Maryland wide receiver Stefon Diggs was one of the Maryland captains who refused to shake hands with Penn State captains prior to Saturday’s game in State College. The Big Ten suspended Diggs one game for his involvement in that act and a pregame scuffle, deemed a violation of the conference’s sportsmanship policy. In addition, Maryland head coach Randy Edsall was issued a public reprimand by the conference and Maryland was fined $10,000 for the whole episode.
According to a statement released by the Big Ten, Edsall failed to control his team prior to the game. Maryland players initiated a confrontation with Penn State players as the teams took the field. During the incident, Diggs made contact with a Big Ten official as the bumping and shoving was being broken up.
Per the statement released by the Big Ten, “the decision by Maryland team captains to not shake hands with Penn State team captains during the pre-game coin toss ceremony was exceptionally regrettable.”
Edsall apologized for the pregame incidents following the game, and stated he had no knowledge of the non-handshake decision by his captains. Maryland also issued an apology to Penn State for the behavior of its players.
Diggs will be suspended for Maryland’s next game is next week against Michigan State. The Terrapins are off this week.