Jimbo Fisher has seen too many bad things happen with his players at bars, so he has decided to do something about it.
According to The Tallahassee Democrat sports editor Jim Henry, Fisher met with his Florida State football players Saturday and told them that bars are now off limits.
Word is FSU coach Jimbo Fisher met with his team earlier today. Laid down the law; bars off limits to players. Moving forward with…
— Jim Henry (@JimHenryTALLY) July 11, 2015
bring in professionals, as President Thrasher indicated in statement yesterday, to meet with players. Proactive as promised.
— Jim Henry (@JimHenryTALLY) July 11, 2015
Fisher’s policy change comes after quarterback DeAndre Johnson was kicked off the team after punching a woman at a bar and, in a separate incident, running back Dalvin Cook was suspended for allegedly punching a woman at a bar.
“Recent events at Florida State University involving members of my football team have brought a lot of attention to the school and program. It is important to me that our fans and the public be aware that I do not tolerate the type of behavior that was captured on video and that was most recently alleged,” Fisher said in a statement Friday. “We spend a good deal of time educating our student-athletes about appropriate behavior and their responsibilities as representatives of Florida State. The majority of our players are exemplary, but clearly we must place an even stronger emphasis on this, and I personally promise we will.
“I remain committed to educating our young men and holding them accountable for their actions.”
Fisher’s actions were also spurred by university president John Thrasher, who in so many words told the coach to get his program under control.
“I have asked Coach Fisher and Athletics Director Stan Wilcox to develop a plan to help our student-athletes understand the consequences of these kinds of actions,” Thrasher said. “This will include Coach Fisher meeting immediately with his team to reiterate, in no uncertain terms, our expectations of them. I also plan to meet with the team, and we will be asking professionals who deal with these matters, including State Attorney Willie Meggs, to speak with them.”
The bars alone are obviously not the problem — players can get into trouble anywhere — but telling them to stay away is a good start. Next up would be instructing them to follow one simple rule in life: never hit a woman.
