Pitt defensive end Dayon Hayes arrested on assault charge
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Pitt junior football player Dayon Hayes has been charged with one count of simple assault in connection with a domestic incident in Pittsburgh, according to criminal records.
He was arrested Sunday night, arraigned and released on nonmonetary bail. Hayes is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 22 in front of Magisterial Judge Kim Berkeley Clark.
A criminal complaint filed by Pittsburgh police said a 911 dispatcher described a “struggle” that could be heard over the phone while a female was shouting “get out.”
When three police officers arrived at an East Hills Drive address, they were met by the alleged victim. She told the officers of an argument with Hayes, who she said was her boyfriend and the father of her child, according to the complaint.
When Hayes, listed as 6-foot-3, 275 pounds, was asked to leave, he became “increasingly irate” and doused her in bleach, according to the complaint. When the victim attempted to call 911, Hayes took the phone from her and began to speak to the operator before hanging up.
The complaint further states that during a struggle, Hayes grabbed “a full fist of hair” and pulled her head back. Because she was wearing a wig, she was able to free herself before Hayes forced her head to the surface of the wall and held her there, police said. Hayes refused to allow her to leave and, eventually, slammed the door on her right thigh, police said.
Officer Brandon Woods wrote in the complaint that he saw a red strip which “began its swelling stage on the inside of (the alleged victim’s) thigh as well as a bruise on the outside of her left hand.”
Hayes, a graduate of Westinghouse High School who has been with the team since 2020, has played in five games this season as a backup defensive end, including Saturday against Syracuse. He missed four games because of an injury.
At his weekly news conference Monday, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi addressed the incident.
“As a head football coach, as a parent, very, very disappointed in what happened,” he said. “It’s something we coach very hard against, not only football-wise, but how we act as people.”
Earlier, he released the following statement:
“The incident involving Dayon Hayes is incredibly disappointing and concerning. I take all disciplinary matters very seriously, and that is especially the case with situations of this kind.
“Our players know they are accountable for their actions, both on and off the field. I’ve conveyed this to Dayon, who will be immediately subject to team disciplinary measures in addition to any legal consequences that may arise. The details of that discipline will remain a private matter.”