Expect results of the Michigan State football tunnel assault investigation this week
The Big Ten and the authorities have been quiet since what Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh called an “assault” on cornerbacks Gemon Green and Ja’Den McBurrows by several Michigan State players Oct. 29. The Big Ten, in fact, only provided a generic statement after the incident, and in the very early morning hours the Sunday following.
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“The Big Ten Conference is aware of an incident this evening at Michigan Stadium between student-athletes from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan,” it read. “The conference is currently gathering information, will thoroughly review the fact, and will take appropriate action.”
Since then … not a peep.
Harbaugh and his team have moved on, and his players said he had an “epiphany” last week that it was time to move forward. He said Monday he hadn’t been in contact with the Big Ten or investigators about the progress.
“No,” he said when asked that question. “I was told that we’d probably hear something this week.”
Later, it was clarified that he was speaking specifically about hearing from the Big Ten. But Harbaugh made it clear the Monday after the game he felt charges would be pressed.
“Right now, we have an ongoing police investigation. What happened in the tunnel was egregious,” he said. “It’s sickening to watch the videos, the ones that are on social media right now, and also the ABC tunnel cam that’s in a higher elevation and shows much more of what took place.
“As I said, those are sickening to watch. There needs to be accountability. There needs to be a full, thorough, timely investigation. I can’t imagine that these will … that this will not result in criminal charges. The videos are bad, and it’s clear what transpired. It seems very, very open and shut. As they say … watch the tape.”
Green, who was reportedly in concussion protocol after the incident for which eight Michigan State players were suspended, traveled and went through warm-ups with his fellow defensive backs, but freshman Will Johnson started in his place. Johnson gave up one big pass play over the middle on which he missed a tackle, but he also notched an interception that set up a score.
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The Michigan players said they played for their “brothers.”
“We all know the events that happened last week,” senior defensive lineman Mike Morris said after Michigan pounded Rutgers, 52-17. “We took the high road and let everybody handle what happened. All we had to do was go out there and play football.
“We did it for Gemon. We played for [sophomore corner] Ja’Den McBurrows. We had our brothers’ back in that moment and on this field.”
Green and McBurrows usually walk up the tunnel together, Green to shower early so he can spend time with his father. His dad is a truck driver who makes the trip from Texas to watch his son play, and Green and his twin brother, defensive back German Green, meet him and other family after the game.
Last Saturday night, however, several MSU players ganged up on him and appeared to land blows with both fists and helmets. The incident remains under investigation.
Morris said it boosted morale to have Green on the sideline at Rutgers, even if he didn’t play.
“It meant the world,” Morris said. “Just watching that video … we feel like we let somebody down. We took the field, played our brand of football in the second half.”
And pulled away for their ninth straight win with 38 unanswered points in the second half.
