Getty ImagesFitz Toussaint may have been listed as Michigan’s starting running back for Saturday’s game against Alabama, but the team’s leading rusher from a year ago won’t take the field first. Or, at all.
Finally shedding light on a what has been a vague subject, Brady Hoke said Friday that Toussaint and defensive end Frank Clark did not make the trip to Dallas for the game against the Tide. The two were suspended for separate incidents, and although admitted back to practice this month, their status for the season opener had been a mystery.
Here’s the statement from Hoke:
“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.”
Toussaint was arrested July 21 and hit with a drunk driving charge, but that was eventually reduced to operating a vehicle while visibly impaired, to which he pleaded guilty. Clark was charged around the same time as Toussaint with second-degree home invasion stemming from the alleged theft of a MacBook Air from a student’s dorm room this past June.
The Wolverines already enter Saturday’s game as a two-touchdown underdog. Though boxer Floyd Mayweather has his own reasons to believe Michigan will cover the spread against the Tide, the loss of Toussaint could ultimately spell bad news on that front.
I hate to hear they will not be playing as I am sure that will be used as an excuse. However, there is no excuse for driving under the influence of anything. Maybe he will think about it before he gets behind the wheel again.
Roll Tide
8 arrests in last year for Coach JhOKE.
HAIL HAIL TO *ishigan the CESSPOOL OF THE WEST!
Pryorforheisman, whose your coach again?
Yep, you can shutup.
How does that idiot Hoke have to time to coach and be governor of New Jersey at the same time?
He was great in his role as Norm in Cheers though!!
And im happy these two arent playing.
Sissy boy. What the hell are you doing. Crazy freaking.
These are some funny comments. Love the New Jersey reference.
Whats that??? Hoke is a scumbag coach because they are playing??? Oh wait they are not…Love that this guy is our HC! Good to hear its not all about football but also about helping these kids grow into men!
pryor4: what’s wet, skys blue, an OSU fan is classless…
GO BLUE!
If I was an NCAA football or basketball coach I would not bother any former felon or even some with more than one misdeameanor. Or at the least, have them on a very short leash. I applaud Hoke for doing the right thing rather than the expedient thing.
Good for Hoke, I hope URB (and EVERY other coach) is listening.
Another day….another fan base accusing another fan base of being classless.
Lets put that one away shall we.. As someone who has been to almost every B1G venue, Notre Dame and several SEC games, I can assure you nothing sounds more stupid than “___ fans are classless.”
so Michigan is going to have to rely on Robinson’s passing game???? That about seals it….unless the spread is infinitely large, my money is on Bama.
No one is giving Rawls any credit as a back up RB. The kid runs hard and is a physical runner and probably is more what michigan needs anyways. Pryor4heisman- that Norm from Cheers joke wasn’t funny the first five times you posted it. Keep repping Ohio in a classy way though
Who plays our doesn’t is the coaches call. Only he knows if the kid is trying to make up for his mistake. I said before, just hope both teams bring it and we have a great game. And ofc that bama wins, I am a fan after all. Best of luck to Blue tho.
Operating a vehicle while visually impaired?
Did that show up on the breathalizer?
Now, if this were Urban Meyer, these two fellas would have sit out only the first minute of the game
Unless Urban didn’t recruit them..
Play him… don’t play him. Never will make everyone happy. Integrity is what counts.
Newflash to senseless critics… from Brady Hoke and every Michigan Wolverine fan… we don’t give a flying flip what you think!!! If you were that bright… you’d be the Head Coach!
Pryor4heisman… you still lost… for every shot at Hoke and Michigan… you’re always one notch lower. Deal.
Ben… your boy did good tonight for the Cowboys!
@bigbuckeye
I can assure you nothing sounds more stupid than “___ fans are classless.”
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I can assure there are plenty of things that sound more stupid…just see any comment posted by your boy pryor4 above…just sayin
I have no investment in Michigan at all, but am unbelievably impressed with Hoke’s strong decision. This is the way a HC should handle these types of issues. We’ve seen Hoke, Swinney, Fisher, and Miles make good strong choices this summer and hopefully are taking the place of Urban and the like. Well done!
Anyone who uses the name Pryor is not my boy. And my comments still stand.
So where are all those ‘assumimg’ Hoke was going to play Touissant, and were ripping on Hoke and Michigan, now looking to offer up an aplogy?
Odd that they are now quiet about the topic.