MSU QB Russo pleads down from OWI to reckless driving
I searched and didn't see this posted, mods delete if it is already up somewhere.
Looks like the MSU QB is getting off easy after being pulled over and given an OWI ticket.
I don't research it exhaustively, but it looks like an OWI is more serious than a DUI and means that you definitely tested above the legal limit, so pleading down to reckless driving is basically getting off scot-free.
According to the article it seems Russo is still practicing with the team, TBD whether there will be any type of discipline.
Will Tucker continue the fine tradition of MSU (complete lack of) discipline?
[I edited the title and will leave it on the board. Because Russo is MSU's 2nd string QB, this bit of news is potentially relevant in regards to Saturday's game. -rob f]
October 28th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
pleads*
October 28th, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
and thank you's
October 28th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
why did you post this here? the reason you couldn't find it while searching the board is that nobody else cared or thought it was relevant enough to post on a Michigan sports message board.
we all have made mistakes, especially in our youth. I don't understand how you can find pleasure in this whatsoever.
starting QB for MSU, sure, that would be relevant. but this kid has thrown 7 passes all year, so to post this just to take some sort of victory lap is really weird.
October 28th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
MSU's back-up QB potentially being not available for our game isn't relevant?
October 28th, 2021 at 11:48 AM ^
ehr....because we play MSU Saturday and there is some chance that one of their QB options might be suspended? He transferred from Temple and was an option as starting QB up until they played Northwestern, so he isn't a third stringer by any means.
Also....MSU, new coach, same policies in player behavior?
Please show me where I took pleasure in it, the post has more to do with Tucker than the player.
October 28th, 2021 at 11:50 AM ^
"Will Tucker continue the fine tradition of MSU (complete lack of) discipline?"
October 28th, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
yah.....that's regarding Tucker, has nothing to do with the player.....T-U-C-K-E-R.
Also, a legal system that has historically gone lightly on Spartans.
Still.....nothing regarding Russo as a person, player, human being.
Sorry, still not seeing it.
AND....FWIW....I grew up two miles from Spartan stadium and attended many games there and have tons of friends and family that are Spartan fans, they are my second favorite team, despite being UM alum, I take zero pleasure in this.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:51 AM ^
yep, early 20s kid worst day of his life and you are taking a victory lap about it on a rival's message board and I'm the bad guy?
lol, well played.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:24 PM ^
Who the hell is Will Tucker??!
October 28th, 2021 at 12:01 PM ^
This post makes me wonder whether the DUI was you or your kid (:
October 28th, 2021 at 12:53 PM ^
I live in California, so....no.....and I'm not sure I would let my kid take a plea if he was caught....I also have a standing policy of him being able to call me for a ride for him and anyone with him if they are even thinking of getting in a car with someone who is intoxicated....no questions asked.
My parents had this policy for me and I used it a few times (though not always and I will reiterate that that post is not judging or condemning the player in any way, most of us at some point could have ended up in this situation and I have had many friends and relatives go through it, though no plea deal offered), With rideshare apps these days I also told him I'll pay for everyone's Uber/Lyft, since not everyone is going to trust me as a parent to not ask questions.
So far, so good, but every day is a new adventure with a teen and it certainly could happen. Nothing about this post is judging the player/person or acting as if this couldn't and hasn't happened to people I know. It has.
October 28th, 2021 at 1:07 PM ^
Curb your enthusiasm humble brags? Talking cars? Sexual deviance in unrelated professional sport franchise. And this is the hill you want to die on, for wrong place to post?
October 28th, 2021 at 2:03 PM ^
A mistake is forgetting to set your clocks back from DST.
This was not a mistake. This was a conscious decision to drink too much knowing you are going to drive home endangering yourself and others.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:53 AM ^
yep, early 20s kid worst day of his life and you are taking a victory lap about it on a rival's message board and I'm the bad guy?
October 28th, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
Please?
October 28th, 2021 at 11:43 AM ^
[sigh] "pleads", can't edit/correct, posted from my phone.
auto-correct is my mortal enemy
October 28th, 2021 at 11:46 AM ^
Can we get an edit function? Yes, please.
October 28th, 2021 at 11:53 AM ^
I think you mean “yes, pleads.”
October 28th, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^
I heard that as "pleats".
October 28th, 2021 at 11:47 AM ^
This story is redlocked!
October 28th, 2021 at 11:53 AM ^
“I strenuously object?” Is that how it’s done? Hmm? “Objection, your Honor!” “Overruled.” “No, no. I strenuously object.” “Ohh! You strenuously object. Then I’ll take some time and reconsider.”
October 28th, 2021 at 11:57 AM ^
Yeah this is tough. While we usually give MSU crap about arrests, etc. It seems like they have slowed down since Mel took over and he's running a cleaner program. This is an unfortunate and dangerous action by Russo but not something uncommon for college students and athletes. Hopefully it is an isolated incident for this player and he is punished accordingly for his crime. As long as he doesn't do it again - lets move along and not ruin his life over it.
