Coach Turner Gill has announced that safety Gary Sampson and fullback Nicky Fualaau have been removed from the football program due to a violation of team rules.
Fualaau played in 32 career games with the Flames, starting 18. He finished the 2014 season with 11 carries for 31 yards and 4 catches for 31 yards. His 4th career touchdown came against JMU on Liberty’s game-winning drive, helping the Flames to its first ever FCS Playoff win in its first ever playoff appearance. Fualaau was listed as 3rd on the depth chart this spring behind Thomas Kennedy and Daquin Edwards.
Sampson started 13 of Liberty’s 14 games last season at safety. He finished 6th on the team in tackles with 51 and also had 2 interceptions. He was slotted to start at safety this coming season. The Flames are extremely inexperienced now at safety with the graduation of Jacob Hagen and Sampson’s dismissal.
According to online court records, Sampson was arrested on April 4th and charged with sale, distribution of marijuana which is a class 5 felony. He has a hearing date set for August 13.
