More Bad News For Michigan State Football: MLB Joe Bachie Ineligible
As if the 4-4 Michigan State Spartans needed any more bad news today as their once-promising season spirals into mediocrity, captain and the man called, "The best player on the team" by his teammates, Joe Bachie was ruled ineligible.
Here is the exact press release as sent out by the Michigan State Football SID in its entirety:
Michigan State senior linebacker Joe Bachie has been declared ineligible by the Big Ten Conference. In random drug testing conducted by the Big Ten, Bachie tested positive for a supplement that is classified as a performance-enhancing substance banned by the league. An appeal will be filed immediately with the Big Ten regarding the testing.
Statement from Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio:
“Joe Bachie has built himself into an All-Big Ten middle linebacker and two-time team captain through his incredible work ethic and leadership skills. This situation breaks my heart, but I know Joe is resilient and accountable. No one feels worse than Joe does, a sentiment he expressed when he spoke to the team earlier today. This does not define Joe as a player, and more importantly, as a man. He will graduate in December and has a very bright future ahead of him, both on and off the field. As a program, we plan to appeal immediately and will continue to support Joe however we can. He will forever be a Spartan.”
Statement from Joe Bachie:
“All my career I’ve done my very best to represent Michigan State in a positive manner on and off the field. I plan to appeal, but to all of those affected, from my coaches to my teammates and to the fans, I apologize for putting them through this situation. I will always be a Spartan.”
Spartan Nation knows Bachie well. It has been my privilege and honor to both know and cover him for many years. I believe in the testing process. But I can also add that when and if Bachie says that he took a substance without knowing it was banned, we would believe him. That might not matter as a player should know what is and is not banned, but we have NEVER privately or in public had a reason to doubt his authenticity or integrity.
Stay tuned to Spartan Nation for the latest.
As far as who could replace him, Noah Harvey was his latest backup on the depth chart followed by Ed Warinner.
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