NIU's Bass Suspended After Incident With Toledo Band
(CBS) Northern Illinois head coach Dave Doeren suspended linebacker Jamaal Bass one game Wednesday for making contact with a Toledo band member as the team took the field before Tuesday's thrilling 63-60 win over the Rockets.
As the Huskies took the field Tuesday, they intersected paths with the Toledo band, which was exiting the field. A few members of the band fell to the ground after a few players accidentally ran into them, but replays showed Bass purposely throwing his body into a band member.
"After reviewing the tape of last night's pregame encounter between our team and the University of Toledo's marching band, and discussing the situation with [NIU Director of Athletics] Jeff Compher, we have decided to suspend Jamaal for our next game," Doeren said in a statement. "His actions were not representative of the Huskie football program. I met with Jamaal early this morning and he understands that and is extremely remorseful."
Bass will miss NIU's game at Bowling Green next Tuesday night.
"I want to publicly apologize to the Rocket Marching Band and to the University of Toledo," Doeren added. "We are embarrassed at what occurred and take full responsibility for the situation. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that something like this never happens again."
Compher was in contact with the Mid-American Conference Office and made the conference aware of the suspension.
"I want to add my sincere apologies to the Rocket Marching Band and the entire University of Toledo community on behalf of Huskie Athletics and Northern Illinois University," Compher said.
