Seven Michigan State football players are charged in a postgame melee in the Michigan Stadium tunnel last month, the Washtenaw County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Wednesday.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Seven Michigan State football players face charges postgame brawl in the Michigan Stadium tunnel last month, the Washtenaw County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Wednesday.
The most serious charge is against cornerback Kerry Crump, who faces a felony count of assault. The charges against the other six are misdemeanors. Linebacker Itayvion “Tank” Brown, linebacker Angela Grose, cornerback Justin White, linebacker Brandon Wright and linebacker Zion Young are each charged with one count of aggravated assault, while linebacker Jacoby Windman faces one count each of assault and battery.
No. 3 Michigan plays No. 2 Ohio State on the road Saturday, just hours before the Spartans close out their regular season at No. 11 Pennsylvania, needing a win to become bowl eligible.
Fights broke out in the Michigan Stadium tunnel on Oct. 29 after then-No. 4 The Wolverines defeated the Spartans 29-7. Posts on social media showed Michigan State players pushing, punching and kicking Michigan’s Ja’Dan McBurroughs in and near a hallway that does not lead to either locker room. The video shows Brown, Grose and Young making out with McBarrows.
McBarrows and defensive back Jamon Green walked up the tunnel, walking alongside the Spartans, after the game as much of the Michigan team waved to them from the field after defeating their in-state rivals for the first time in three years.
In another post, Green is surrounded by police while yelling through the tunnel at Michigan State players.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said one of the players, whom he did not identify, may have had a broken nose. He also said a Sparta player punched Green and assaulted McBurroughs when he tried to help.
Harbaugh said he expected it suspended spartans prosecute.
“At the University of Michigan, we appreciate the thoughtful, deliberate approach of the Washtenaw County District Attorney’s Office to this unfortunate incident,” Michigan State President Santa J. said in a statement. She. “We also want to express our concern for all the players involved, especially those injured. The University of Michigan will continue to cooperate fully with any additional reviews of this matter.”
Michigan State’s athletic director and football coach did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker suspended eight players — including Malcolm Jones, who has not been charged with a crime — for their roles in close combat.
After the October 29 incident, Michigan State President Samuel Stanley publicly apologized for the “violent” fight.
“I am deeply saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior of members of our football program,” Stanley said in a statement. “On behalf of Michigan State University, I offer my sincere apologies to the University of Michigan and the student-athletes who were injured.”
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