Michigan State Football Suspensions: School Suspends 8 More Players After Fight

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Eight Michigan State football players, including three starters, have been suspended from all team-related activities after being identified as being present at a fight at a campus dorm, the university announced Tuesday.

Prominent receivers Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham and defensive back Chris L. Rucker are among those suspended by coach Mark Dantonio for violating team rules. The others are running back Ashton Leggett, receiver Fred Smith, defensive back Brynden Trawick, defensive lineman Ishmyl Johnson and linebacker Jamiihr Williams.

Dantonio imposed the suspensions pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation by campus police into a Nov. 22 fight at Rather Hall, where an attorney has alleged football players disrupted a fraternity gathering.

No arrests have been made, but police are expected to send their findings to county prosecutors early next week.

Dantonio earlier dismissed running back Glenn Winston and defensive back Roderick Jenrette from the team. Both were out of the lineup with season-ending injuries.

The Spartans finished 6-6 this season and are awaiting a bowl bid. It's not clear how long the eight suspensions might last or if any of the players might be reinstated in time for the bowl game.

Players present at the fight were identified following interviews with witnesses and a review of "on-site video," a statement issued by the university said. The university did not provide details about the level of involvement players may have had in the incident that took place shortly after Michigan State's annual football awards banquet.

Vanessa Moss-Wilson, a Southfield lawyer, is representing Michigan State student Brent Mitchell, who Moss-Wilson says suffered an injured jaw in the incident. She has said football players stormed a gathering of the fraternity Mitchell is in.

A message seeking comment was left Tuesday evening for Moss-Wilson.

Comments

[samosa123]

12:20 AM on 01/03/2010

Michigan State Football Players Suspension­s Fight Video:

http://www­.monkeydol­lars.net/2­010/01/mic­higan-stat­e-football­-players.h­tml

[XRaraavis]

02:04 PM on 12/03/2009

So two guys who had season ending injuries where dismissed from the team and had there scholarshi­ps taken away because they were hurt, wait sorry I mean because they were in a fight. The others players will be suspended for a short period now when there are no more regular season games and back for the bowl game. Way to lay down the law.

[boxman15]

07:53 PM on 12/02/2009

Mark Dantonio will have almost no one to play football once bowl season comes around. He might as well say no to a bowl bid if this keeps up. (It would make me feel better as a Michigan fan)

[gtheb]

12:10 PM on 12/02/2009

Boyz will be boyz.

[SaraNader]

11:05 AM on 12/02/2009

Just say no to a bowl bid, coach.

[Nardwilly]

10:36 AM on 12/02/2009

I am proud of MSU for doing the right hing. Football palyers or students fighting is not part of MSU. I appreciate the universuty using judgement in this situation.

[greysells2]

10:04 AM on 12/02/2009

Behavior has consequenc­es. Being in sports should not result in a free pass that ordinary people do not get.

[PatA]

12:00 AM on 12/02/2009

If only Mack Brown had been more pro-active during the summer of "book 'em horns".. now two more UT players have been arrested in the last month. Winning isn't everything­. Self-disci­pline is as important as anything in his football program. These kids are flunking on that one.