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Vols catch grief over football scholarship to Kingsport native convicted of rape as juvenile
Kingsport native Daniel Hood is the University of Tennessee's latest football signee.
However, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound tight end and defensive lineman has a tarnished past -- and new head coach Lane Kiffin is drawing criticism for bringing him into the Vols' fold.
Hood, who played high school football at Knoxville Catholic High School, was at the center of a Sullivan County rape trial more than five years ago. He and another teen, Robert Sanico, were charged by police in August 2003.
An investigation began after a cousin of Hoods' went to a hospital emergency room. She reported she had been bound by duct tape and raped by Hood, 14 at the time, and one of his friends.
In April of 2004, Hood was tried and convicted of kidnapping and aggravated rape in juvenile court. He appealed his conviction, and the case was heard in criminal court later that year.
In court testimony from Dec. 14, 2004, the victim tearfully relayed how Hood and his friend raped her with a plunger handle while she was bound.
Prior to that night, the teen said she and Hood "were very close. He was like a brother to me."
Following the testimony, Hood was again convicted of rape, and received a harsher sentence than previously imposed in juvenile court. The judge committed him to the Department of Children's Services until he was 19.
That time has passed and Hood is the Vols' latest signee -- on scholarship.
Considering the Vols' football program is trying to forge a new identity -- not only on the field, but off it -- the decision is being lambasted.
From opinion pages of newspapers to Internet blogs and message boards, Hood's signing is being viewed by many as "more of the same" in Big Orange Country; where a slew of players had runs-ins with the law under former coach Phillip Fulmer.
Hood's father, Allyn Hood, who runs A Hood Bonding on Clay Street, says the family expected the negative backlash, and that his son is prepared to show he is rehabilitated.
He says Daniel has been a model student at Catholic High School in Knoxville, both on the field and in the classroom. He's also has reportedly rebuilt his relationship with the victim, as Daniel's father says she has written letters in support of her cousin.
"He's very appreciative for (the opportunity)," Allyn said. "He's had a bad incident in his life, but that's been over five and a half years ago. He had 27 Division I offers; a lot of schools out West. He told everyone about (his past conviction) up front. The teams out West tried to use it to their advantage, and say, 'Hey you need to come out here and get away from all of that.'"
Simultaneously Hood, who grew up in Kingsport and rooting for the Vols, was also being recruited by Fulmer. But once word of Hood's criminal past hit the university, Fulmer ceased pursuing the prospect.
According to Allyn Hood, Kiffin began recruiting his son in December.
“We spent a lot of time researching the issue and talking to a lot of people who are well-respected in the community," Kiffin said of Hood in a statement released to the press. "Everyone spoke very highly of Daniel. He’s a very bright young man who wants to move past this incident and be a good representative for the team, the university and the community.”
Men’s athletic director Mike Hamilton said: “Daniel made a terrible mistake a number of years ago and was involved in a very bad thing. He’s very remorseful and has worked hard to turn his life around. Catholic High gave him a second chance, and he lived up to expectations. We feel like he has earned the chance to continue that.”
Daniel met with reporters on Tuesday, and according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, didn't minimize his role in what he called a "heinous" crime. Allyn said that from what he's seen on the Internet, many dissenters are under the impression the rape was recently committed.
"They don't comprehend this happened five and half years ago," said Daniel's father. "If (kids) make a mistake, (the system) is set up to rehabilitate them, not punish them. There's a lot of difference between the juvenile and adult system."
Allyn said Kiffin wants Daniel to compete at the tight end position this coming season, and that, ""He will end up being an excellent Tennessee player and student."
"Anyone who is successful, especially if they've had something (negative) in their life, are able to turn it around and grow from that," Allyn said of his son.
"There's a few dissenters out there, they want to see people fail. They dont' want to see people do good. But he's paid his dues, he's done everything he's been asked to do."
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I wish this boy well, to make that clear. I hope he is able to move on, and put all of this behind him, as I hope for the victim. I hope people can open their minds to second chances. Life is too short.
Why r we trying to stop this young mans success after he has tried to change his life for the better. He has done well at this Catholic School and made great grades to get a scholarship. I say more power to you Mr. Hood. You deserve the best out of your life no matter what kind of mistakes you have made in the past. What happened to forgiveness around here in Kingsport? Most of you writing this stuff about him probably go to church every week and still know nothing of forgiveness. I think we need to re-read ur bibles!
