Michigan State Football returned to Spartan Stadium for the spring game on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Head Coach Mel Tucker continued to stress the team’s efforts to become a “player-led” team.
After Saturday night’s 29-7 loss to No. 4 Michigan in the Big House, Michigan State’s players were involved in an altercation with at least one Michigan player in the player’s tunnel.
Head Coach Mel Tucker opened his Monday press conference by addressing the incident.
“We are deeply sorry," Tucker said. "We are deeply sorry to both universities, the conference, our fans, alumni, supporters, and of course, all of our student athletes, past and present."
Sunday evening, Tucker announced the suspension of four players as a result of the physical altercations: redshirt sophomore linebacker Itayvion “Tank” Brown, freshman defensive end Zion Young, junior safety Angelo Grose and redshirt sophomore cornerback Khary Crump.
“I made a decision to suspend players based upon video evidence that was provided to me and our athletic director yesterday,” Tucker said.
According to the statement, the suspensions are effective immediately and will remain in place until investigations by law enforcement, university leadership (both Michigan and Michigan State) and the Big Ten Conference are completed.
“The suspensions will allow players to receive academic support and medical services, but they will not be able to attend any organized team activities, including meetings, practices, weight training or games,” Tucker said.
The father of Gemon Green, one of the Michigan players assaulted in the tunnel, told ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren that the family intends to press charges against the Michigan State players involved in the incident.
Ja’Den McBurrows was the other Wolverine involved in the tunnel altercation.
“Our entire team will be cooperating with law enforcement and the Big Ten Conference to further evaluate the events in Ann Arbor," Tucker said.
Tucker said at Monday's press conference he does not have a timetable for when the investigations will conclude.
When questioned on specifics of the incident, Tucker consistently said that it would be "irresponsible" to elaborate further while the investigation was still active.
Updates will be provided by the university and the program as the investigation progresses.
“Michigan State football is about integrity, discipline, unselfishness, toughness and accountability,” Tucker said. ”The incidents involving a small group of our players do not represent our culture.”
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