Clark, Toussaint Out For Alabama Comment Count

Brian

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Release:

Statement from Head Coach Brady Hoke on running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and defensive end Frank Clark:

"Fitzgerald Toussaint and Frank Clark have been suspended for one game and will not make the trip to Dallas for Saturday's game.

"The decision was not easy, but I feel it is in the best interest of this program and for these kids, and those always will be my priorities.  We have choices every day, and you have to be accountable to this program, your teammates, your family and the University of Michigan.

"These are our sons.  These are real lives, and I think too often many people forget that.  It's not always just about football, or a football decision.  It's about teaching life lessons, and if this helps these kids or someone else make a right decision later, then we've won.  That is ultimately what we are here for, to help them grow and mature to become better sons, fathers, husbands and members of society.

"They are good young men who made poor choices, and we will continue to support them as members of our team and family." 

Both will be back for Air Force. Thomas Rawls, Vincent Smith, and Dennis Norfleet(!) will have to pick up the slack at RB, with some possibility Stephen Hopkins will also get RB snaps. Black and Beyer will likely handle DE with some possibility Mario Ojemudia gets in as a rush specialist.

Comments

hail2mich

August 31st, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

Good for you Brady Hoke. I know we were all uneasy about the possibility of having him play, when we would have quesitoned this if it was another program. This was the right decision, even if it was a tough one.

MikeCohodes

August 31st, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^

The football fan in me is sad, obviously.

The Michigan Man in me is happy to see Michigan holding its players to a high standard, no matter the cost.

Proud of the program for making the right tough call.

GoWings2008

August 31st, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

and we pretty much saw it coming by Hoke's comments during his presser earlier this week.  I hate the fact that we're going into Bama without those guys, but it definitely sets the bar higher and sends the message that UM is about developing men and not just about winning games.  I'll wager that a similar situation in Tuscaloosa would not have the same result as this one.  BTW, anyone see that USC allowed a convicted felon back on their team?

Ironman

August 31st, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

We are not shocked by this.  I'm glad that Brady is holding these young men accountable and keeping the perspective that the team is trumps all. A tough call, but it is the right call.

uofmUT

August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

Easily the worst AND the best news we could get today. You want them to play to win but you know it's the best interest of the integrity of our program that they don't. They will both be back next week with FIRE! 

AZBlue

August 31st, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^

and burst their bubble.  They have a 5-page thread about Fitz playing this game - based on a random tweet from last week after the depth charts were released  - ranting about how M has get off our high horse in regard to football morality.

uofmUT

August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^

Easily the worst AND the best news we could get today. You want them to play to win but you know it's the best interest of the integrity of our program that they don't. They will both be back next week with FIRE! 

M-Wolverine

August 31st, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^

With over 1,000 posts going back and forth on this, I guess we now don't have to jump to conclusions or speculate and know Hoke will do the right thing.

Every opposing fan like phork and everyone else who's been trolling our site for weeks saying we'll do it just like everyone else is welcome to come back and kiss our asses now.