When LSU coach Les Miles walked into his Monday press conference, he brought both a player and a message with him.
Sophomore running back Jeremy Hill accompanied Miles as they entered the room, and before Miles commented on his runner’s situation, Hill addressed the media.
“I would like to thank Coach Miles and this University for giving me another chance to play football,” Hill said. “I would like to apologize to my teammates and the community.”
Hill had his legal fate determined Monday afternoon by Judge Bonnie Jackson, as the sophomore received continued probation and 40 hours of community service after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery charges stemming from an April bar fight.
“I made a poor choice in judgment, but since then I’ve learned from that mistake, and moving forward, I’m looking to be a better person and a better teammate and a better role model for the kids in the community,” Hill said.
Miles did say that Hill will receive further punishment, but it will be internal. Any suspension for Hill has yet to be determined.
The running back apologized to his teammates before the squad’s afternoon practice Monday, and after a unanimous vote by the players, Hill was allowed to return to practice.
Miles closed the squad’s afternoon practice to the media as Hill returned to team activities. He noted that Hill was “rusty as heck” after his first day of work.
“They voted to have him back. He was not going to be invited back to practice had they not voted to invite him back,” Miles said. “He owes this school, this team and this community his best behavior, and I think he’ll have further punishment.”
According to Miles, Hill would have been the starting running back had this situation not occurred, but senior Alfred Blue has since established himself as the No. 1 option.