Tennessee chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek has issued an official statement amid rumors that alleges football coach Butch Jones fought and punched senior offensive lineman Mack Crowder during a fall practice session.
According to the statement, obtained by ESPN's Joe Schad, Cheek told the Board of Trustees: "There's been a lot of rumor and misinformation on social media and message boards about an alleged incident during football practice. It's not our practice to respond to rumors, but I thought it was important to let you know that we've done our due diligence and [athletics director] Dave Hart and I are very confident there was no inappropriate conduct with any players or coaches."
As part of its due diligence, Tennessee interviewed coaches and players about the alleged incident, a source tells Schad.
Earlier this week, on the heels of Jones being quoted by the Chattanooga Times Free Press as calling the rumors "absolutely ridiculous," Vols wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni took a question about whether Jones had ever gotten into physical altercations with his players. He flatly shot down that contention without hesitation.
"Never," Azzanni said.
Crowder's father also has declined comment, saying he did not want to fuel Internet rumors.
Without specifically addressing the allegations, Crowder sent out three separate tweets saying he was "proud" and "honored'' to be part of Tennessee's program.
"I'm proud to be a VFL (Vol For Life) and honored to be a part of this University and Vol FAMILY,'' Crowder tweeted.
"I've given my all to this program and will continue to. I want nothing more than for Vol Nation to come together and get ready to beat the Dawgs on Saturday, as my Teammates, Coaches and I are already working hard to do. Everything else is just a distraction. Luke 11:17''
Tennessee (2-3, 0-2 SEC) opened the season with its first Top 25 ranking since September 2012, but the Vols haven't met expectations heading into Saturday's game against No. 19 Georgia (4-1, 1-1).
"I understand that's part of the game,'' Jones said last week of the criticism. "I welcome that. I have big shoulders. Put that all on my shoulders, so our players can go out and perform Saturday.''
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.