Linebacker Moffitt's wife: 'He's living a lie'

TAMPA -- For the past four years, Ben Moffitt has been a standout linebacker for USF’s football team, celebrated just as much as a father and husband, a family man who made a daily 55-mile commute from campus to be with his family.

It was a heartwarming story, told everywhere from local papers to ESPN to the New York Times. But for nearly the last two months, it’s been a much different story.

Shauna Moffitt said Thursday that her husband left her with their two children, ages 5 and 3, on Nov. 11 – the day after the Bulls won at Syracuse -- and has had limited contact with them since. Throughout his time at USF, his scholarship checks have helped pay for the rent or mortgage, but since leaving, Moffitt has not done anything to support his family financially, she said.

“He is living a lie,” she said. “He’s lying to everyone. He’s not helping (us) with anything.”

Their marriage of five years has deteriorated to the point that Shauna, 26, made public Thursday a larger allegation, saying that she had taken multiple online courses for her husband and written papers for his college classes to keep him eligible to play football.

“I have written every single paper he has ever written in five years at USF,” said Shauna, who works as a data specialist in the Sumter County Appraiser’s Office.

As of 3 p.m. Thursday, USF officials had not responded to questions seeking comment on the academic allegations.

Moffitt, reached by phone Thursday afternoon, said it is “very unfortunate” that the matter had been made public but declined further comment, referring questions to Tavares divorce attorney A.J. Rohe. Rohe said divorce papers would be filed later Thursday in Sumter County.

“It’s our position that it’s harmful to the children when this personal stuff is aired in the papers,” said Rohe, who was retained by Moffitt on Thursday. “We’re disappointed that she would choose to do something in an attempt to damage his reputation and his potential for future earnings.”

Moffitt’s wife and children were noticeably absent on the field at Raymond James Stadium when USF’s seniors were honored before their final home game. A week later, when questioned after USF’s football game at Pittsburgh in late November, Moffitt said the relationship was fine. Asked why he wasn’t wearing his wedding ring, he said it was in his pocket, that he didn’t wear it during games.

Moffitt’s family is well-known to Bulls fans; Shauna was interviewed on ESPNU during USF’s football game at Florida Atlantic this season, and Ben has brought his 5-year-old son along with him for postgame news conferences.

USF has marketed Moffitt, 23, as a family man, touting him for national awards with the phrase “Linebacker. Leader. Husband. Father.” Moffitt, who started 43 games at USF, was a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy, which considers off-field contributions in addition to football accomplishments.

Moffitt has continued to perpetuate the feel-good story that USF has promoted. Just last week, as the Bulls prepared for the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, Moffitt was interviewed about his family life by The Register-Guard, a newspaper in Oregon.

“It’s a weird balance,” Moffitt told the newspaper, more than six weeks after he had left the family’s Bushnell home. “It can be hard, but it also just comes with the territory I guess, and it’s been working out.”

Not exactly. After their initial separation, Shauna said Ben visited their two children twice a week, but that stopped after a month. She said she does not know where he is living, and he has changed his cellphone, initially only calling from a blocked number before later giving her the number.

Moffitt finished his USF career Monday with 331 total tackles, the second-highest mark in Bulls history behind Kawika Mitchell, who had 367 from 1999-2002. Moffitt is projected a mid-round pick in April's NFL Draft, rated by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. as the fourth-best inside linebacker in this year's class.

Comments

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[chris judd]

Thats what happens when the wife gets complacent and gains alot of weight.

She let herself go and he let go of her.

I have freinds who have gone thru same thing where the wife gets huge - and I am not just talking about aging - I am saying two years into the marraige she is twice her size and that is deal breaker to a man it just is false advertising on her part.

[Chicabull]

USF fans should really hope that this doesn't start a big investigation into their program. This would look really good compared to what else is uncovered. Too bad for Moffitt being a fake.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I meant "I find it hard to believe that they are NOT doing an internal investigation."

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I really find it hard to believe that they are doing some sort of internal investigation into cheating by athletes. Something like that would come from the top by somebody like Genshaft.

If Genshaft doesn't have the commone sense to look out for the reputation of the school she leads then she should be fired. I would be shocked if they weren't doing an internal audit.

Would they come out and say "yeah we are doing a full scale investigation into athletic cheating?"

NO CHANCE!

But if they aren't looking into this online cheating crap -- and kids not writing their papers ala Tennessee - then they need to pull their heads out of there you know whats.

Genshaft can't be that stupid. Stuff like that ends up costing college presidents their jobs.

[Rob]

Greg you made a comment on how Ari and I bicker like school children! Now your gossiping like one! Do some sports reporting jackazz!

