After the video of Michigan State Spartans players attacking players from Michigan after their defeat by the Wolverines, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh called for accountability.
“I can’t imagine this will not result in criminal charges,” said Harbaugh after the incident.
On Wednesday, the incident resulted in just that.
Eight Michigan State players were suspended after the October 29th assault in Ann Arbor, but only seven were officially charged.
According to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, Khary Crump was charged with felonious assault. Itayvion Brown, Angelo Grose, Justin White, Brandon Wright and Zion Young were each charged with aggravated assault while Jacoby Windmon was charged with assault and battery.
The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (UMDPSS) conducted an investigation into the matter with the Michigan State University Police Department and the Michigan State police.
“At the conclusion of that investigation, UMDPSS submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office a request for criminal charges against several individuals- all staudent-athletes on the Michigan State football team,” wrote UMDPSS in a statement.
That led to the charges being filed against the aforementioned seven Spartans players.
“While we do not condone the actions taken by some football players on Oct. 29, we will support our student-athletes through this process. They are students first and their academic journey continues,” said Michigan State interim president Teresa Woodruff in part in a statement. “I do not condone inappropriate behavior by anyone on our campus or when representing MSU. And consequences, which were announced today, are part of a learning environment. But I also believe that as universities, we must make our respective environments safe places for competition.”
Santa Ono, president of the University of Michigan, also released a statement on Wednesday.
“At the University of Michigan we appreciate the thoughtful, deliberate approach from the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to this unfortunate incident,” said Ono in the statement. “We also want to express our concern for all the players involved, especially those who were injured.
“The University of Michigan will continue to cooperate fully with any additional reviews of this matter.”
We will keep you updated on future developments.