Senior’s college football career ends after girlfriend allegedly throws boiling water on him

Peter Holland, Jr.//Asst. Sports Director

Jonnu Smith’s college career came to an end after his girlfriend, Mary Gaspar, allegedly threw boiling water on the starting tight end on Halloween.

Gaspar, who is five months pregnant with Smith’s child, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, a second-class felony, after voluntarily turning herself in at the FIU Police Department on Nov. 2, according to an arrest affidavit received by Student Media.

Gaspar waived her Miranda rights and described what took place, the affidavit stated.

“The [defendant] stated that she had a verbal argument with her boyfriend (victim) throughout the day. Upon arrival to his dorm room the [defendant] stated that she was angered over his lack of attention to their relationship and was feeling extremely emotional and stressed,” stated the affidavit.

Gaspar then allegedly began to boil a pot of water in the dorm’s kitchen.

“The [defendant] stated that she walked with the pot of boiling water over to the victim and intentionally poured the boiling water onto the victim,” the affidavit continues.

Smith suffered severe burns on his head, neck, back, a shoulder and an arm, and was transported to Kendall Regional for treatment. There are no further details on his condition.

In addition to allegedly pouring the water on the victim, Gaspar told police that she began to intentionally strike the Smith with open hands “due to his lack of reaction after the boiling water was poured onto him,” the affidavit continues.

Gaspar was arrested and transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without incident. She has since been released on a pre-trial release order.

Despite returning to the team and being seen on campus, Smith will be inactive for the rest of the season.

Smith had 39 catches for 441 yards and three touchdowns on the season. During his FIU career he became fifth all-time in school history with 175 catches and 1,936 receiving yards and third all-time with 17 touchdown catches. He also holds a school record for most touchdowns in a game and is tied with his teammate Thomas Owens for most touchdown catches in a season.

Smith had a breakout season in his sophomore year when he finished the 2014 season with 61 catches for 710 yards and eight touchdowns. In addition to leading the nation in receiving yards catches and touchdowns for all tight ends during that year, he was voted First Team All-Conference USA and SI.com voted him All-American Honorable Mention after leading the nation in receiving yards among tight ends.

Every year Smith has been on the Preseason John Mackey Award Watch List for most outstanding tight end. In 41 consecutive games as a starter, he had at least one catch in a game, which is ranked in the top ten in the NCAA record books.

He has not accomplished a winning season as the starting tight end under former head coach Ron Turner and interim coach Ron Cooper.

The Panthers are 3-7 (3-3 in C-USA) going into their first bye week of the season. With two more games left, the Panthers will have their final home game on Nov. 19 against Marshall University at 7 p.m. They will finish their season on the road against Old Dominion University on Nov. 26.

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