Michigan State standout linebacker Joe Bachie suspended by Big Ten for failed drug test
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State senior linebacker and captain Joe Bachie has been declared ineligible by the Big Ten for a failed drug test.
According to the university, Bachie tested positive “for a substance that is classified as a performance-enhancing substance banned by the league. Michigan State plans to file an immediate appeal with the Big Ten regarding the testing.
“Joe Bachie has built himself into an All-Big Ten middle linebacker and two-time team captain through his incredible work ethic and leadership skills,” Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement. “This situation breaks my heart, but I know Joe is resilient and accountable. No one feels worse than Joe does, a sentiment he expressed when he spoke to the team earlier today."
A preseason All-American, Bachie is a three-year starter at middle linebacker who leads the team with 71 tackles, 8.5 of them for a loss. The Brook Park, Ohio, native has 3.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and an interception this season.
Bachie is a second-year captain.
“All my career I’ve done my very best to represent Michigan State in a positive manner on and off the field,” Bachie said in a statement. “I plan to appeal, but to all of those affected, from my coaches to my teammates and to the fans, I apologize for putting them through this situation. I will always be a Spartan.”
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The Spartans (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten) are off this week before hosting Illinois on Nov. 9.
“This does not define Joe as a player, and more importantly, as a man,” Dantonio said. “He will graduate in December and has a very bright future ahead of him, both on and off the field. As a program, we plan to appeal immediately, and will continue to support Joe however we can.”
The situation is reminiscent of when Dantonio suspended Max Bullough — also a two-time captain and middle linebacker — for an unspecified violation a week before the Spartans’ Rose Bowl win over Stanford on Jan. 1, 2014.