Florida State Dismisses QB Deondre Francois
Florida State dismissed quarterback Deondre Francois, the school announced Sunday.
No specific reason was given for the move, but on Saturday Francois's girlfriend posted a video to Instagram alleging that he abused her.
"I normally don’t put my business on ig, but I am tired of my name being drug through the mud since the beginning, I have been silent," the woman wrote on the post. "For 2 years I have been in a domestic situation with (Deondre Francois)," the victim wrote in the post. "I thought I loved him and thought he could change for the better but it has gotten worse. I lost my first child because of all of the beating and I suffer from post Partum depression. This situation is taking a toll on my life. Yes, I stayed after that because I was stupid and blinded by love."
"Last night, I informed Deondre Francois that he is no longer a member of the Florida State football program," head coach Willie Taggart said in a statement. "As we build a new culture and foundation for FSU Football, we have high expectations for all of our student-athletes and we will not shy away from those high standards of conduct. We are moving forward as a program."
Tallahassee police closed an investigation involving Francois in January 2018, when authorities were called to his residence after a pregnant woman alleged abuse.
Francois appeared in 25 games over the last three seasons, including his redshirt freshman season in 2016 when he threw for 3,350 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
His next season was cut short in the season opener against Alabama after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
In 2018, Francois completed 57% of his passes for 2,731 yards with 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Seminoles missed a bowl game for the first time in 36 years.