[Larry]

What a loser! I hope he drops like a rock in the draft.. USF should follow FSU's lead and investigate to see if the cheating is more wide-spread.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Mikey.

You have lost your mind bro.

You have serious issues.

[Mikey]

SAD on her behalf. Really SAD! First, Greg, you have to write what was reported to you but that doesn't mean its true. Secondly, she is obviously scorned because there have been many women who have experienced worse from their husbands but did not engagse in a smear campaign. We don't know if ONE thing she said is true. Because she said it DOES NOT make it true. Third, she has not thought this thing thru because it could hurt her and the kids financially (hurt his future earnings) and emotionally (everyone will call daady a cheat) by engaging in this behavior.
Finally, she obviously KNEW he wanted out of the marriage and felt his new found success would leave her alone with the kids as he begins to live a new life of glamour. Remember the night when former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth was elected, his estranged wife called him from a phone booth and killed his son and herself because allegedly he wanted a divorce and she probably could not fathom the idea of him being so popular without him. This might be a notch above that.
Just a thought

[Revrend Gonna Change]

Ben.

Tell your sins to the lord and all will be forgiven.

[Pat]

To all you guys: what does this woman's weight have to do with ANYTHING--wake up! These new girls are only after your earning potential, do you honestly think if your were making a regular salary she would be interested in you at all

[shesaskank]

Ben does have a girlfriend. Honey, do you really think he wouldn't do the same to you? I hope you realize EVERYONE thinks you are trash... and you are. Who dates a married man with children? He's not THAT good.

[Donald Trump]

From the immortal words of Donald Trump regarding Rosie O' Donnell....
"SHE'S FAT AND DISGUSTING!"

[Stephen]

While I think you did the right thing Greg, please tell us why you sat on this story for two months and waited until after the USF bowl?

[Dave]

She might have been cute in middle school, but she's a huge terrifying tub of lard now.

And apparently she's mean and vindictive.

I applaud this guy for getting the hell out of there. Scary!

[Mike Och]

Jarred,
Stick to subs. I was going to be the benevolent dictator of the world when I was 18, but my freaking wife got in the way.

[Sir top me off]

oh yeah now RR is a preacher, how convenient someone gives some tangible insight that Ben was considering the ministry and here comes RR ole holy roller himself to give us his insight.

Ben got married when he was 17, and his wife was what 20? Sounds to me like he was a victim back then.

Where's some stuff about hoops?

[zippythepinhead]

I think Greg's days of access to the athletic building will be severely limited from now. Good luck getting those probing sports questions answered next year, Mr. USF Beat Writer.

[RR]

Jarred...

I don't know about everything that's going on here, but just because Ben Moffitt was considering becoming a preacher as a high school senior doesn't mean he has the same set of values as a 23-year-old.

I am a preacher myself, and some of what I thought were the finest of men have turned out to be severely morally lacking.

People change, and words can be very hollow, no matter how things may appear.

I loved Ben as a Bull. One of my favorie players ever. I hope things work out here, but this is defnitely a bad situation, no matter what.

[dg]

sorry jarred greg and the times are the ultimate arbiters of what's good clean facts. The Times say Ben is a sleeze bag until they say otherwise. Just kidding of course, you've shed some very keen insight one that if the Times had a sack would explore.

The one sidedness of reporting lives on....

[jarred]

I will say it again, this story is just one side and does not reflectthe true character of either party. Ive known them both for years and noone is mentioning the fact that Ben wasnt even goin to play football and was goin to go into minstry fulltime and become a preacher, if that doesnt speak for the kind of man he is to all of you and are jumping to judge before both sides are revealed then i dont know what will.

IN BEN WE TRUST

[sb]

wow greg counseling people on what is righteous for a public forum....talk about pot calling kettle black. Thanks dad anymore smut you can pettle us?

How about something on the Cuse game or do you guys got Leavitt's wife mic'ed up hoping for some neat bloopers to give us later or your blog?

[Cat Five Cane]

Moffitt... This is about your life and how you become a man.

Running away or ignoring the fact that you have dependents doesn't work and it makes you look like a degenerate.

Suggest to man-up and take care of your business, your kids and your X before it gets worse.

Good luck.

[FREDTERP44]

A joke. When will they learn. FREDTERP

[Jerry Springer]

This story would be waaaaaaaaaaay too controversial for my show.

[ufb]

All schools make academic exceptions, even the beloved Gators.

Research this, as stated on ESPN about a week ago.

Tim Tebow had a 780 on his SAT. That score is not high enough to enter the "great" institution of UF.

Very Special Exception there!

UCF would make special exceptions if they could convince talented players to play their. But they are left with sub-BCS talent as it is.

Ari next time get wings at the clubhouse.

