Football
Joint Statement by Jim Tressel and Gene Smith on the Suspension of OSU Safety Kurt Coleman by the Big Ten Conference
From OSU Press Release

Ohio State Disappointed With Coleman Suspension

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State director of athletics Gene Smith and head football coach Jim Tressel issue a joint reaction to the one-game suspension of Kurt Coleman by the Big Ten Conference:

“Obviously, we will abide by the one-game suspension from the Big Ten Conference, but we feel as if there was poor judgment throughout.

“We concur that Kurt’s hit was late and a result of poor judgment; he was thus penalized and removed from the game by his coaches. We do not agree that it was “pre-meditated” or that he was “targeting a defenseless” player.

“The decision to suspend points to the Conference office’s feeling as if there was poor judgment by the game officials for their decision not to eject at the time.

“In our estimation, the final “poor judgment” is in levying a one-game suspension in this particular case. We will abide by the decision, learn from it, and move forward.”

Ohio State will have no further comment regarding this matter.

Big Ten Conference Statement on the Suspension

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