Probation officer recommends jail time for MSU's Chris Rucker

The Majors

Probation officer recommends jail time for MSU’s Chris Rucker

Adam Hernandez

October 14, 2010

A probation officer has recommended 21 days in jail for MSU senior cornerback Chris L. Rucker. This is all according to Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News. This all stems from violation in his probation when he was arrested Saturday night by East Lansing Police for DUI and supposedly fleeing the scene of property damage. Rucker was originally put on probation over his involvement in an on campus brawl last year in which 2 players were dismissed from the team and 11 players were suspended from participating in the teams Alamo Bowl appearance.

MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has suspended Rucker for this weekend’s game against Illinois and did not mention if Rucker would return the following week.

Rucker’s position coach Harlon Barnett seemed to be more optimistic that Rucker would return this season from suspension.

“Yeah, we anticipate him back, absolutely,” Barnett said. “He’s great young man, a great kid who just made a bad decision. He’s a great young man. If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t say it. Hopefully those bad decisions are out of him forever and he can come back and just finish out strong.”

Rucker of Warren, Ohio has until October 20th to appear in 54-B District Court in East Lansing for his arraignment. A determination on a jail sentence could be made at that time.

This may be the end of the line and probably should be the end of the line for Rucker’s college career. MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has been very tough but very fair in the past regarding his players getting in trouble and dealing with them on the team. Rucker had a second chance after the fight last year with Dantonio and if his arraignment finds him guilty in all these new charges then it is going to be hard see Dantonio giving him a third chance. There will be outcry among some Spartan fans but where do you draw the line with the team’s overall integrity as well as Mark Dantonio’s