The Citadel suspends player after comment about Florida State injuries

Sep 6, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) scrambles away from Citadel Bulldogs defensive lineman Mitchell Jeter (62) during the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) scrambles away from Citadel Bulldogs defensive lineman Mitchell Jeter (62) during the first half at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Citadel has officially suspending offensive guard Victor Hill, who in an online post on Sunday said that the team’s offensive line was intentionally “going for the knees” against Florida State a day earlier has been suspended for an indefinite period of time. No. 1 Florida State suffered three injuries to defensive linemen in their 37-12 win over The Citadel.

More from College Football

The Citadel head coach Mike Houston made the announcement in a statement that was put on the school’s athletic website. He said that the senior guard was suspended for “inappropriate comments he made on social media.”

“I am very disappointed in the words chosen by Victor Hill, who is a member of The Citadel football program,” Houston said in a statement posted Monday. “After speaking at length on multiple occasions with Victor and careful review of video footage of our game from this past Saturday night, I have found no purposeful intent to injure from Vic … or by any other member of our football program.”

Hill posted in the comments section of a Post and Courier article focusing on Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher’s thoughts on the Bulldogs’ cut-blocking techniques. Fisher said in the article, “When you play these kind of teams, they’re constantly cutting the knees and ankles. Nothing illegal about it. That’s just football.”

Here was Hill’s post:

Screen_Shot_2014-09-07_at_12.49.20_PM
Screen_Shot_2014-09-07_at_12.49.20_PM /

Coach Houston also added that Hill could return to the team “when he successfully demonstrates that he can abide and live by the core values that should be demonstrated by any individuals who have the privilege to represent The Citadel and our football program.”

Florida State lost defensive tackles Eddie Goldman, Nile Lawrence-Stample as well as reserve Justin Shanks to lower-leg injuries in the first half of Saturday’s game.

The NCAA has not taken action.

Florida State will go into a bye week this week, but will have 23rd-ranked Clemson next Saturday in one of their most important games of the season.