EXCLUSIVE: Former Temple Football Player Speaks Out After All Charges Dropped In Rape Case
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Former Temple University football player Praise Martin-Oguike is on a mission to repair his reputation after the District Attorney dropped rape charges filed against him by a fellow student (see related story).
Oguike spoke out for the first time exclusively to KYW Newsradio's Cherri Gregg.
"That's just not the type of person I am. And just knowing that—it just hurt so bad," Oguike said.
Oguike, 20, is putting his life back together one piece at a time. Last May, he was kicked off the Temple football team, expelled from school, and labeled a rapist, despite his claims of innocence. Now his dreams can be restored.
"The number one thing is to get back in school and continue my education. And for football, yeah…I will play again," he said.
No word from Temple on whether Oguike will be reinstated, but Oguike's attorney James Funt says the evidence in the case shows the charges should not have been filed.
"Thousands of text messages and chats revealed a consensual relationship between the complainant and Praise and reveal a motive for filing the charges," Funt said.
Oguike says he's glad this chapter of his life is closed.
Temple University declined comment.
