Not unexpected, at all. This will certainly get even more interesting.
As I have opined previously, what is the definition of choking? Plus, did the bites really exist? If they did, were they of a malicious intent, or was it consensual? In other words, who knows about the sexual behavior of other people?
Of course, the girlfriend could have caved under pressure from Beard. Or desperation to hold the relationship — her meal ticket (?) — together. That’s happened only about 10 billion times. We just don’t know.
I wouldn’t want to be in CDC’s shoes. That said, I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the university to immediately reinstate Beard.
Assuming Beard is on board, my thought would be to suspend him for the rest of the season, and then bring him back next year. If the University dismisses him, given his girlfriend’s statement, could that not be construed as wrongful dismissal? Dragging the University through that lawsuit wouldn’t be a good thing.