While the Atlanta Police Department investigates Robert Nkemdiche's 15-foot fall at an area hotel, a new report may offers clues as to what led to the incident.
Citing multiple unnamed sources, Outkick the Coverage learned Nkemdiche was using synthetic cannabinoids when he fell from a ledge after breaking his double-paned window at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta hotel on Sunday.
When the police officers arrived at the scene they found Nkemdiche on the ground with people described as "associates" of his. Nkemdiche was conscious, but was taken to the hospital for undisclosed injuries.
Also referred to as "synthetic" or "fake" marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids is known to cause hallucinations or delusions because it is produced with processed chemicals. Those chemicals also prevent the substance from showing up on drug tests, unlike natural marijuana.
The APD searched Nkemdiche's room and found it to be "in complete disarray," ESPN noted of the incident report. In the room was also "seven rolled marijuana cigarettes, rolled in Cigarillo Blunt papers," per the report.
Ole Miss head football coach Hugh Freeze addressed the matter in his weekly press conference, noting that he was away recruiting when Nkemdiche suffered his fall.
"Anytime these things happen with young men there is no cut-and-dry answer, particularly when you don't know all of the facts," Freeze told reporters Monday. "I haven't had a chance to visit with Robert yet. I certainly want to give him that before we talk about details. My main concern when I first heard it was his health. I believe he had stitches in his back and some of his leg, from just a short talk with he and his father on the phone."
Charged with marijuana possession and possibly suffering from injury related to the fall, Nkemdiche's status for Ole Miss' Sugar Bowl game is unclear. Freeze has not made a ruling on that matter and said he was just thankful for his player's well-being.
"It was really short. It was actually in between homes last night when he finally called me," Freeze said of his conversation with Nkemdiche. "I said, 'Are you okay?', and he said, 'Yes, I am okay coach.' He said he was sorry. I said, 'We will talk about all the details after we talk about all the facts, but I'm glad that you are okay.' Sometimes, when bad things happen, there are some silver linings. It's a blessing that he wasn't on the 10th floor; it could have been tragic."
