Michigan Football: Grant Perry Should Not Be Back With Wolverines

When Grant Perry was indefinitely suspected from Michigan football, there was a clear time set for a possible return. That has been ignored.

To understand the absurdity of wide receiver Grant Perry being allowed to make a return to the Michigan football program recently after being indefinitely suspended in December, we have to go back to October.

During the Wolverines’ bye week, Perry was waiting in line outside an East Lansing bar just after midnight when he was accused of grabbing a woman by the groin and buttocks. According to a spokesman for the East Lansing Police Department, police arrived on the scene and tried to grab Perry. They had to chase him, and in the “midst of the fracas,” one of the officers suffered a “minor” hand injury.

Citing “disciplinary reasons,” Perry was suspended by Jim Harbaugh for the next two games.

Then, after learning that charges would be filed, Perry was “immediately and indefinitely suspended from all team activities until the legal process is completed,” associate athletic director Dave Ablaut said in a statement.

He was charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony for resisting or avoiding arrest, and a misdemeanor for being a minor in possession of alcohol (Perry was 19 at the time).

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So you can imagine my surprise when Harbaugh told reporters that Perry is “back working out with the team.”

“Grant Perry is an outstanding football player,” Harbaugh added.

But the legal process isn’t completed, which makes Perry’s return to the program fly directly in the face of the statement that said he would be suspended “until the legal process is completed.” So what gives?

There have been multiple delays in the legal process. The most recent came last month, when Perry’s original trial date of May 15 was pushed back. There wasn’t a date set immediately, but we now know that he is scheduled to appear in Ingham County Circuit Court on July 17.

If we’re to take Michigan’s indefinite suspension at face value, July 17 should be the earliest date which Perry is allowed to return to the program, and that’s without any regard to the outcome of the trial.

That Perry’s early reinstatement hasn’t raised a few more eyebrows is a little concerning to me. Is it because Perry is returning as the Wolverines’ leading receiver from last season? Or is it because we’ve simply stopped even pretending to care about these things? To do either—both are ultimately a willingness to look the other way—seems very disingenuous.

I’m not comfortable just letting this one slip by, so I won’t. I would be even less comfortable cheering this announcement.

Looking ahead to that July 17 trial date, if it doesn’t get delayed again, Michigan is running the risk of being embarrassed by an unfavorable outcome. If Perry faces hefty enough legal consequences, Michigan would be pressured to pursue at least another suspension, if not a complete dismissal. That would also solidify his recent reinstatement as a premature move, something that the program (especially Harbaugh) would likely be pressed on.

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Perry having his suspension lifted before the legal process has had a chance to play out is a blatant contradiction to what was said back in December, and aside from that, it’s simply not a smart thing to do.

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