(It goes without saying though, call an Uber, walk, get a DD. Don't drink and drive)
October 28th, 2021 at 12:24 PM ^
I thought the legal system went pretty hard on first offenders in these type of cases. My SIL get dinged a few years back on a first offense. Spent the night in jail and the fines were ridiculous along with the suspended license. I believe all in all it was well over 10k… not small for youngsters to have to pay.
October 28th, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
>this player and he is punished accordingly for his crime
The posts concern police/legal, Tucker/AD and their response and makes no statement or judgement about the player/person at all.
This has been widely reported in major outlets, it is no secret.
Posting it here to discuss it as an example case for discipline in E.L. is in no way trying or desiring to ruin his life.
October 28th, 2021 at 11:59 AM ^
Obligatory;
October 28th, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
If you haven't yet figured it out yet, this is pretty commonplace for MSU athletes
October 28th, 2021 at 12:13 PM ^
Unfortunately, this is commonplace for many kids and adults, I'm not judging the player here or acting as if M players are immune to trouble.
I posted it b/c it seems like the legal system in E.L. is once again treating a Spartan player with leniency that would not likely be afforded to a non-athlete. I grew up there and had many friends that got DUIs from E.L. police (again, not judging the player) and zero leniency, in fact quite the opposite.
Also a ? on whether there will be any ramifications from the new HC at MSU......question mark because it is TBD, and because I may not have all the facts/latest info....it is, after all, the LSJ, though reported elsewhere (I checked).
October 28th, 2021 at 12:39 PM ^
the legal system in E.L. is once again treating a Spartan player with leniency that would not likely be afforded to a non-athlete
This is what I was referencing as commonplace
October 28th, 2021 at 3:38 PM ^
It's commonplace for law enforcement to go easy on all manner of celebrities and athletes. It's not like this hasn't happened in Ann Arbor.
October 28th, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
Perhaps, from a viewpoint based almost purely anecdotal information, there is apparently a fairly large disparity between the frequency and level of what what the legal system overlooks between AA and EL and I am drawing on direct experiences I had in E.L. growing up and all the recent exposure for Meridian Township police/DA and their handling of cases vs. Spartan athletes.
What is clear is a gaping chasm between how coaches/programs treat these types of infractions as I cannot remember any Michigan player being given a pass for this type of thing ever and a rather large number of Spartan athletes having their transgressions ignored, or the discipline being strategically administered in such a way s to have minimal impact, i.e. suspensions occurring during meaningless/easy win games and avoiding marquee matchups, or not happening at all.
The crux of this post has nothing to do with the player involved and isn't tying to posit that these things only happen at MSU and never elsewhere, rather it is looking back at recent history under Dantonio and the AD he worked for that were egregiously lenient in terms of disciplining players and wondering if that will continue under the new coach/AD and putting this case forth as a harbinger of what we might expect moving forward.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:08 PM ^
I would think it isn't uncommon to please down on a first offense, especially if the perp was contrite and understanding of the faux pas. If it happens again, with this on his record, he'll likely be consuming a much bigger penalty.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:27 PM ^
Seems common for players: https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2021/06/michigan-state-wr-jayden-reed-takes-plea-to-dismiss-owi-charge.html
That came up searching for "zero tolerance OWI east lansing police" so I'm not cherry picking.
Looking here http://mwolverine.com/Scandals_Michigan.html I go through and see only one case where a Michigan player takes a plea for a lesser charge (Taylor Lewan/assault) and got probation and a 4 game suspension.
There is supposed to be a zero tolerance treatment and more serious ramifications if the person is under 21, I just wonder if that policy is applied uniformly, and I'm guessing not. Probably if you can afford a good lawyer and or are somehow connected in the community you can take a plea, if not you get the book thrown at you.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:10 PM ^
Discussing from purely a football standpoint, this could be significant for Saturday. The incident happened following their last game so IF there is a suspension this game would be the logical one. However, I believe he's been dinged up so not sure if he would be available anyway.
With that said, if he's healthy and needed on Saturday I wouldn't be surprised if he trots out there.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
OWI (Operating While Impaired) IS DUI in Michigan.
Most 1st offender OWI that aren't "Super Drunk" get plead to OWVI (Operating While Visibly Impaired).
October 28th, 2021 at 12:21 PM ^
the fisherman has it right. most places if you're over an .08 BAC they will of course arrest you for DUI (driving under the influence), also could be called an OUIL (operating under the influence of liquor). same thing, same charge, different words. 6 pts on your license, 93 days max in jail, $500 max fines + costs, 30 day mandatory license suspension, 150 day license restriction thereafter, can order upto 360 hrs of community service.
OWVI is the slightly reduced charge, operating while visibly impaired. 4 pts on your license, 93 days max, $300 max fine, 90 day license restriction + community service.
most first time offenders will get that offer if their BAC isn't too high and there aren't other aggravating factors like crashes, fighting the cops, etc.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:15 PM ^
Call. An. Uber.
