It didn’t take long for Jalen Mills to crawl out of the proverbial doghouse and back onto LSU’s practice field.
On the same day Mills’ felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor, the defensive back was back practicing with his Tiger teammates. Monday was the opening of LSU’s summer camp, meaning the veteran safety missed very little time because of his legal issue.
In June, Mills was arrested and charged with second-degree battery, a felony, after allegedly punching a woman in the mouth. He was indefinitely suspended because of the incident.
Very early Monday morning, it was reported that Mills had pleaded the felony down to misdemeanor simple battery, clearing the way for his return to the Tigers.
“Jalen practiced with us today,” LSU head coach Les Miles said in post-practice quotes distributed by the school. “He was suspended from the team for the entire summer. He will continue to be disciplined internally.
“The decision to let him come back took time. After an entire summer of suspension we felt like we’d bring him back, but he will continue to be disciplined.”
Speaking to reporters after practice, Miles was quoted as saying that "[a] misdemeanor being what it is, we’re moving forward.”
So, in summation, a felony punch to a woman’s face nets a suspension and uncertain future for a player, while a plea-deal misdemeanor involving a woman being punched in the face is grounds for immediate reinstatement. Good to know, Coach Hat. Oh, and speaking of immediate reinstatement...
Mills, a three-star member of the Tigers’ 2012 recruiting class, started every game the past two years at cornerback, 26 in all. This past spring, he was moved to safety.
Funny how things work out in both the legal system and within a football program when talented, productive, needed players are involved.