[G.A.]

I'm here, guys. Just busy. And spending far too much time deleting comments. Please be smart in what you're saying here; it might seem funny, but that doesn't make it appopriate for a public forum. Thanks for all the relevant, appropriate comments here -- a lot of good discussion.

[Jim]

This guy said that USF graduates more players than UCF and UF..BWAHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAH.
You have the lowest APR score in the state moron and UCF has the highest graduation rate in Florida per NCAA.org. Thats why we have a strict coach and got rid of coach K moron. Lets not forget the 40+ academic exceptions and football-only majors.

[Jim]

Funny how you guys are so defensive when UCF said something, but once this comes out you come out with every expletive possible. He is still his babies mama and for USF that is the status quo. Dont blame her that USF recruits a bunch of shady characters and thugs..

[Ari Hinkelberger]

It's odd.
Greg writes this article and then "poof" he is gone. Like our running game on 1st and 10 - Greg Auman is no where to be found.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Cuse game is on ABC 28 at 12 noon.

I have a good feeling about this game.

And its not gas... or those crappy wings at had at hooters.

[Hillary Clinton]

This is all bogus.

It's part of a "vast right-wing conspiracy."

[Steve]

Honestly, I wouldn't care at all - except that every game they would say 'This guy drives 50 miles each way, has two kids and is married...' And I would agree that his personal life has nothing to do with ability to play football, and that was the exact thing I was saying everytime I had to hear about his drive and kids for all these weeks. It was brought up by him or USF, and even if it wasn't - he sure didn't try to stop them from broadcasting it. I was so sick of hearing about his personal life during a football game, now that it is negative - you all are on here complaining that it should not be talked about. You got to take the good with the bad. Maybe he should have found a place closer to school...

[sv]

What Channel is the BBall game on?

[Herman Momart]

I agree with Ken and Ari. This story is already getting old. Everyone I know at USF who i have told and hasnt heard about it responded with "So".

Cuse tomorrow baby!

[Ken]

Ditto. Let's have a story about BB! We've got the best team we've had in a decade or two, and a big game tomorrow.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I am ready for this story to end. I really could care less what two rednecks from Bushnell are doing.

Its basketball season and the press is getting eaten up by this stupid saga.

We got cuse on tv tomorrow. Big game.

[Tampa Man]

In interviews he's always "Jesus" this and "Christ" that, what a joke. Stay in Bushnell you cheating loser.

I heard in an interview that he couldnt leave the locker room after the loss to Cincinati because he didnt want to face his son, now i realize he was probably trying to escape out the back door.

Grow up Ben!

[Rumor Spreader]

I saw Ben at an apartment complex on 42nd street the other night with a group of people. I am not sure if he was banging the blonde in the group, but I wouldn't kick her out of bed.

[Bullshark]

What's next...are we going to write stories on what the current player's ex-girlfriends have to say about them? Or how about former players...Mitchell's coming to town with the Giants, lets find some girl he broke up with and print only her side, it must be the whole truth right. Angry Ex's don't exaggerate, lie and are not at all bitter. An angry Ex wouldn't take a shot unless it was 100% true...right??

Even the title of this is a bit dramatic; "He's living a lie"....he's not Political Leader from a war-torn country seeking a new identity in Tampa under a different name as a collegiate linebacker, he's a player who is seperating from his wife and both probably agreed at one point to keep this on the DL until it was final because it would be in the best interests of the children, but couldn't control herself until the draft. This is where anger and rage come with consequences; when you act with no poise to be sure and slander your Ex's and the Father of your children's reputation ( a projected NFL mid round selection), with all that is at stake, who is really losing?

[Brian]

Wow, USF is really filled with losers on and off the field.

[Daniel.]

Herman Momart, this sotry, not big? It's in the New York times. It will only get bigger.

Hate to take a shot at greg, but this is getting low.

[Al]

Ben should should hire George O'Leary to write his resume.

[dick vitale]

All these comments are Crazy Baby. Absolutely Crazy Baby. My head is going to explode. Ben Moffitt, I love you baby, but you need to stop takin it to the whole and pass the rock baby.

[Michael Vick]

Ben, wait till you are in the NFL to pull this kind of crap. That way you already have your pay day and the courts will be light on your white butt. Leavitt needs to do a better job a prepping these guys for life.

[Al]

Greg didn't write this story, Shauna Moffitt did, she's been writing all of his Bulls articles for the past 5 years!!!

[tom]

One thing you can count on out of UF is arrogance about their program. Aren't the Gaytors the ones that had a dozen arrests this year? I am so glad to be able to say I am not a Gaytor.

[Bob Saget]

Please stop sending your videos. They aren't funny.