In 2020, officers charged former Ohio State University standout soccer gamers Amir Riep and his teammate Jahsen Wint with two counts of rape and one rely of kidnapping after a 19-year-old girl advised authorities the athletes raped her.
Accused of rape by a white girl, the pinnacle coach kicked the 2 NFL hopefuls off the group a day after encountering the unidentified girl. The two had been later discovered not responsible of all fees in February of 2023.
After ready for 3 years to show their innocence, the previous roommates are placing their lives again collectively once more. The now 24-year-old Amir Riep completely shared with The Shade Room how he plans to maneuver ahead and the way his father’s assist made a distinction earlier than his passing.
How Did Riep Meet The Unidentified Woman?
Meeting the unidentified girl on Snapchat, Riep and the younger woman determined to fulfill on the residence he shared with Wint, the place issues would ultimately flip sexual.
Prosecutors say she anticipated to hang around with Riep on the off-campus residence however was allegedly compelled into persevering with intercourse with the Cincinnati native after initially consenting and Wint becoming a member of in, which authorities did not persuade a jury to consider.
What a decide by @Riep_Amir! 😳 pic.twitter.com/eLSx7JgyG0
— Buckeye Videos+ (@BuckeyeVideos) November 30, 2019
After being pushed dwelling by Riep, the alleged sexual assault sufferer went to authorities to report a rape, one thing the defensive backs had been adamant didn’t happen.
Riep Realizing He Could Possibly Go To Jail
Per week after the incident, the gamers had been advised to show themselves in and had been dismissed from the group.
Ryan Day has dismissed Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint from the Ohio State soccer group pic.twitter.com/8HX7pa0AyH
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) February 12, 2020
I knew it was getting severe after they [player personnel] advised us we needed to name our mother and father and that we needed to flip ourselves in.
Riep On Not Wanting A Plea Deal
That was by no means a query. I advised my lawyer don’t give me a deal. I’m not signing something. We gon’ trip this out all the best way to trial.
Continuing to talk, Riep opened up about his religion. He acknowledged that was “an area I had to grow in.”
Without that, it might’ve taken a higher toll on me. Being affected person, trusting the method, and believing that he [God] will discover a method and his method is best than something we will think about.
Support From Family & Friends
Being in jail for 3 days earlier than being launched on bond, Riep acknowledged his most outstanding supporters and solely assist had been his now deceased father and his household.
My greatest supporter was my dad. I needed to inform him first. He supported me the entire method, and my household supported me. If something, we got here nearer collectively to take this on collectively.
Does Riep Feel Race Played A Role?
According to Ohio State University’s web site, there are practically 62,000 college students on campus, with lower than 5,000 being Black.
On whether or not he felt race performed a job, Riep acknowledged:
Sadly, Yes. But positively, that picture and title folks attempt to give a soccer participant that goes to Ohio State. They suppose we really feel we will do something and get away with it. If we weren’t two Ohio State soccer gamers on our method to do nice issues, it wouldn’t have gotten that a lot consideration or [as] far as ours did.
Preparing For The NFL & What’s Next
Putting the previous behind him, the NFL hopeful retains his eyes on the prize.
“That’s the main goal,” he says, referring to the NFL. He explains that he’s an athlete who desires to proceed his training and sports activities profession at one other college and has entered the switch portal to modify faculties.
I used to be in there [transfer portal], and coaches had been ready on this case to be achieved. [I’ve] been on maintain this complete time, not capable of do something, enroll anyplace or something. The solely factor I may do [was] keep prepared for this time. He additionally acknowledged,
We’re in touch with a number of faculties proper now. Getting again on board, getting a level, persevering with the soccer profession collegiately, and ending up within the NFL. Riep continued, I’ll be enrolling someplace in the summertime. We have summer time coaching and all of that, so I’ll be in class by then.
People’s Perception Since Being Accused & Found Not Guilty
I needed to show my innocence. I’ve been with my head excessive as a result of I already knew the reality. So, I don’t let these issues get to me, particularly once I know the reality.
Friendship With Jahsen Wint
Although unable to speak to Wint for 3 years, Riep states they now communicate day by day and chuckle, having fun with getting again these moments of friendship.
BREAKING:
Former Ohio State soccer gamers Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint had been discovered not responsible of the rape and kidnapping fees made towards them.Both had been robbed of potential NFL careers. pic.twitter.com/GjuMFJ1MEo
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) February 14, 2023
Describing That Period Of His Life In One Word
Rollercoaster. That incline firstly, proper earlier than you get to that peak, you suppose you’re about to get every little thing you needed, the rollercoaster goes down, left, proper, and it goes all methods.