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USC's Jabari Ruffin suspended for half following groin stomp

Nick Bromberg
Ruffin had 11 tackles in 2015 (AP).
Ruffin had 11 tackles in 2015 (AP).

USC defensive end Jabari Ruffin will sit out the first half of the Trojans’ game vs. Utah State on Saturday.

Ruffin was ejected from USC’s Week 1 blowout loss to Alabama after he stomped on the crotch of Alabama cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. Ruffin committed the offense right in the vicinity of an official, so he had no chance of getting away with the step.

In case you think the suspension of just a half is light, don’t worry, there’s more to the punishment. USC coach Clay Helton said Sunday that the senior will also have to write an apology letter for his actions. Perhaps it can be an open letter published on USC’s team website.

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“Jabari is a good kid that made a poor, emotional decision,” Helton said via the Los Angeles Times. “I am sorry as a head coach. … He is also. And I know that it will not happen again.”

Helton also noted there will be a “zero tolerance moving forward.” Maybe that means any other USC player who stupidly decides to step on a player’s groin will be punished for an entire game.

Ruffin had 11 tackles and a forced fumble in 2015.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!