Spring Break
Seymour won't play football for CMU
Attorney: It was a mutual agreement
By: Jason Barczy
Sports Editor
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Seymour" SRC="http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper906/thumbs/t_44ca3dfb2412a-73-1.jpg" target=new>Jerry Seymour will never again play football for Central Michigan University.
Athletics Director Dave Heeke released a statement Thursday evening, stating it is in Seymour's best interest to pursue his football career at a different institution.
But the decision wasn't CMU's alone. Doraid Elder, one of Seymour's attorneys, said it was more of a mutual decision.
"This whole thing was an unfortunate incident," Elder said. "It was more of a mutual decision but it was ultimately Jerry's decision. He just wants to get away from the whole thing."
Seymour, who was on trial for second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and assault with a intent to do great bodily harm, pleaded no contest July 18 to a lesser charge of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, a high-court misdemeanor.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, but Seymour is more likely to serve at most six months in jail.
Seymour canceled his bond July 20 and returned to the Isabella County Jail, in hopes that Isabella County Trial Judge William T. Ervin will take it into consideration when he sentences Seymour on Aug. 21. Seymour already has served four months in jail, stemming from his Sept. 2005 indictment.
The decision to not come back to CMU forces Seymour to transfer to another school if he wants to continue is college football career.
"There has been a lot of media scrutiny surrounding this whole thing," said CMU football coach Brian Kelly. "This thing wouldn't have died down, and this gives him (Seymour) an opportunity to start over anew."
If Seymour wants to play football this season he would have to transfer to either a Division II or D-IAA school.
If he wanted to play again at the D-IA level, he would have to sit out this season because of NCAA eligibility requirements.
"Its not like he's in playing shape right now," Elder said. "But the talent he has €" it's something that any college coach would want. He is going to have a lot of options."
Elder was asked if a school in Florida, Seymour's home state, was near the top of Seymour's wish list.
"It's hard to say right now," Elder said. 'I wouldn't necessarily say that Florida or anywhere around here (Michigan) is an option."
Kelly said that he will assist Seymour any way he can to help him find the right place.
"My guess is that he'll end up at a D-IAA school," Kelly said. "We'll know pretty soon. It would've been easier for him to stay here at CMU from an eligibility standpoint but at the end of the day we all feel good for him to move on."
Heeke's full statement
"Central Michigan University Athletics and football coach Brian Kelly have had discussions with Jerry Seymour and his family about Jerry's interest in rejoining the team if he is granted permission to re-enroll as a student. CMU Athletics feels it is in the best interest for all that Jerry pursue his football career at a different institution. The DeMarcus Graham case was a tragic incident and many lives were affected. CMU stands by its belief that all student-athletes are held to a higher standard and are expected to represent CMU responsibly."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
anonymous906
anonymous906
posted 8/01/06 @ 4:13 AM EST
I like to think I'm not the only one who thinks calling the DeMarcus Graham case an "incident" is a bit of an understatement. I do believe what happened is called murder, and I can't figure out why CMU Athletics is tip-toeing around Seymour's options in terms of "finding the right school" to continue his career, ect. (Continued…)
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