Ishmael Zamora, wearing #8. (Getty)
Baylor University wide receiver Ishmael Zamora was allegedly caught on video beating his dog in June, police said after an investigation. The video has just surfaced and he will be disciplined for his actions. He has already been charged with a Class C misdemeanor, according to KXXV in Texas.
Zamora was projected to be the next big wide receiver for Baylor, a university already tarnished by a sexual assault scandal. The video surfaced on the same day former President Ken Starr, who was demoted after the independent investigation into how the university handled sexual assault allegations against its players, left the school faculty.
Here is a look at Zamora. On August 30, Baylor suspended Zamora for three games.
1. The Video Surfaced on Another Player’s Snapchat Account
The video, seen in the KXXV report above, was taken in late June, but it wasn’t until now that the video has surfaced. It was made public by another player, who shared it on Snapchat. Shelby Ball, a former Baylor student, told KXXV that she saw the video and reported it to Animal Control.
“I went to authorities probably about two hours after I saw the video,” Ball told KXXV. “Dogs can’t speak for themselves… I felt like something needed to be done.”
2. Zamora Says He Was Disciplining the Dog During Potty Training
(Getty)
Zamora defended his actions in a statement to KXXV, although he did show signs of remorse.
“I lost my temper trying to discipline him,” Zamora told the station. “I’ve been through training with a dog trainer to help me learn new potty training tips.”
Ball didn’t think that was a good excuse though, telling KXXV that she couldn’t imagine anyone who loves their dog doing what Zamora is seen doing in the video.
3. He Has Been Charged With a Class C Misdemeanor
Ishmael Zamora could pay up to $500 after an investigation into the video of him beating a dog. (Instagram/@5uper8bu)
KXXV found that the police investigation has already been completed. The 20-year-old Zamora was charged with a Class C misdemeanor and a citation that will cost him up to $500. However, Baylor head coach Jim Grobe told the Waco Tribune that Zamora will continue to face discipline.
Grobe said:
We’re not going to tolerate it… He’s going to be disciplined by a bunch of people. The city is going to get a piece of him, and the university doesn’t take it lightly. There will be some sanctions from the university. From an athletic department standpoint we’ll do some things. Hopefully, it’s a teaching moment and a learning experience for him.
Zamora can still practice with the team, but he was suspended for three games.
PETA has called on Zamora to take anger management classes. PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said:
As PETA pointed out in a letter to Ishmael Zamora, he can never take back beating that dog and the dog can never forget such a betrayal of loyalty and trust by a human being. Hitting anyone, including animals, indicates a lack of self-control and empathy that will surely have even more consequences if not dealt with at the root. PETA has urged Mr. Zamora to take anger-management classes if he needs them; stop taking testosterone or the like if he’s been doing so, as it promotes aggression; and work with us or a local animal shelter to do something that will never fully make amends but will at least help other dogs who have been abused.
4. Zamora Was Predicted to be a Top Wide Receiver for Baylor in his Sophomore Season
“Dog walking in this cold ahh weather. Love my boy Guwop,” Zamora wrote in the caption to this photo. (Instagram)
Zamora is a third-year sophomore and was listed at No. 1 on the depth chart as an outside wide receiver. In 2015, he had nine receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. He’s listed a 6’4″ and weighs 215 lbs. He is majoring in chemistry.
He is also a standout track athlete, winning the 2013 Class 5A state championship in 110-meter hurdles and finishing second in the 300-meter hurdles.
“The thing all of our players understand there’s no guarantee you’re going to get on the field just because you’re a good player. Just because you’re a good player doesn’t mean we’re going to overlook bad behavior,” Grobe told the Waco Tribune.
5. Baylor Fired Head Coach Art Briles in May After an Investigation Into Sexual Assault Cases at the School
Last year, Ishmael Zamora posted a video of his dog on Instagram. (Instagram)
Baylor is also at the center of a sexual assault scandal, as the school’s handling of rape allegations against players came under scrutiny earlier this year. Head coach Art Briles was fired in May after an investigation found that Baylor failed to act when players were accused of domestic violence.
According to Baylor, the law firm Pepper Hamilton found that:
Based on a high-level audit of all reports of sexual harassment or violence for three academic years from 2012-2013 through 2014-2015, Pepper found that the University’s student conduct processes were wholly inadequate to consistently provide a prompt and equitable response under Title IX, that Baylor failed to consistently support complainants through the provision of interim measures, and that in some cases, the University failed to take action to identify and eliminate a potential hostile environment, prevent its recurrence, or address its effects for individual complainants or the broader campus community.
Athletic director Ian McCaw resigned on May 30. President Ken Starr was demoted and announced on August 19 that he was leaving the university faculty completely.