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LA attorney releases statement accusing Michigan player of starting tunnel fight

November 8, 2022
<p>Spartan Stadium – or The Woodshed — is where the Michigan State Spartans compete in every packed home game. Photographed on July 19, 2022.</p>

Spartan Stadium – or The Woodshed — is where the Michigan State Spartans compete in every packed home game. Photographed on July 19, 2022.

Photo by Devin Anderson-Torrez | The State News

In a press release Tuesday afternoon, Dave Diamond, an attorney representing one of the eight suspended Michigan State football players, alleged that a Michigan player started the fight in the tunnel following the rivalry game on Oct. 29. 

“We have learned that the UM player started the altercation,” Diamond said in the press release. “Eyewitnesses have described it as charging with his helmet and throwing a punch.”

The player being represented by Diamond wishes to remain unnamed, he confirmed to The State News.

The investigation is still ongoing. None of the claims made by Diamond are currently verifiable. 

“Given the history of this rivalry and the recent disregarded motto of winning with class, this case does not warrant a criminal filing,” Diamond said in the document. 

Diamond is a Criminal Defense Attorney located in Los Angeles. He often appears on television and radio shows to discuss nationally relevant cases.  It is also worth noting that he is a Michigan State alumni. 

In the press release, Diamond uses the phrase “hail to the victims” in reference to Michigan, saying that this “song and dance” does nothing to help the “fact-finding mission”. 

The release also brings up prior Michigan-involved incidents that have nothing to do with the current tunnel investigation, alleging  “impartially” in the justice system when it comes to persecuting the supposed wrongdoings by the University of Michigan. 

Diamond went on to criticize the security in the player’s tunnel and claim that his client “responded to the situation before him.” 

It is worth noting that the initial press release included multiple errors, such as misspelling the name of former Michigan football player Devin Bush Jr. (it is spelled “Devon” Bush in the release) and using “a” instead of “an” in the phrase “an investigation.”

Numerous videos made public after the game show multiple Michigan State players assaulting Michigan defensive backs Gemon Green and Ja’Den McBurrows. Green has since hired an attorney, Tom Mars, to represent him.

Michigan State initially suspended four players the night after the game — redshirt sophomore linebacker Itayvion 'Tank' Brown, freshman defensive end Zion Young, junior safety Angelo Grose and redshirt sophomore cornerback Khary Crump — before suspending four more players — senior linebacker/defensive end Jacoby Windmon, redshirt junior cornerback Justin White, senior defensive end Brandon Wright, and freshman cornerback Malcolm Jones — shortly after.

All eight players did not play Saturday at Illinois and will remain suspended indefinitely.

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