Hood was a 13 year old, that had a 17 year old leading him into this. Although a 13 year old knows the difference between wrong and right they are apt to make horrible decisions when prompted. When you read the court testimony, he actually did not do the act with the plunger when the 17 year old tried to get him to do it he said something to the effect of "no that is my cousin." Although we should all be accountable for our actions, where was the parental supervision? If you read further on in the testimony the victim would actually sleep over unattended in the same bed as the 13 year old. That to me is unacceptable. Although, the crime was horrible, and he was part of it, I believe it escalated past where he thought it was going. As you can read in the court case. Also he has shown remorse and has admitted to his wrong doing and attempted to make amends and paid his dues. That is of little help to the victim, but at least shows that he has the ability to be a productive member of society.....we hope.
Check out the case at
http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS
/TCA/PDF/064/HooddaOPN.pdf
Mr.Doe, if my memory serves me correctly I think the other boy was old enough to be tried as an adult and plea bargained after being transferred. I believe the juvenile system only has jurisdiction until an individual reaches the age of 19. It used to be 21, but the TN legislature changed it to 19.
i don't know lynn.. i'm glad the girl has moved on.. but isn't it like playing russian roulette? he may genuinely be rehabilitated but what if he isn't? the odds aren't in his favor.
but really, what does this say about UT? a convicted rapist on the team? seriously? why don't they just start scouting in prisons? and what if he does re-offend? then he'll have UT behind him and enough money to get out of whatever charges he'll face.
Are we sure that the victim being a member of the same family as this violent rapist didn't feel pressured to forgive this creep? If she has truly forgiven him (how she could, I cannot imagine), then let him go play ball. Otherwise, I find it reprehensible that he is given back his life when I doubt hers will ever be anything close to normal.
I agree Maria, it was not just a simple "come on' let me have it" then a "no" wrestle that turned into rape. It was a heinous act. This is someone he was close to, imagine if he didn't know her?? Bottom line is that the girl has forgiven and wants him to move on. I believe in victim's rights, and I believe if she said "castrate him", then that is what should happen. Give the victim back some control. If the victim says it is okay for him to go on to college, then let him go. He should be forever indebted to her. Like the man below, I will say...he and his father are lucky it was not my daughter. His father could not just blow off taking my daughter's innocense with a mere "child mistake". Children do not just wake up one day, and think "hey, I'll just rape this girl with a plunger". Maybe we as a society are lucky that this young teenager was taken out of the Hood home when he was, to give him a chance at rehabilitating.
and why isn't his picture with the story?
the thought of waiting to see if a now, 6'5" 260 lb man is a repeat offender is stomach turning. it's not like they were playing doctor. it was a *violent* sexual attack. he and a buddy BOUND someone he was very close to and violated her with a frickin' PLUNGER. someone he grew up with and supposedly cared for like a sister! i still think violent sex offenders should be euthanized.
I am kind of split on this one, while I will give him respect for changing his ways and doing his time and for facing his issue without hiding and answering all questions and being upfront and for seeking for forgiveness from the victim and from what it looks like actually receiving that forgiveness and through this certain individual's changes I do believe he deserves a second chance, But as a father I honestly continue to go back to the fact that he is lucky to be upright, I just continue to go back to thinking if someone ever did something like this to my child he or she would certainly feel the pain and suffering 10 fold that my child felt, I would make sure of that regardless of the consequences. My daughter is my princess and she is absolutely the only thing that matters in this world. Anyone that ever harmed her could never imagine the pain they would suffer, Its is certainly a hard topic to discuss seriously. But for this particular individual I believe he does deserve another take only because he was given a precious gift of a chance to change I am sorry to say if it was my daughter I would do everything in my power to make sure that person never had that chance.
Quoting Elaine "Otherwise, when a person has done their time and have been rehabilitated, they deserve a second chance at life".
Anybody know the statistics on repeat sex offenders ?.
I'll revisit this topic once.
isn't that bondsman who was charged for raping the 13 year old RELATIVE and having children with her related to this bondsman whose son they're talking about?
looks like some take the term keeping it in the family to a whole new level.