Notre Dame analyst Pinkett suspended

Posted on Sep 5, 2012 in Sports | 0 comments

Notre Dame University broadcaster Allen Pinkett has been suspended for suggesting the team needed more “criminals” to win, his employer said Tuesday.

The Notre Dame IMG Radio Network said Pinkett, a two-time All-America running back with the Irish and the team’s radio broadcast analyst since 2001, was suspended after telling a Chicago radio station the Irish needed to be more like Ohio State, which was slapped with a one-year bowl ban in December.

The NCAA penalties came after Buckeyes players were found to have received $14,000 in cash and tattoos in exchange for autographed jerseys, rings and other memorabilia.

“That’s how Ohio State used to win all the time. They would have two or three guys that were criminals and that just adds to the chemistry of the team,” Pinkett told WSCR-AM last week.

He added he believed Notre Dame was “growing” because of the recent suspensions of four players.

The network said Pinkett would return to the microphone for the team’s Sept. 22 game against Michigan.

“I will work very hard to make the most of this second chance in representing the high standards and proud tradition of Notre Dame football,” Pinkett said in an apology.

Copyright 2012 by United Press International