Clark, Toussaint Out For Alabama
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.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^
Ok, Rawls it is.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
And you actually believe him?
August 31st, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
Probably over MGoBru.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:20 PM ^
Could be coach speak but
He was recently, but Hoke said he's been practicing and is good to go. RT
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) August 31, 2012@theideaofmickey:@kmeinke Isn't Rawls hurt?#GoBlue#NoBama2012
August 31st, 2012 at 1:23 PM ^
Where exactly did you get this info other than the fact that he wasn't at the open practce?
August 31st, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^
...but thanks, Coach Hoke.
It's the right decision.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:32 PM ^
Why can't you believe it? You don't like him?
August 31st, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^
Just cuz I want our best players on the field very badly.
But it's a game.
These are young men.
It's not always just about football.
And this is the right call.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
That's the right call, not easy, but the right thing to do. Respect.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^
standard in these situations or a unique punishment?
Edit: misfire-wasn't aimed specifically at you MBD, but at the overall brood.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
I wish that Toussaint didn't drive and he could play this game, because he would have been able to help the team. But, he did drive while drunk and he shouldn't be allowed to play. Hopefully he learns this lesson and has a great season.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
On Northfleet getting actual, meaningful carries? I thought dude was like 5'10 180??
August 31st, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
more like 5'6", 160.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
This is likely foolishness, but I'm reminded of an undersized RB that exceeded initial expectations in '04...
August 31st, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
5'6 160? TB? That just sounds dangerous.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:25 PM ^
Maybe he can be our version of Jaquizz Rodgers. The defenders might not be able to see him behind our OL until it's too late.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^
I think Norfleet is going to be excellent for us in the long run. Just this Saturday, though, is there any way to quietly run Mike Hart out there in a Norfleet jersey?
August 31st, 2012 at 2:04 PM ^
Shoulda stopped at foolishness.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:16 PM ^
Think you'd have to go back to '85 to find someone that size starting at TB.
#JamieMorris!
August 31st, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^
NORFLEET NOT NORTHFLEET.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
Welp, there went my hypothesis....Learning situation for these young men. Time for Rawls to step up his game; this is the stage to do so.
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.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
Double post. I'm embarrassed.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^
Brady Hoke just suspended you for the first game. Not an easy decision, but we have to learn from our mistakes.
Now run 26 stadium laps. MUSH!!!
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.
August 31st, 2012 at 4:13 PM ^
This really isn't about standards. It's about them learning their lesson. I don't think they give a crap about standards.
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?
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.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
/s
August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
i think we all agree - sucks and yet the right decision.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
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!
August 31st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
This thread has only been up 8 minutes, couldn't you give them at least 10 minutes to respond
August 31st, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
Phork is celebrating Labor Day weekend bar hopping with Michael Floyd in his new Lexus.
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.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:03 PM ^
It's hilarious over there at RCMB. First it was "color me shocked, Fits to start against Bama".
Now that thread has devolved into, "Michigan is suspending him so they have a built-in excuse when they lose".
August 31st, 2012 at 1:14 PM ^
Rumor on the interwebz is that they have another fun thug athelete scandal coming there way in the near future.
August 31st, 2012 at 2:03 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 5:14 PM ^
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!
August 31st, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
Walking the talk is not an easy thing to do these days. Here's hoping that Michigan continues to walk the road less traveled.
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.
August 31st, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^
August 31st, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^
Glad the opponent didn't alter Hoke's decision. No doubt if we started the season against a directional school, these guys would have been out.
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