FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville Police Department issued a news release Monday apologizing to Arkansas Razorbacks senior guard Jaylen Barford for erroneously telling some media outlets he was cited for shoplifting.
"The information that Mr. Barford was cited in the shoplifting was wrongly reported to the news media," the statement said. "The Fayetteville Police Department regrets inaccurate information was released and apologizes to Mr. Barford, the University of Arkansas and all the news outlets that reported on the story."
According to the news release, police officers cited Indica Austin for shoplifting on Saturday at Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. Barford was present, the release said, but not cited.
Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson said it was disturbing there were erroneous reports about Barford.
"You're talking about that young man's reputation," Anderson said. "When you put it out there, you can't bring it back.
"I think that's so, so important. You [report] it with integrity. You do it the right way because that's a kid's life. That's the only thing that bothers me about it."
Barford is averaging a team-high 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
-- Bob Holt
Sports on 11/21/2017