FSU OL Josh Ball Accused of Violence Against Ex-Girlfriend

Florida State offensive lineman Josh Ball has been accused of dating violence by his ex-girlfriend, Sandra Sellers, according to a report in the Tampa Bay Times. The woman filed a petition for legal protection from Ball against dating violence.

According to the petition, the two dated for a year and a half.

Sellers accuses Ball, a redshirt freshman and the Seminoles’ starting left tackle, of violence dating back to July 2016, when Ball allegedly became angry that his roommate had people over late at night. According to the petition, Ball became agitated and slammed a screwdriver into a wall. After attempting to choke himself and call 911, other FSU football coaches entered the room and informed them that police “did not need to come.”

Sanders, 20, also alleged that Ball slapped her in the face in December 2016.

The most notable accusation occurred on April 1, 2017, when Ball allegedly threw the woman onto the ground, resulting in a cut on her right knee. Sanders alleged that Ball hit her on the thigh during the confrontation, which resulted in a bruise.

The university issued a statement on Monday evening, saying, “We are aware of the matter, which is currently being reviewed by the appropriate authorities. The student-athlete’s status with the team is unchanged. We will have no further comment.”

The petition includes nine more accusations against the lineman.

“I have requested that we have no contact when we broke up and he still goes out of his way to contact me or be near me,” Sanders wrote. “[Ball] is a violent person and I’m scared he’s going to take it too far.”

Ball was a 4-star recruit out of Fredericksburg, Virginia when he committed to the Seminoles in 2016. He was the No. 21 offensive tackle in the nation according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. He chose FSU over SEC programs including Auburn and LSU.

A court hearing it set for Thursday, Nov. 9.