Northern Illinois University linebacker Jamaal Bass has been indicted on felony charges for knocking down a Toledo band member as the team was running on to the field before a game last season. Bass was indicted for one count of felony assault and another count of misdemeanor assault by a Lucas County, Ohio, grand jury on Friday.

Before watching this video, I thought it was going to look like a James Harrison cheap shot. After watching the video, I do not understand how Bass is being charged with felonious assault. In the video you can see Bass (right side, #6)  jump, leading with his shoulder, into a member of the band but it looks like he was doing the celebration that most athletes do after they make a big play and was not trying to be violent or malicious at all. However, Bass was suspended three games for this incident and the band member that was hit reportedly suffered a concussion.

The saddest part about this whole thing is that if Bass is found guilty, he can face a maximum sentence of eight, that’s right EIGHT, years in prison. That seems a bit ridiculous, if you ask me.

 

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAzVDDfB7qA[/youtube]

 

via Daily Chronicle