By T. Scott Boatright
The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Monday that 18 Grambling State University football players have been suspended for at least one game and that GSU will be fined $40,000 as a result of Saturday’s brawl before the second half of the Tigers’ game against Bethune Cookman began.
The brawl before the second half began came as the Tigers were coming down the ramp from their locker room onto the turf on their sideline. At least two Wildcats walked through the Grambling team, causing tempers to flare. It ended up with four or five minutes of scuffling followed by another 10-15 minutes for the referees to regain control, figure out who was going to be ejected from the ongoing game, and then start the second half.
Nine players from Bethune Cookman were also suspended for at least one game, bringing the total number of suspensions to 27. Three of those suspensions were announced to be for two games due to the severity of those players’ actions, but the names of the suspended players have not yet been announced by either university or the SWAC Office.
“We’re extremely disappointed by the events that transpired during halftime of the Bethune-Cookman at Grambling State football game,” said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. “Acts of that nature have zero place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and intercollegiate athletics.”
“The Conference Office has and will continue to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for all acts deemed to be unsportsmanlike and contrary to the high standard of good sportsmanship we expect from all individuals associated with the athletics programs within our league.”
GSU Athletics Director Trayvean Scott addressed local media to start of GSU Coach Mickey Joseph’s weekly press conference inside the Eddie G. Robinson Stadium Support Facility on Monday morning.
“I lead this department, so I have to issue an apology to all of the Grambling State University family, all of our stakeholders and distinguished alumni,” Scott said. “Obviously that is not who we are. Not going into some of the events that unfolded — led to it — I want to assure you that we’ve got a quality group of young men who reacted based on some of those unfortunate circumstances. That is not an excuse. We accept full responsibility.
“The fine portion of it we will more than likely appeal, and even some of the severities of some of the suspensions we will also more than likely appeal one or more of those.”
That press conference happened before the SWAC announced the suspension and fines later in the day.
“Obviously we’ve got two games left and in certain situation where we’ve maybe got a senior who’s suspended for those last two games, obviously working in coordination and conjunction with the Southwestern Athletic Conference and being able to review what they reviewed, we’ll be able to articulate a valid argument for some relief there. We haven’t gotten those videos yet, but we’ll take a look individually and make a decision at that time.”
Scott also talked about the backlash that came following Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph’s comments to the press following Saturday’s game, when he said his team would meet disrespect with disrespect.
“I think you’ve got to consider circumstances,” Scott said. “You also have to consider that in the heat of battle in a contested game, contested it was, you also have to understand Coach Joseph. One thing that I’ve never heard is Coach Joseph say, and of course I’ve gotten calls, texts and emails and personal conversions, I never heard Coach Joseph say he meant disrespect with fighting. In having conversations with him the last couple of days, I think the sentiment is that he’s not condoning fighting. My personal thought there is that I don’t think you necessarily meet disrespect with disrespect. We shouldn’t tolerate disrespect is a way I think to address it.
“Again, not speaking for the other team or program, but that wasn’t their first, second or third time being involved in a situation like this. And so, while we were able to recover and eventually win the game, it’s going to cost us moving forward because we reacted to what they’ve become privy to now doing on a regular basis.”
Scott went on to say he believes disrespect can be overcome by continuing to display characteristics of a G-Man.
“Being high character and understanding what putting on that helmet and walking down that hill means,” Scott said about those characteristics. “But you also have to understand these men and the legacy this school has been built on. And so, when certain things happen — disrespect of our logo, disrespect of our brand — it causes a reaction that maybe we need to start having some conversations with our guys about. Because it should never end in violence.
“That’s my thought on it. I probably won’t comment more on it. But Coach Joseph is fine, we’ve had a conversation with (GSU president Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr.) and the leadership on our campus. I’ve had a conversation with Commissioner McClelland in the (SWAC) Commissioner’s Office and we’re ready to put this behind us and move forward.”
Joseph didn’t talk about the incident during his GSU press conference, but around an hour later, before beginning his segment of Monday’s SWAC video press conference, Joseph he donned glasses to read a prepared statement, saying he would do that but would be unable to answer any further questions about the situation.
“The disrespect comment I made was never meant to condone violence or unsportsmanlike behavior,” Joseph said as he read. “The moment doesn’t reflect who we are at Grambling and we take full accountability of maintaining the integrity of the game and remain committed to learning from this incident and moving forward in the right spirit, remembering cool heads prevail and calm is a superpower.”
As Scott spoke during the GSU press conference Monday morning, he also mentioned injured GSU quarterback C’zavian Teasett, who remains hospitalized in Las Vegas after being injured during Grambling’s win over Jackson State on Oct. 25.
After being tackled late in that game, Teasett remained face down and motionless on the field as GSU medical personnel rushed to his aid. Almost immediately after getting to Teasett, those personnel signaled for more help and equipment.
Eventually Teasett was strapped to a backboard and put into an ambulance that had driven out to the middle of the field and transported directly to a hospital where he remains more than two weeks later.
“We continue to pray for C’za,” Scott said. “We’re in contact with C’za and his family daily. We won’t be making any more comments on the C’za Teasett situation or family as well.”
