According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, seven Michigan State football players have been charged for their actions during the postgame melee in the tunnel of Michigan Stadium last month.
The charges, which were made public prior to the teams’ final games of the regular season, do not involve any Michigan players.No.3 Michigan faces off against No.2 The Big Ten East Division title is at stake when Ohio State plays on the road on Saturday.The Spartans finish the season at No. 1 a few hours later.11 Penn State, requiring a victory to qualify for the bowl.
After the Wolverines’ 29-7 victory over the Spartans on Oct. 29, fights broke out in the tunnel of Michigan Stadium.Posts on social media showed players from Michigan State pushing, punching, and kicking Michigan’s Ja’Den McBurrows in a hallway that doesn’t lead to either locker room. The incident occurred near the hallway.
On video, Brown, Grose, and Young are seen arguing with McBurrows After the game.
McBurrows and defensive back Gemon Green walked with the Spartans up the tunnel. This occurred as a large portion of Michigan’s team waved the Spartans off the field after the Spartans beat their in-state rivals for the first time in three years.
Recent Reports from ABC News In another post, Green is seen yelling at Michigan State players across the tunnel while being surrounded by police.
A misdemeanor conviction for assault carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, while a misdemeanor conviction for assault and battery carries a maximum sentence of 93 days in prison.
One of the players, Jim Harbaugh, Michigan coach, said—he didn’t say who—may have had a broken nose.He also claimed that McBurrows was attacked when he attempted to assist Green and that a Spartans player had punched Green.
The prosecutor’s statement offered no additional information about the allegations, including who is alleged to have hit whom.It also stated that the office would not provide any additional information as the case progressed.When the accused players will appear in court for the first time was not clear.
Michigan State’s athletic chief and football trainer didn’t quickly return demands for input.
The thoughtful, deliberate approach from the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to this unfortunate incident was praised by Michigan President Santa J. Ono in a statement released on Wednesday.
After the charges were filed, Green’s attorney, Tom Mars, stated that he was not at all surprised by the prosecutor’s decision.
Malcolm Jones, who was not charged, was one of eight players that Michigan State coach Mel Tucker suspended for their roles in the melee.
Samuel Stanley, then-President of Michigan State, made a public apology for the volent skirmish following the incident on Oct. 29.He didn’t leave because of the fight that happened in Ann Arbor last month.
Stanley said in a statement at the time, I’m extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program. I sincerely apologize on behalf of Michigan State University to the University of Michigan and the injured student athletes.
Michigan State Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff issued a statement after the charges were announced on Wednesday, stating that the school would continue to evaluate this matter and cooperate with any investigative reviews.
She stated, We will support our student-athletes through this process despite the fact that we do not condone the actions taken by some football players on Oct. 29. Restorative justice methods and education about harmful behavior are very important to MSU.