Baylor players heartbroken by Pepper Hamilton report

DALLAS - Baylor quarterback Seth Russell was on a mission trip in Brazil with other athletes from the private Baptist school when he got the text message from Art Briles saying he was no longer their football coach.

Russell on Tuesday described it as a ''punch in the gut'' hearing what came out in the wake of Briles' departure after winning two Big 12 titles at the school.

An independent review by the Pepper Hamilton law firm said football coaches and staff interfered with investigations into sexual assault complaints against players, and even impeded potential criminal proceedings.

Nearly two months after that report, Russell said the team was focused on staying together.

Bears senior center Kyler Fuller says he was heartbroken and very surprised to hear what had happened.