Baylor Receiver Zamora Suspended 3 Games for Beating Dog

Starting Baylor sophomore receiver Ishmael Zamora has been suspended for the first three games of the season after a video surfaced of him beating his dog with a belt this summer.

Zamora, in a statement Tuesday, apologized for his actions, saying he was sorry that he took out his frustrations on his dog.

“I am sorry that I took out my frustration on my dog and accept the punishment that comes with it. This incident will never, ever, happen again. I truly love my dog, however, I know that my actions showed differently and I know that I made a big mistake. I apologize to my family, teammates, Baylor University and our fans for my actions. Eventually, I hope that everyone can see who I really am and that I am not a terrible person. This incident does not and will not define me, and I know that I am the one who will have to prove that to others in the days ahead.”

Waco police charged Zamora with a misdemeanor in the animal abuse case. The receiver will also have also perform 40 community service hours in a manner that will teach him kindness and respect toward animals, undergo counseling and give the dog to an animal-friendly home.

“Ishmael’s behavior toward his dog is disheartening, and is not condoned,” Baylor Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades said. “We believe with proper counseling and training Ishmael can learn from this and I expect that of him. I’ve conveyed to him my expectation that his actions and his service will illustrate his commitment to change.”

Baylor acting coach Jim Grobe, who joined Baylor after two-time Big 12 champion coach Art Briles was suddenly dismissed following the release of a report alleging the university mishandled complaints of sexual assault involving football players, said the program does not condone that sort of behavior by anyone, and worked with university officials to hold Zamora accountable for his actions.

“Our football program does not condone this behavior by anyone. We are deeply saddened by it and have worked together with the University to hold Ishmael accountable for his actions,” said Grobe. “We have received communications about this incident from many passionate individuals over the past 10 days, and I am aware of their concerns. Our goal is for this discipline to be educational and restorative, and I believe that we have taken corrective measures to help Ishmael learn from his actions and to better understand the behavior we demand of all students at the University.”