Diddy Issues a Statement on UCLA Football Arrest

You know a news story has traction when you're covered by the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, 50 Cent and everyone in between. Yesterday (June 22), Diddy made headlines for getting in a heated altercation with an assistant coach of the UCLA football program. The music mogul's son, Justin, is a redshirt junior for the Bruins, and has played in a handful of games as a defensive back and on special teams. Yesterday, strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi was reportedly riding Justin pretty hard during drills, and Diddy took issue with the treatment. When he confronted Alosi in his office, things got heated, and Diddy is alleged to have swung a kettlebell at Alosi. Today, with the coach back at practice (per TMZ), Diddy's camp has released a statement. ESPN reports:

"The various accounts of the event and charges that are being reported are wholly inaccurate. What we can say now is that any actions taken by Mr. Combs were solely defensive in nature to protect himself and his son."

Diddy has been charged with one count each of battery and making terrorist threats, plus three counts of assault. Sources have speculated that those charges will be dropped if Diddy agrees to be barred from future UCLA practices. According to TMZ, Justin Combs has broken his silence on the incident, saying, ""I thank God for having a father that's always there for me.. Love you pops!"

The entire incident was reportedly caught on video, which has yet to be released. Combs is scheduled to make a court appearance July 13.