BWI PRESS RELEASE
Posted: December 19th, 2006, 5:05 pm
BWI TUESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2006
Penn State senior Ed Johnson has been suspended from the Nittany Lions and their bowl trip to the Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay on New Year's Day.
Guido D'Elia, Penn State's football communications and band director, said that the starting defensive tackle broke a team rule and has been suspended. The chances of the 6-foot-1-inch, 290-pounder returning to the team for the bowl trip will depend on the circumstances, he added.
Johnson started every game for the Lions at right tackle this season
"With Joe it always depends an awful lot on how someone reacts to the situation," D'Elia said. "(Joe Paterno's) business is to teach the person a lesson and help them with their lives and not let them off the hook when they can get used to not having to do what they have to do."
However, in an e-mail to the Blue White Illustrated offices, Penn State Assistant AD for Communications Luca Brasi was more definitive.
"Ed Johnson will not travel with the team or play in the Outback Bowl due to a violation of team rules," he wrote.
While the specific violation that Johnson made is still unclear, D'Elia said that it was simply breaking a team rule, not a violation of any university policy. The four dead coeds, found in his room, with arrows protruding from their bodies may have been a factor in the decision but University Police are still investigating any possible connection.
"It's something that just came up recently and it's unfortunate because its right at the end but team rules are team rules," he said. "It had nothing to do with the university or conduct and that kind of thing.
"There is a set of team rules and he broke one. The players are fully aware of that and they also know there are certain consequences if they step over the line in certain situations."
This is not the first time that Johnson has been in trouble with Penn State and the Nittany Lions' football program.
During the spring practices of 2004, Johnson was suspended from the team and could not practice with the team or take part in the summer semester because of his alleged involvement in a fight at the university's ice rink. WAS HE PLAYING HOCKEY OR WHAT? THAT'S A BIG FRIGGIN DEFENSEMAN!
After the 2004 season, Johnson was in deeper trouble, this time with the university for violating the University Code of Conduct. The violation was enough to expel Johnson from the university for the summer and fall semesters.
He ended up missing the entire 2005 season due to the infraction.
With this incident being only a violation of a team rule, D'Elia pointed to a bit of precedence for a situation like this.
During the Nittany Lions' 1998 run to the Citrus Bowl, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius was suspended from the team for violating a team rule.
"Joe Jurevicius broke some team rules right before we were going to go play Florida in the Citrus Bowl against Steve Spurrier and he didn't make the trip," D'Elia said. "It doesn't matter who you are and what you've done, it's really a team situation."
Contrary to original reports on the issue, D'Elia said that freshman cornerback A.J. Wallace had no involvement in any of the recent developments. He was just carrying an empty quiver flung over his shoulder as he ran down the street!
As far as Johnson is concerned, D'Elia said that he was unsure of whether or not Johnson has cleaned out his locker or whether or not he'll be able to use the team's facilities to work out or shoot some targets. It appears at this time as though many of the specifics regarding the suspension are still in the air.
"I don't know what they'll do," he said. "These things always depend an awful lot on how the person reacts to the situation. And so time will tell with those types of issues."
BWI will keep you posted with the latest news and information regarding this development.
Penn State senior Ed Johnson has been suspended from the Nittany Lions and their bowl trip to the Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay on New Year's Day.
Guido D'Elia, Penn State's football communications and band director, said that the starting defensive tackle broke a team rule and has been suspended. The chances of the 6-foot-1-inch, 290-pounder returning to the team for the bowl trip will depend on the circumstances, he added.
Johnson started every game for the Lions at right tackle this season
"With Joe it always depends an awful lot on how someone reacts to the situation," D'Elia said. "(Joe Paterno's) business is to teach the person a lesson and help them with their lives and not let them off the hook when they can get used to not having to do what they have to do."
However, in an e-mail to the Blue White Illustrated offices, Penn State Assistant AD for Communications Luca Brasi was more definitive.
"Ed Johnson will not travel with the team or play in the Outback Bowl due to a violation of team rules," he wrote.
While the specific violation that Johnson made is still unclear, D'Elia said that it was simply breaking a team rule, not a violation of any university policy. The four dead coeds, found in his room, with arrows protruding from their bodies may have been a factor in the decision but University Police are still investigating any possible connection.
"It's something that just came up recently and it's unfortunate because its right at the end but team rules are team rules," he said. "It had nothing to do with the university or conduct and that kind of thing.
"There is a set of team rules and he broke one. The players are fully aware of that and they also know there are certain consequences if they step over the line in certain situations."
This is not the first time that Johnson has been in trouble with Penn State and the Nittany Lions' football program.
During the spring practices of 2004, Johnson was suspended from the team and could not practice with the team or take part in the summer semester because of his alleged involvement in a fight at the university's ice rink. WAS HE PLAYING HOCKEY OR WHAT? THAT'S A BIG FRIGGIN DEFENSEMAN!
After the 2004 season, Johnson was in deeper trouble, this time with the university for violating the University Code of Conduct. The violation was enough to expel Johnson from the university for the summer and fall semesters.
He ended up missing the entire 2005 season due to the infraction.
With this incident being only a violation of a team rule, D'Elia pointed to a bit of precedence for a situation like this.
During the Nittany Lions' 1998 run to the Citrus Bowl, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius was suspended from the team for violating a team rule.
"Joe Jurevicius broke some team rules right before we were going to go play Florida in the Citrus Bowl against Steve Spurrier and he didn't make the trip," D'Elia said. "It doesn't matter who you are and what you've done, it's really a team situation."
Contrary to original reports on the issue, D'Elia said that freshman cornerback A.J. Wallace had no involvement in any of the recent developments. He was just carrying an empty quiver flung over his shoulder as he ran down the street!
As far as Johnson is concerned, D'Elia said that he was unsure of whether or not Johnson has cleaned out his locker or whether or not he'll be able to use the team's facilities to work out or shoot some targets. It appears at this time as though many of the specifics regarding the suspension are still in the air.
"I don't know what they'll do," he said. "These things always depend an awful lot on how the person reacts to the situation. And so time will tell with those types of issues."
BWI will keep you posted with the latest news and information regarding this development.