Mississippi State freshman football player Jeffery Simmons pleaded no contest to simple assault Tuesday in Macon Municipal Court, his lawyer Jay Perry said.
Simmons, who was charged with simple assault and disturbing the peace after a video surfaced of him striking a woman, was fined $175 and was ordered to pay $711 in restitution for the simple assault. He will also pay court costs for each charge.
The disturbing the peace charge was dropped, but he was found guilty of malicious mischief, for which he was fined $300 and ordered to pay $175 in restitution.
Sophia Taylor, the victim, was found guilty of disturbing the peace through fighting and fined $225.
“Jeffery is a fantastic young man that made a really poor decision in a heated situation,” Perry said. “He is extremely excited to have this behind him. He very much looks forward to two things: being a student-athlete and all the things and the responsibility that go along with that and in showing the world what kind of person he is.”
MSU allowed Simmons, a former Noxubee County High School star, to enroll in June, but under conditions. He will be suspended for the first game of his career. He also will be evaluated by licensed professionals at the university’s Student Counseling Services and will be required to complete any program that office prescribes.
“Based on conversations our staff has had with school, community and church leaders in Noxubee County, this incident appears to be uncharacteristic of Jeffery,” MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin said in a school release in June. “It’s a highly unique circumstance to administer discipline to a student for an incident that occurred prior to that individual joining our university. However, it’s important that Jeffery and other potential MSU students understand that these type of actions and poor decisions are not acceptable.
“We expect the structure and discipline Jeffery will be a part of in our football program to benefit him. Jeffery will be held accountable for his actions while at MSU, and there will be consequences for any future incidents,” he continued.
MSU football coach Dan Mullen spoke for the first time to the media about the decision to allow Simmons to enroll during Southeastern Conference Media Days two weeks ago in Hoover, Alabama.
He distanced himself from the decision.
“I wasn’t involved as much,” Mullen said. “It was a university decision, but I was just thrilled that we’re having Jeffery as part of our family coming in.”
Mullen was pushed at Media Days about the responsibility he or the administrators at MSU have if Simmons is involved in an incident on campus.
“We’re all responsible,” Mullen said. “I’m responsible for all the actions for every one of my players. I’m responsible as a head coach. I can’t be with them all the time. All I can do is be a parent. My wife and I try to be parents to every one of the kids in our program.”
On Tuesday, a representative with MSU’s Sports Information Department told The Dispatch Mullen would offer no comment on Simmons’ plea.
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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