One year after being charged for his role in an off-campus fight, safety Anthony Scirrotto has been named one of Penn State’s team captains for the 2008 season, it was announced Tuesday.
Three other seniors also were chosen wide receiver Derrick Williams, center A.Q. Shipley and defensive end Josh Gaines. Linebacker Sean Lee, who will miss the season with a knee injury, was named an honorary captain.
Even though Scirrotto has been a dependable starter the last two seasons, his selection was surprising. In April 2007, he was one of the principals in a brief altercation in downtown State College that escalated into a melee in an apartment. He was initially charged with two felony counts and eventually agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of defiant trespass in February.
Interestingly, all the captains but Scirrotto were quoted in Penn State’s press release announcing the selections.
“I was a little surprised at first when Coach Paterno said I was a captain,” Gaines said. “I just look at it as I’ve got to keep doing what I’ve been doing. I was voted captain for a reason, so they must like what I’ve been doing. I just try to lead by example and if somebody is down, I try to pick them up.”
Lee underwent surgery Monday on his right knee to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament. He will sit out the ’08 season and plans to return for the 2009 season.
•Status clarified: The status of five Penn State players who were suspended from team activities in the winter and spring was clarified Tuesday in a statement released by Penn State.
Defensive tackles Chris Baker and Phil Taylor, linebacker Navorro Bowman, cornerback Knowledge Timmons and tight end Andrew Quarless have been suspended from the team for disciplinary reasons. The York Daily Record reported last week that all but Baker had been reinstated, but Penn State spokesmen Jeff Nelson and Guido D’Elia refuted it.
“The five players that did not participate in spring practice are now permitted to work out with the team in the weight room and training facilities,” the statement read. “Their playing status remains unchanged and will be reviewed after each of them resolves certain academic and/or legal issues.”
Baker, Bowman, Taylor and Timmons are facing charges stemming from an October fight at the Hetzel Union Building on campus. Baker also is facing charges stemming from the fight last April. Quarless was charged with driving under the influence and was suspended from the team.
•Free agents sign: Three former Penn State players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams this week and another received an invitation to a minicamp.
Wide receiver Terrell Golden signed with the Philadelphia Eagles; quarterback Anthony Morelli signed with the Arizona Cardinals; and fullback Matt Hahn signed with the Oakland Raiders.
Also, tailback Austin Scott, who was cleared of rape charges earlier this month, will attend the Cleveland Browns minicamp this weekend.
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