Michigan State cornerback Chris L. Rucker has been reinstated to the Spartans football team. Head coach Mark Dantonio made the announcement on Thursday.
Rucker’s reinstatement comes as he’s scheduled to be released from Ingham County Jail. He served eight days in prison for violating the terms of his probation. The probation stems back to pleading guilty to assault for taking part in a fight at Rather Hall last November.
The senior cornerback was suspended from the football team following his arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor reckless driving. Rucker received an additional two years probation for one count of reckless driving.
UPDATE: Dantonio said Rucker will decide whether or not he travels with the team to Iowa and plays in Saturday's game.
Here are quotes from Dantonio's statement to the media.
“I have known and have watched Chris L. Rucker for four years on the field, in the classroom, in the community and as a team member,” Dantonio said in a statement. “The poor decision he made had need for serious consequences which he has now met and resolved from a team and legal perspective. It does not; however, rise to a lifetime banishment.