HOME / NEWS / SPORTS

'Ten on one, it was just bad': Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh fumes after Spartans ganged up on player

'It is entirely and utterly wrong for another team to grab a player in the manner that they did,' said coach Harbaugh

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN : Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of Michigan Wolverines, has expressed his rage following 'two players being assaulted' by Michigan State Spartans, a rival in college football. Numerous Michigan State University players jumped University of Michigan cornerback Ja'Den McBurrows and another unnamed player in the Lloyd Carr Tunnel following the Wolverines' 29-7 victory against the rival Michigan State Spartans. McBurrows didn't appear to be surrounded by any other Wolverine players at the time of the incident.

According to the Daily Mail, in a Saturday derby game between the teams, which the home team Michigan won 29-7, many MI State players were seen hitting a single opponent in the tunnel after the game. Police and Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, who was present at the game, are looking into the stunning incident, according to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel.

READ MORE

Social media helps police track down and arrest Michigan man, who violently beat, threw down a child

After 'Neymar: The Perfect Chaos', Netflix greenlights documentary on football legend David Beckham

"What transpired after the game is absolutely wrong," declared Harbaugh. “The commissioner and I spoke, and he is looking into it.” Further adding “The police are also investigating since they have viewed the video and are taking action. Although we will leave it in their hands, this is not how we ought to behave when a game is over. It is entirely and utterly wrong for another team to grab a player in the manner that they did. This is not what a rivalry should be about, but we will let the Big Ten and the police handle it.”

In a tunnel that does not go to either locker room, the video shows at least three, if not more, MI State players shoving, punching, and kicking McBurrows. "1 Michigan Wolverine vs. an entire army of Spartans," read the caption. Harbaugh, who was obviously agitated, said: "Just like anyone, you want to protect your athletes. Whatever it was, ten on one was awful. A thorough investigation and decision are required. Our sports director will see to it that it occurs.”

​​The University of Michigan Police, along with Michigan State University Police, Michigan Athletics, and Michigan football, are actively examining video and looking into the postgame altercation, according to a statement released after the game. The statement further said “We take the safety of the neighborhood and situations like these extremely seriously.”

The Spartans are now at the bottom of the Big Ten Eastern rankings, while the Wolverines are now at the top.