Illinois LB Brown Suspended 1 Game For Cheap Shot
(CBS) Illinois linebacker Jonathan Brown has been suspended one game by head coach Ron Zook for kneeing Northwestern lineman Patrick Ward in the groin during Saturday's 38-35 win over the Wildcats.
"We are extremely disappointed by what happened on Saturday and Jonathan knows that," Zook said in a statement. "We don't condone that type of behavior in our program. I've talked to Jonathan and he understands that. He is a good person, a spiritual person, and no one feels worse about it than him. But he got caught up in the moment, made a serious mistake and must deal with the consequences."
Replays clearly showed Brown intentionally kneeing Ward in the groin after the whistle.
"I apologize to my family, my teammates and the Illinois fans for letting themdown," Brown said. "I also would like to apologize to the Northwestern team for my actions. What I did was out of character and won't happen again."
The Big Ten also issued a statement showing support for the suspension, while also issuing a public reprimand.
Brown has started four games for the Illini this season and is second on the team in tackles. He will miss this week's game at Indiana.
