BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In one of the oddest suspensions handed out by the NCAA, Ferris State University head football coach Tony Annese has been suspended for one playoff game next year. This suspension comes after FSU dealt with the situation from the national championship game with two players lighting up cigars in the locker room after their win.

According to footballscoop.com sources, Annese had told his team about not using tobacco in the Texas high school facility after the game due to Texas state rules on high school property. Two players ignored the talk and chose to light up two cigars like Joe Burrow did after his national championship win. Another issue at hand the NCAA didn’t like were FSU players taking decorative national championship stickers off the wall and keeping them for themselves which is a no-no in post season play. With those two minor items, the NCAA decided to punish Ferris State with a suspension – but not just any suspension.

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Coach Annese has to sit out the first playoff game that FSU is in next year. Not the first game of the season but the FIRST playoff game. An unprecedent decision for a suspension handed down to FSU. FSU did appeal the decision but was denied. The whole situation is just bizarre as FSU handled the locker room situation internally but was still given a suspension.

Ferris State University’s Athletic Director Steve Brockelbank issued the following statement, “I continue to be proud of the Ferris State University Football program and Coach Annese. I understand the concerns raised by the NCAA and we accept the responsibility for our actions and we will work to ensure this does not happen again in the future. I support the efforts that Coach Annese continues to take to improve the football program for the betterment of the students we serve at Ferris State University. 

Football Head Coach Tony Annese states, “We are committed to running a program representing the ideals and values of Ferris State University, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the NCAA. I understand the concerns raised by the NCAA. Immediately after the game, while I was in the post- game press conference, the two issues cited by the NCAA were addressed by my coaching staff. As a coaching staff, each day leading up to the National Championship game, we had reminded our players that smoking cigars in celebration would not be allowed. My team was fully aware that the actions of the two payers were inappropriate. No matter how minor the actions may seem, young people need to understand that there are consequences for their actions. We will address these concerns and continue to have a strong, positive football program that represents Ferris State University on and off the field.”

So, when FSU goes to defend their national championship next year, coach Annese will be sitting out the first game of the playoffs.

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