DEFENSE: Attorney Claims That A Michigan Player, Not A Michigan State Player, Sparked Tunnel Brawl
According to a letter sent to media outlets by attorney Dave D. Diamond, the Michigan v. Michigan State tunnel fight that has gone viral across social media was allegedly sparked by a Michigan player. Diamond represents one of the suspended Michigan State players accused of being involved in the altercation but his client’s name is presently unknown.
Linebacker Tank Brown, cornerback Khary Crump, safety Angelo Grose and defensive end Zion Young are the four Michigan State players that were suspended indefinitely for their alleged roles in the incident. In his statement, Diamond says that a Michigan player allegedly “engaged with Spartan athletes with his helmet and swinging a punch.”
“The media has taken the bait from a coach and master victim and his howls at the moon. The repeated ‘hail to the victims’ song and dance does not contribute to the fact-finding mission. Where were the screams from Ann Arbor to criminally charge (men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard) with assault or (former Michigan football player Devin Bush Jr.) with felony vandalism. The silence was palpitating. The hypocrisy is painful. While we acknowledge wrongdoing by all parties, this is not an incident that warrants criminal charges being filed. We have seen similar behavior and even worse on the gridiron and suddenly because it happens in a tunnel, known for incompetent security and poor post-game management, there are calls for criminal charges. My client is a young man who responded to the situation before him.”
The family of Michigan’s Gemon Green recently expressed their intent to press charges against the Michigan State players. Green was identified as one of the two Michigan players that sustained injuries that required medical treatment during Saturday’s altercation with Michigan State. The other player was his teammate, Ja’Den McBurrows.
Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh advocated for accountability when addressing the media.
“There needs to be a full, thorough, timely investigation. I can’t imagine this will not result in criminal charges. The videos are bad. It’s clear what transpired. This is very open and shut. As they say, watch the tape,” Harbaugh said.
The head coach continued, emphasizing how serious he takes this situation and saying that he is not just a coach entrusted with the safety of another family’s child, but also as a father himself.
“These young men are entrusted to me by their families and to our program, and we have the responsibility to each player to treat them like our own, and I take that responsibility very seriously. An apology will not get the job done in this instance. There should be serious consequences for the many individuals that are culpable.”
Yardbarker has more HERE.
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