Jim Harbaugh: ‘An apology won’t get the job done’ after Michigan tunnel attack

Thirty-six hours after the post-game violence erupted in Michigan Stadium’s tunnel, Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh remained furious after two of his players were injured in what he called an “attack” by numerous Michigan State players.

“What happened in the tunnel was outrageous,” Harbaugh said. “It’s disgusting to watch the videos on social media as well as the ABC telecam which is on a higher elevation showing a lot more of what happened. That’s disgusting to see.

“There has to be accountability,” Harbaugh continued. “There must be a full, thorough and timely investigation. I can’t imagine that this will not lead to criminal charges. The videos are bad. It’s clear what happened. It’s very open and closed. As they say, look at the tape.”

Thirty minutes later and 65 miles away, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker discussed suspending four Spartans for their role in the incident and generally apologized to “both universities” but declined to elaborate, citing ongoing criminal and Big Ten investigations.

Without saying it outright, he suggested that Harbaugh’s assessment of what should happen was “irresponsible.” He confirmed that he did not call his Michigan rival directly.

“Out of respect for the integrity of the investigation, it would be irresponsible for me to comment further,” Tucker said.

So, yeah, that doesn’t settle down where the feelings on either side of a rivalry are raw and exposed in a way the other can barely tell. Welcome to college football.

Michigan defeated State 29-7 on Saturday and advanced to 8-0 in the season.

The violence started after the game. The 95-year-old Michigan Stadium features a tunnel that allows both teams, game officials, support staff and media to enter and exit the field. The visiting team’s touchline is closest to the tunnel, which is at the 50-yard line.

There are protocols in place before the game and during half-time to keep teams separate, including keeping officials between them.

The story goes on

Post-game incidents traditionally erupt because players and coaches often meet and congratulate each other, visit friends or former high school teammates on opposing teams, or delay saying hello to family in the stands.

The stadium has been the scene of some of the most intense rivalry games in the history of the sport – especially when visiting Ohio State, Michigan State or Notre Dame. Shouting and shoving incidents have occurred before the game and at halftime, but nothing of the sort. The school can’t remember a post-game fight that ever happened.

“We never had any incidents after the game,” Harbaugh said.

In that case, Harbaugh said, and video confirms, two Wolverine players — Gemon Green and Ja’Den McBurrows — attempted to walk up the tunnel while the majority of the State team also left the field.

Video later showed both players being beaten by Spartan players. Green, not wearing a helmet, was hit by a player swinging a helmet at him. Green’s family told ESPN that he was hit “with a helmet in the face, back and shoulder” and will seek criminal charges.

In a separate cellphone video, McBurrows was surrounded by at least half a dozen state players who took turns punching, kicking and punching him into a wall.

Harbaugh said Green was attacked first and McBurrows tried to come to his aid. Both were injured. Harbaugh is unsure of their future availability.

“They went up the tunnel together,” Harbaugh said. “You can see that in the video. Gemon was hit and then Ja’Den tried to help. I’ll let the investigation continue from there. … They have given all of their statements to the police.”

Harbaugh had no interest in blaming the tunnel’s physical construct, much less pointing it at Tucker or anyone other than state actors.

“Those are [the] People who are responsible,” Harbaugh said. “The video shows four, five, six on one and four, five, six on another pulling them. Ja’Den got pulled into a – you saw it – sort of where the media is in that hallway.

The so-called “ABC video” was not released, although one would think ABC/ESPN would want to show it. The school said there are also surveillance cameras above each locker room in the tunnel. Maybe that’s the video Harbaugh saw.

Anyway, Harbaugh has been on the offensive and obviously isn’t afraid of being contradicted in what he says. His boys are innocent. The statesmen are guilty. And he wants real justice.

“An apology won’t get the job done [this] example,” Harbaugh said.

The Michigan State President and Athletic Director apologize over the weekend’s incident. Tucker added one Monday, although nothing directly related to the Wolverine players involved.

“There should be serious consequences for the many individuals who require it,” Harbaugh said.

Tucker, meanwhile, repeatedly referred to the need to keep the investigation going. However, if there is clear evidence that could mitigate the blame on his team or players, let alone exonerate them or explain their actions, then it is highly unlikely that MSU would allow itself to be so fussed over PR money .

Tucker kept repeating that this was a “small number of players,” which contradicts the video. The four suspended players – starters Angelo Grose and Zion Young and reserves Tank Brown and Khary Crump – can have almost no contact with the football program – they are essentially limited to academic support. It’s hard to imagine either of them ever playing for State again.

“The incidents involving a small group of our players do not represent our culture,” Tucker said. “We are not here to excuse the behavior on Saturday, it is unacceptable.”

Tucker was asked about this culture, which is rich in slogans and sayings but seems to be failing at the moment. No matter how small or large the number of perpetrators, the publicly available videos show none of the Michigan State teammates attempting to intervene to end the fight, protect the Michigan players, or defuse the situation in any way.

Tucker, whose program is a disappointing 3-5 on the field and is dealing with that awkwardness, was left with little room. He kept trying to downplay details due to the integrity of the investigation and wanted to talk about an upcoming game against Illinois.

It won’t be that easy. This is still heating up, with more videos, questions and maybe arrests.