appeared in Ann Arbor District Court last week and had the pretrial hearing for his case adjourned to June 16.
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