University of Florida Football Player: ‘God Put me in the Right Place’ to Stop Sexual Assault

A linebacker for the University of Florida stated that “God put me in the right place at the right time” to prevent a sexual assault.

The Associated Press reports that University of Florida football player Cristian Garcia was “working security”  for 101 Cantina in Gainseville, Florida when he saw the incident about to take place.

Garcia said he was taking out the trash early Friday morning when he saw a young woman “pinned up against a dumpster.” Garcia said the woman’s body was limp and she appeared to be unconscious. 

There was a man with the girl who told Garcia he was the woman’s boyfriend, but Garcia said he could tell an assault was about to take place.

"Nobody deserves this to happen to them," he said. 

So Garcia made a decision. He grabbed the man who was about to assault the woman while his coworker filmed the ensuing fight. After the brief scuffle, Garcia said the man, along with his friends who had been watching, ran away.

A spokesman for the Gainesville police confirmed that Garcia and his coworker had helped stop a sexual assault from happening. The accused, Christopher Shaw, is in the Alachua County jail and has been charged with sexual battery, although he denies the charges.

Garcia said he appreciates all the attention he is receiving over the incident, but hopes to direct the focus to stopping more violent acts.

Publication date: July 25, 2016