Michigan State’s Jacoby Windmon contrite and thankful to be back for ‘last ride’ with Spartan teammates
East Lansing, Mich. – A soft-spoken, remorseful and thankful Jacoby Windmon took the podium at Spartan Stadium after Michigan State’s Monday morning practice, speaking at length for the first time since last year’s altercation in the Michigan Stadium tunnel.
“I would never say it’s behind me because it’s something I have to live with for the rest of my life and it’s something I take serious, so I can learn from it and grow from it,” Windmon said.
Windmon was one of seven Michigan State football players charged with assault by Wolverine fan and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit on Nov. 23 for their roles in a fight which took place in the Michigan Stadium tunnel between Spartan and Wolverine football players following their game on Oct. 29.
Windmon’s misdemeanor charge was dismissed in July after he completed a diversionary program.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker suspended Windmon and six other Spartan players after the altercation. Windmon was reinstated last winter and has participated in spring practice and preseason camp. He is projected to be Michigan State’s starting Mike linebacker this season, and an All-Big Ten candidate.
“You don’t know how much you love something until it’s taken away from you,” Windmon said. “When football was taken away from me, for those last four games, I felt a big void inside of me because I have such a passion for the game, but I was able to learn from it and move forward.”
When asked what he remembers about the tunnel incident, Windmon said: “It all pretty much happened fast. Things happen in life. It was very unfortunate. I send my apologies to the school down the road. I look forward to the season and focusing on the now.”
Windmon led the FBS with six forced fumbles last year and led Michigan State with 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Last year, he became the first Spartan and the sixth player in Big Ten history to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors three times in one season.
He started the first six games for Michigan State at defensive end and then moved to middle linebacker for two games. As a first-year transfer from UNLV, he quickly became a team leader in 2022. After the incident and the suspension, he said he didn’t assume he would be able to regain his leadership role with the Spartans.
“I have to reprove myself to my teammates,” Windmon said. “I wasn’t expecting them to just say, ‘He’s a leader.’ I wanted to get that confirmation from my teammates and coaches. I didn’t have a problem with that at all. They welcomed me with open arms and I’m just happy to be back.”
Windmon’s time away from the team was difficult. Through the first half of the 2022 season, he seemed on track toward becoming an NFL Draft pick. But those hopes were damaged by the melee in the Michigan Stadium tunnel.
“It was very challenging at first because I was trying to carry all of the weight on my shoulders,” he said.
When people asked him how he was doing, he was truthful.
“Most men always say they’re good when someone asks them how they’re feeling,” he said. “I wasn’t just telling people I was good. I was able to experience different emotions. I was actually telling people how I was feeling, whether it was my teammates, family or coaches. They were able to help me through this whole process, just talking to them, getting feedback from them. They were keeping my head on straight.
“I had to look at the good and try to find a way to add value to my team rather than being stuck up in a room and being mad about what happened. It was hard because I have a big passion for football. Football is everything for me but I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, so I was able to learn from the situation and my teammates were able to learn from my example.
“It was tough but I have to support my teammates and I have to find a way to add value. I can only blame myself for being in the position I’m in.”
Windmon mentioned that he had rewatched the video two days ago, and is still learning from the situation.
Part of the growing process was deciding to come back for a fifth year of eligibility and a second year at Michigan State. Windmon, of New Orleans, La., played his first three seasons at UNLV.
“It was a pretty hard decision to make,” he said. “The NFL is a dream, so I just wanted to do what’s best for my future and put myself in the best position to be successful.
“I was going back and forth. At the end of the day, I wanted to make sure whatever decison I made, I would be 100 pecent in.
“I didn’t want to have any regrets – so they don’t have to question my character, my play on the field or how my teammates view me. I just want to come back and do another year with my teammates and make my last ride my best ride.
“I’m really excited. It’s a blessing. I can’t thank God enough for giving me the strength and courage to go out there and do what I do. I have dreams about it. So I’m waiting to go out there and just show everyone else.”
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