STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen wants to gather more information before deciding on Jeffery Simmons’ future with the program.
Simmons, a MSU signee and Noxubee County High School standout, was charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace Monday by the Macon Police Department. A video surfaced Saturday allegedly showing Simmons and another person striking a woman repeatedly while she was on the ground.
A MSU spokesperson said Monday that MSU was aware of the incident and is gathering more information. Mullen spoke to ESPN on Wednesday.
“Like any situation you get into, you evaluate all the details and research every aspect of it,” Mullen told ESPN’s Alex Scarborough. “I want to see some of the police reports. There’s so much more I want to evaluate within the situation before I make a decision about what’s best for our program.
“The five seconds of video, I don’t think there’s anything appropriate in it. That’s what everyone is looking, and I don’t think Jeffery would say there’s anything appropriate in that five seconds of video. I don’t think I’d say there’s anything appropriate in that five seconds of video you see. But looking at the bigger picture is where we’re spending our time.”
Simmons, a five-star defensive end, is the top signee for the Bulldogs in the class of 2016. He chose MSU over Alabama and Ole Miss. He led the Tigers to their second-consecutive Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state title in December.
Simmons issued an apology Saturday on Facebook, but he later removed it. The post suggested Simmons was defending his family and mentions his nephews. Simmons told The Dispatch last fall that his sister, Ashley Bradley, lost her three sons Kaleb, Ke’Avion, and Keith Jr., and he was dedicating the season to them.
Here is the complete transcript of his apology:
“Where do I start? Where do I begin? Wow! Decisions, choices and actions should always be carefully thought through when incidents occur. I take full responsibility for my actions that occurred on Thursday evening. My apology goes out to the Taylor Family and especially to Sophia Taylor. What was I thinking? Honestly, I wasn’t thinking, all I could think was this is my family and I am supposed to defend my family. Many know my deceased nephews were my pride and joy, I do everything I do in honor of the life they never got the chance to live, and to listen to someone speak so terrible about them really caused me to make choices, decisions and act in a manor that was out of character for me. Is that an excuse?… NO! I truly hope that you will find it in your hearts to forgive me for my actions. I want to apologize to those that have supported me, those who look up to me.”
The incident took place about 6:30 p.m. last Thursday at Mayfair Apartments. Brenda Bradley, Keith McCloung, and Ashley Bradley also have been charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace, while Sophia Taylor, the alleged victim, is being charged with disturbing the peace. Both charges are misdemeanors and carry a maximum possible penalty of six months in jail and a $500 fine.
Dispatch reporter Isabelle Altman contributed to this report.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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