Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker was accompanied by security Thursday night to his weekly fan-attended in-person radio appearance after he faced “excessive backlash and death threats” earlier in the week, according to the Woodward Sports Network.
Tucker and athletic director Alan Haller indefinitely suspended eight football players pending investigation for their involvement in kicking and punching at least two Michigan players as both teams headed through the same tunnel on the way to separate locker rooms inside Wolverine Stadium following last week’s rivalry game. Michigan trounced Michigan State, 29-7.
A uniformed police officer sat nearby the stage as Tucker and the show’s host addressed the audience. That is not usually the case, per the report.
“First and foremost, Michigan State football is about integrity, discipline, unselfishness, toughness and accountability,” Tucker said during the show. “I made a decision to suspend the players based on video evidence that was provided to me and our athletic director. Our entire team will be cooperating with law enforcement and the Big Ten Conference to fully evaluate the events that took place in Ann Arbor. When we have a full report, I’ll address further actions, if needed.”
Michigan defensive back Gemon Green, who allegedly was hit in the head with a helmet during the altercation, plans to press criminal charges, according to an ESPN report.
Michigan State plays at Illinois on Saturday.