MSU Players Make Bad Decisions

Why Sports Ethics?

On October 29, 2022, Michigan beat Michigan State 29-7 in Ann Arbor. The game was over, the players should have shook hands and better luck next year. That’s not what happened.

At least seven Michigan State players assaulted Michigan cornerbacks Gemon Green and Ja’Den McBurrows in the tunnel that leads from the field to the locker rooms. The MSU players got beat on the field, so they were determined to strike back long after it didn’t make a difference. They were not going to let the loss go, you see. They thought they were going to show Michigan how tough they were. It was an unethical, unprovoked, idiotic assault.

Gemon Green received injuries and he went ahead and pressed charges as he should have. The time to get tough was during the game. If the MSU players were angry at anyone, they might have started by looking in the mirror. The D1 players, some of whom might have had a shot at the NFL, knew damn well better, or should have been coached to have known better.

The Prosecutor’s Office charged six athletes with misdemeanors and one with a felony. All of the charges are alleged, of course, but the damage is done. The seven players are suspended. A couple are facing criminal charges.

Said Michigan president Santa J. Ono in a statement:

“At the University of Michigan we appreciate the thoughtful, deliberate approach from the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to this unfortunate incident. We also want to express our concern for all the players involved, especially those who were injured.

In the absence of ethics training, the seven MSU players can kiss the season — and possibly draft prospects good-bye. Because stuff like this talks to character, and NFL scouts grade these kinds of actions.

Where were the ethics?

“The University of Michigan will continue to cooperate fully with any additional reviews of this matter.”

Well, of course they will. MSU is communicating through lawyers and PR departments. As a sports ethics keynote speaker and sports ethics consultant, I am saddened to see situations where a lack of ethics training leads to these outcomes. It strikes directly to reputation and when these types of incidents occur, it stains an entire program.

Sports Ethics LLC delivers a message that stresses every choice has a consequence. In this case, the players involved will suffer the law as well as their school.

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