The University of Wisconsin Badgers have dismissed or suspended two other players aside from Jalen Berger: Loyal Crawford and Antwan Roberts. | Wikimedia Commons
The University of Wisconsin Badgers have dismissed or suspended two other players aside from Jalen Berger: Loyal Crawford and Antwan Roberts. | Wikimedia Commons
The University of Wisconsin Badgers' recent dismissal of running back Jalen Berger came as a surprise to some only a year after the sophomore led the team in rushing. Now there's indication Berger put "I" before "team."
The decision to dismiss Berger completely from the team came from coach Paul Chryst, according to coverage by Spectrum News. It led to confusion and speculation among football fans.
"I would guess that he has been a problem for a while behind the scenes. Program dismissals don't happen willy-nilly," Twitter user Coach Riley stated on social media.
The Wisconsin State Journal recently reported that the players and coaches have remained tight-lipped regarding the reason for Berger's dismissal. Yet, unnamed sources have claimed that Berger was missing team meetings and workouts ahead of Wisconsin's 24-0 victory over Illinois, a game for which Berger was absent ahead of the dismissal.
One thing is known, current starting running back and junior Chez Mellusi had supplanted Berger as a starter during the preseason training camp, the State Journal reported. Since Mellusi came to the Badgers from Clemson, Berger had been noticeably unhappy and some trace that moment to when his defiance of team rules began.
Yet, Berger hasn't been the only player to leave the Badgers since the preseason, according to Spectrum News. Loyal Crawford was dismissed and Antwan Roberts suspended before the season began, though Crawford's dismissal related to criminal charges.
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