UCLA releases statement on disturbing video of defensive lineman

Jay Toia, the UCLA defensive lineman who was caught on video shouting profanity and abusive language toward a group of students while standing outside an elevator door and holding it open, has continued to practice with the team despite the altercation. With the video having gone viral, UCLA released a joint statement Wednesday night from head coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Martin Jarmond.

“We’re aware of a recent video in which a student-athlete made disparaging remarks,” the statement said. “This was inappropriate and not in line with our values and expectations. As such, we are taking disciplinary action and working with our campus partners to assist with education for the student.”

In the video, Toia can be heard making multiple disturbing comments, such as, ‘I’ll slap a b—-,’ I’ll slap a b—- too,’ ‘I don’t give a f—,’ among others. Toia can also be heard asking the students in the elevator if they go to USC and are Trojans, and one female student responds with, “No, nobody’s a Trojan here. We go to UCSB.”

UCLA athlete Jay Toia intimidates people in an elevator, preventing them from leaving after swinging at a 20 year old young woman. Supposedly mad about USC students potentially around. #ucla #usc #UCLAFootball pic.twitter.com/YW1lDid1Ul

— pretty pretty princess world champion (@bichhomiequan) November 1, 2021

According to the Los Angeles Times, Toia had his NIL partnership terminated with Campus Mogul – a college NIL apparel company – and his items have been removed from their website.

Background on Jay Toia

A native of Tonga who moved Inglewood, California and went to Grace Brethren High School, Toia originally committed to USC and played spring football before transferring to UCLA.

After joining the Bruins’ program over the summer, Toia made one appearance against Arizona. The 6-foot-3, 325-pound, 19-year old has three career tackles, including two solo tackles.

Toia played rugby as a child, along with his brother Abitoni Toia, who stuck with the sport. His cousin is current USC defensive lineman Stanley Ta’ufo’ou and another brother, Soane Toia, is a defensive lineman at San Jose State. His older brother Siaki Ika was a defensive tackle at LSU from 2019-2020.

On3’s James Fletcher III contributed to this report.