I never understood not feeling the need to do this. Especially for professional athletes who can hire their own drivers to take them anywhere, or call Uber Black Car and have it be nothing more than a proverbial drop in the bucket. I understand Russo is not a professional athlete, but do you really want to take the risk here?
There are some things you can chalk up to just being a dumb college kid. This goes so far beyond that, and I'd say the same thing if it was JJ, Aidan or Blake getting behind that wheel. I don't know about you, but I would much rather pay $30-$40 and have the peace of mind that I can go out, have a good time, drink what I want and get home safe vs. drive myself and risk killing myself, or worse, someone else.
Call an Uber, Lyft, a freaking cab, call your sober friends to come get you, or even walk home if you have to. Just don't get behind the wheel. Its not worth it.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:16 PM ^
I wouldn't make anything out of this unless you know more about the case than you know more about the case than was reported because there's nothing in it to suggest that the plea deal he made is any form of special treatment or that Mel Tucker was involved or that he was encouraging bad behavior or throwing it under the rug.
Did Russo give the cop an alias?
October 28th, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
I'm not suggesting Tucker orchestrated this.....I'm looking at:
1. Backup QB (was under consideration as starter until beginning of the season) may not be playing in game against M this Saturday.
2. Wondering if what has been reported a zero tolerance approach to underage OWI is being applied uniformly. My experience with nephews, friends and kids of friends who have gone though this process (again, not judging the player here, everyone makes mistakes), is that there is no option but full/additional penalty and no plea option.
3. Regardless of E.L. police/legal implications, he DID get tagged for OWI and THUS FAR not received any discipline that we know of from a relatively new MSU coach who took over from the previous coach who was notoriously light on penalizing players (in fact, an entire AD that was complicit, with a new AD in the mix as well). It will be interesting to see what transpires and understand what to expect going forward. Tucker is currently under consideration for LSU job and under a spotlight, we shall see.
October 28th, 2021 at 12:41 PM ^
This feels about right for most people in this situation, so this feels like an overreaction. I personally have no sympathy for people who drive drunk, as it puts everyone else on the road in unnecessary danger and typically they've done so quite a bit before they got caught. But this is the type of plea deal most people get.
October 28th, 2021 at 1:00 PM ^
I don’t really like these kinds of posts. College kids are dumb, some worse than others, but they grow up eventually (hopefully). Also, I think being apart of football practice, team activities and requirements provides a ton of needed structure for a kid. Removing someone from a team in tough times could be bad for mental health. Also, the justice system giving kids a break is a good thing, and it should be applied broadly imo. Lastly, he’s not a starter, and if he was being awarded starting time after this, then maybe it would be different.
Rivalry aside, we probably should be a bit more empathetic. Our very own coach has bounced back from a similar set back in life. I think we should limit our jabs to the field.
October 28th, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
I personally have never been pulled over let alone been cited for any alcohol related driving offense, but I have known multiple people who have and have had personal acquaintances in law enforcement and the judicial system. Pleading down to a lesser charge for a first time drunk driving offense is standard practice in many if not most jurisdictions. We don't know if this is a first time offense for sure, but I'm guessing info would be out there if it wasn't.
Drunk driving is a serious issue and should be enforced. Nonetheless, this is a giant nothing burger and says more about the OP than about Russo. Get a life.
October 28th, 2021 at 2:39 PM ^
Hardly.
The post concerns both the legal system AND team discipline and in no way goes after the player, nice try.
The experience of people I know who have gone through it and many others in terms of the legal process is mixed, some have gotten the zero tolerance treatment, while others seem to say that a plea is common.
Still TBD what Tucker does with the situation.....with clear implications for Saturday's game and the longer term for both coach and the AD.
October 28th, 2021 at 4:29 PM ^
I never said you attacked the player. Others did, but I did not. So we can said aside your victory dance on that.
I also said "many if not most jurisdictions" making it clear that it was not "all". If you had simply said, "Russo plead down an OWI, no word on team discipline" and linked the article, your post would have been fine. Instead you used language that implied something highly irregular and corrupt had occurred.
It is possible I inferred something you did not imply, but it seems that many others had the same inference and I think most reasonable would.
October 28th, 2021 at 6:07 PM ^
Again, zero victory dance. Not a single syllable in any way judging the player/person involved, you're not "setting anything aside."
I asked valid questions about the legal process here and then put a ? and a TBD on Tucker/team discipline, since obviously that still has time to occur.
Read doclosh's post below, an Ingham county attorney and former prosecutor who has an informed opinion and who indicates that the system DID give Russo a sweetheart deal. I'll trust their opinion on that, so the answer to my first question is YES.
Soooo.....
October 28th, 2021 at 1:10 PM ^
Happens to the best of us... Weird post.