“I have known and have watched Chris L. Rucker for four years on the field, in the classroom, in the community and as a team member,” Dantonio said in a statement. “The poor decision he made had need for serious consequences, which he has now met and resolved from a team and legal perspective. It does not, however, rise to a lifetime banishment.

“Our decision to immediately reinstate Chris has been endorsed by the team’s unity council and the program at large. This was a difficult decision. After much soul searching and dialogue with those who are vested in the program, I am comfortable and confident in the decision I have made.”

Dantonio said the decision on whether or not Rucker will travel with the team for the No. 5 Spartans’ game at No. 18 Iowa (3:30 p.m., ABC) will be left up to Rucker.

“My decisions can never be only about the next game,” Dantonio said. “The scoreboard I most care about has very little to do with a Saturday in October. This is about positioning a young man for a successful and productive future. Again, I am very sorry for his actions and irresponsibility. It is my hope that we can forgive his actions and move forward.”

Rucker was arrested on Oct. 10 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was backing out of the 7-11 on Albert Street when he struck another car in the parking lot, according to police documents.

Rucker, 22, had a blood-alcohol content of .10 at the time of his arrest. Michigan’s legal limit for blood-alcohol content for drivers older than 21 is .08.

Hours after the arrest, Dantonio announced the player was suspended indefinitely. Rucker received 10 days in jail for violating probation and received two years probation for a reckless driving charge. Under the stipulations of his probation sentence, Rucker was not permitted to purchase or consume alcohol.

He was released from jail after eight days.

In his statement, Dantonio said he holds himself accountable for reinstating Rucker.

“I made this call, and I should be held accountable. I hold myself accountable,” Dantonio said. “To some critics, it might be seen as a low-percentage call or the wrong decision. It is neither. To me, our coaches, and our entire team — the men in the arena — it was the right call for the right reasons.

“Each case, like every young man on this team or every other student at this university, is different.”

Prior to his arrest, Rucker was the team’s starter at one of the cornerback positions and was a key member to MSU’s undefeated start. He had 12 tackles in MSU’s 34-31 overtime win against Notre Dame.

“I have been asked about last year’s statement regarding zero tolerance,” Dantonio said. “Zero tolerance means exactly that. We have no tolerance for Chris L. Rucker’s actions. I repeat, I have no tolerance for his actions. He was immediately suspended. He has served his civil punishment, and there are other internal disciplinary measures nobody will know about outside the program. Again, zero tolerance does not mean automatic dismissal.”

On his radio show later Thursday, Dantonio also said he wanted Rucker to be able to finish his career as a Spartan.

“With four games and a bowl game left in a young person’s career, it would be a travesty to not allow him to finish as a Spartan,” Dantonio said.

To read football reporter Jeremy Warnemuende’s take on the decision, click here.