San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny had the unfortunate displeasure of having his eyes poked at intentionally on Saturday night against Northern Illinois. The perpetrator was Huskies linebacker Antonio Jones-Davis, who was suspended one game for his action.
Here’s a look at the eye-poking incident, which forced Penny out of the game for a bit.
NIU player caught poking his hand at Rashard Penny’s eyes. https://t.co/uSKzQPBTNA
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) October 1, 2017
On Monday, Jones-Davis and Huskies coach Rod Carey both called to apologize for the horrible display of unsportsmanlike behavior. In response to those apologies, Penny took the high road.
“He was very sincere,” Penny said of Jones-Davis according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. “The head coach was, too. I felt the apology from them, and I accepted it. … Life is short. You have to accept things and move on. …
“I feel like there were high emotions (in the game). I really have no grudges against anybody. I get up and smile after every game. I think it just made us better. … You wish it never happened. You never want that to happen to any player in college football. But it happens. I’m just over it. Now we’re focusing on a new week.”
It would be easy to take offense and hold a grudge. Many players do when things of this nature occur. Penny is showing some maturity here that reflects well on him, his family and his team. And you can be sure NFL teams are taking notice as well.
The Aztecs running back has been one of the most impressive players of the college football season thus far. Penny has rushed for 823 rushing yards this season, which is second in the nation behind Stanford’s Bryce Love, who is on pace to break Barry Sanders’ all-time single-season record with 1,088 through his first five games.