The altercation led to third-degree assault and eluding arrest charges for Linthicum. However, he agreed to a plea deal that lowered both of those charges to misdemeanors, and the tight end will serve one year of probation.

“It was a learning experience for Max and myself,” Linthicum said.
“Definitely shows that our idea of going to Aspen and laying low is not reality. We need to be more responsible as student-athletes and as public figures and not put ourselves in those situations.”

For Bullough, he will serve nine months of probation after pleading guilty to a minor in possession charge.

Bullough agreed with Linthicum about how the incident opened their eyes to being a public figure. He said when they returned to school, he received dirty looks from classmates, and that is when he realized how big of a story the incident was considered.

“I didn’t know it would be that big of an issue mediawise,” he said. “It really blew my mind after it happened, how much it blew up, which made me even more disappointed in myself, regardless of how others felt.”

Both said MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio sat down and talked with them separately.

As part of the punishment they had to serve for the team, both immediately were dropped to the bottom of the depth chart at their positions.

“It definitely mentally changes your perspective on things,” Linthicum said. “We definitely came in and worked twice as hard to make up for some of the stuff we did and being at the bottom (of the depth chart).”

Bullough said the toughest part was serving a two-practice suspension and having to watch his teammates from the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center.

“It’s hard because you’re letting them down each and every play they’re out there working and sweating,” Bullough said.

After only a couple of weeks, the two started taking reps with the first unit again. They both are expected to play Saturday in the spring game.

Rings
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said Tuesday the team would be given its Big Ten championship rings Saturday after the Green and White game.

“We will have a picnic, and they will get their trophy rings as I call them,” Dantonio said. “They’re big. It will be exciting.”

Replacing Greg Jones
Replacing a two-time All-American and four-year starter is not going to be an easy task. To say the least, defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has his hands full.

However, he admitted to seeing some great things already from this year’s group. Specifically, Narduzzi pointed out Bullough and called him “very intelligent” and already the team looks to him as a leader.

“He’s doing an exceptional job,” Narduzzi said. “He’ll see a formation and say, ‘Oh, it goes this way because of this.’ He understands how the pieces are all put together, from the secondary to the defensive line.”