Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen was named one of three finalists for the Walter Peyton Man of the Year Award this year, an honor given to players for their exemplary community service and excellence on the field. Sadly, his younger brother is not following in his footsteps.
Kevin Olsen, quarterback for the Charlotte 49ers, was arrested Sunday afternoon on rape charges. He has been charged with felony second-degree forcible rape, cyberstalking, assault on a female, and second-degree forced sex, the Charlotte Observer reports.
This is not the first time Olsen, 22, has found himself in trouble as his college career has been marred by off-the-field incidents. In 2013, Olsen redshirted at Miami but left the college a year later after reportedly being suspended for repeated team rules violations and for failing a drug test. According to the Observer, Olsen was also charged with DUI and possession of a fake or stolen identification during his Hurricanes tenure.
The talented QB then transferred to Towson University, but was kicked off the team in March 2015 for violating team rules, the Baltimore Sun reports.
“People are going to say stuff,” Olsen told the Observer in an August 2016 interview. “It’s never as good or as bad as what you hear. I won’t dwell on the past. I guess you could say I regret it, probably more of putting my family, friends, and coaching staff through it more than anything else.”
Charlotte football coach Brad Lambert confirmed that the school is aware of Olsen’s arrest and that he has been suspended from the team. In a statement, the university says it’s “reviewing the case consistent with its disciplinary procedures.”
A spokesman for the Panthers said that Greg Olsen declined to comment on his brother’s arrest.