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Syracuse Football: Chauncey Scissum and Corey Winfield "Are Good" Following Stabbing

Scissum took to social media to let fans know he and Winfield are in good health.

By Ari Gilberg
Chauncey Scissum's Twitter @Proto_21

Syracuse Orange defensive back Chauncey Scissum tweeted Sunday afternoon that he and fellow Orange defensive back Corey Winfield "are good" after the two were allegedly stabbed by former teammate Naesean Howard and taken to nearby Upstate University Hospital Saturday evening.

Chauncey's father, Arthur Scissum, reiterated his son's message telling the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that Chauncey is doing well and will only need to remain in the hospital for a few days for observation.

"Everything should be OK, be all right," Arthur Scissum said. "He'll be able to continue what he normally does in a short time."

Scissum and Winfield were reportedly attending a barbecue, along with around 30 other students, outside a Syracuse University South Campus residency Saturday evening, prior to the stabbing. Shortly after Howard showed up, he attacked Scissum, stabbing him near the jaw, a friend who was in attendance and witnessed the attack told Syracuse.com's Nate Mink.

"It literally just happened out of nowhere," the friend said. "It came out of nowhere. There was no argument before. It just happened."

Winfield then attempted to shove Howard off of Scissum, getting stabbed in the chest, ribs and arms in the process. Howard, who the friend described as being "under rage," reportedly used a pocket knife to commit the alleged attacks.

The friend described Winfield as a "savior" for intervening and helping defend Scissum, who recently had surgery on his arm and was unable to properly protect himself.

"Chauncey couldn't hit him at all," the friend said. "Chauncey had one arm. At the end of the day, if there is a big savior in this whole situation, it's Corey Winfield. He put his life on the line for his best friend."

The police currently have a slightly different version of the attack, according to Mink. As of right now, the Syracuse Police Department believe Howard first stabbed Winfield in his lower right back, upper right chest, and left abdomen and left wrist. He then attacked Scissum, stabbing him on the right side of his neck, right upper chest, left shoulder and bottom lip.

Sgt. Richard Helterline told Mink the police based its current assessment of the stabbing around a statement given by a witness.

Howard has been charged with with two counts of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, according to police. He is currently being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center. Howard was arraigned in Syracuse City Court Monday morning and is due back 10 a.m. April 22. He is currently being held on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond, Syracuse.com's Sarah Moses first reported.

The former Syracuse defensive back was initially dismissed from the program by ex-Orange head coach Scott Shafer in 2014 due to a violation of team rules. Howard left the university shortly after. He re-enrolled at Syracuse in 2015, and contacted newly-hired head coach Dino Babers this past spring in an attempt to rejoin the team.

However, Howard was rebuffed and told he would have to wait until the summer before possibly being allowed to participate in workouts and try out then.

Shortly after it was reported that Scissum and Winfield were the two unidentified Syracuse students who Howard allegedly stabbed, current and former coaches, teammates and friends took to Twitter to express their support.

Former Syracuse defensive back, and current Arizona Cardinals safety, Durrell Eskridge

Current Notre Dame defensive tackle, and friend of Scissum's, Jarron Jones

Former Syracuse offensive line coach Joe Adam

Current Syracuse defensive lineman Jake Pickard

Former Syracuse linebacker, and current linebackers coach at Colgate, Siriki Diabate

Former Syracuse defensive back, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad member, Keon Lyn

Former Syracuse recruiting assistant, and current director of recruiting and player personnel at Louisiana-Monroe, Cole Dial

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