One of the best tight ends in HBCU football described being “hurt” after not being selected during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bethune-Cookman tight end Kemari Averett took to Twitter on Tuesday to express frustration about being overlooked by pro football teams.
“Not getting drafted, hurt not getting sign(ed) hurt, not (getting) a invite hurt,” Averett said on the social media platform. “I Gave my best each College season I played, never cheated the process. Unfortunately, I did have a rough past it made me the man I am today.”
Averett, who caught 39 passes for 445 yards this past season, suggested that he is currently not on an NFL roster because of “false accusations” levied against him, though he did not go into detail about the situation.
Not getting drafted,hurt not getting sign hurt, not a invite hurt. I Gave my best each College season I played, never cheated the process. Unfortunately I did have a rough past it made me the man I am today.. Haven’t seen trouble in years! Don’t really understand! No I’m not…
— Kemari Averett (@solid_mari) May 9, 2023
While at Louisville in 2019, Averett pleaded guilty to a contempt charge related to an incident where he was accused of holding a gun to his girlfriend’s head and allegedly threatening to kill her. He was also suspended by the university after the school concluded that he committed rape. Averett later sued his accuser for damages. A Louisville grand jury opted not to indict Averett on rape charges.
During his time with the Wildcats, Averett recorded 91 receptions for 1,333 yards and 17 touchdowns. Prior to the stint with B-CU, Averett spent two seasons at Louisville, where he caught 15 passes for 144 yards and tallied three touchdowns.
“Haven’t seen trouble in years! Don’t really understand! No I’m not about to post film, beg for a opportunity just not who I am!” he said. “Y’all all watch film everybody know I’m a ball player! I think it’s messed up that I wasn’t able to live my dreams because of false accusations that I clearly was found not guilty! But yet again the past strikes again!”
