Penn State DT Antonio Shelton gets 1-game suspension for spitting at Michigan State player
Penn State has issued a one-game suspension to one of its players as a result of his actions in Saturday’s 28-7 win over Michigan State, head coach James Franklin announced Tuesday night.
Redshirt junior defensive tackle Antonio Shelton spit on Michigan State offensive lineman Matt Allen in front of a referee in the fourth quarter and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and ejected. He’ll sit out Penn State’s Nov. 9 matchup against Minnesota.
Penn State DT Antonio Shelton is suspended by PSU for one game for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty Saturday, James Franklin said Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/sqToXNzn3t
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) October 29, 2019
After the game, Shelton tweeted an apology.
I would like to apologize for my actions during tonight’s game. That was extremely selfish behavior. I misrepresented my coach, my school and my team. That’s not who we are and that’s not who I am. I represent more than myself, this won’t happen again.
— Antonio Shelton (@_groovy55) October 27, 2019
The Big Ten Conference also issued an official public reprimand, supporting Penn State’s decision, and saying it will not have further comment on the matter.
Shelton’s penalty was one of three for unsportsmanlike conduct Penn State garnered in the fourth quarter and was one of nine for 104 yards on the Nittany Lions for the game. The penalties didn’t end up mattering much, but Franklin said he discussed the situation with his players nonetheless.
“I’m not going to make excuses,” Franklin said, according to TribLIVE.com. “We’re going to own it all. That’s not who we are. That’s not who we will be.”
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