Arkansas fires ex-Falcons coach Petrino

Atlanta Falcons

Arkansas has fired Bobby Petrino, saying he "knowingly misled" and engaged in reckless behavior in a relationship with a female football employee half his age. The 51-year-old Petrino was injured in an April 1 motorcycle accident.

Petrino was put on paid leave last week after admitting he lied about the presence of a 25-year-old employee, Jessica Dorrell (above), who had been riding with him.

An emotional Jeff Long, the athletic director at Arkansas, pauses during a news conference to announce that Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino had been terminated.

In this photo taken Sunday, April 1, 2012 and provided by the Arkansas State Police, the wreckage of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino's motorcycle rests off the shoulder of a highway near Crosses, Ark.

Amy Payne, foreground, of Berryville, Ark., who started a Facebook page in support of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino, leads the crowd in "calling the hogs" during a rally in support of Petrino in Fayetteville, Ark., Monday, April 9, 2012.

Taver Johnson will serve as Arkansas interim head coach.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino, right, congratulates quarterback Ryan Mallett (15) after a touchdown against Texas A&M in 2010.

Petrino (left) was the Falcons head coach in 2007 before leaving during the season to take the Arkansas job.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank reacts with anger, disappointment, and dejection at the unexpected resignation of Petrino in 2007.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank (left) and President and General Manager Rich McKay discuss Petrino's departure in 2007.

Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy scratched through Bobby Petrino's letter to the players and replaced his name with the word "Coward!" in 2007.

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Arkansas has fired Bobby Petrino, saying he "knowingly misled" and engaged in reckless behavior in a relationship with a female football employee half his age. The 51-year-old Petrino was injured in an April 1 motorcycle accident.

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