USC coach Lincoln Riley backs suspended linebacker: Like a son

In his first public comments about the suspension of his top linebacker, USC coach Lincoln Riley acknowledged his disappointment in Desman Stephens II – while also making a case for forgiveness.“I look at him like a son,” Riley said Tuesday evening.“And even a situation where you made a mistake doesn’t change that.”Riley said the decision to suspend Stephens for one game after his vile celebration following a hit that left Oregon quarterback Dante Moore with a concussion on Saturday was made in collaboration with athletic director Jen Cohen the next morning.Immediately after the Trojans’ 41-27 loss to the Ducks at the Coliseum, Riley said he did not see the gloating that happened both as Stephens left the field and once he reached the sideline, where he smiled and dapped up teammates in celebration as Moore lay motionless on the field.“I think just for him, just an awareness of the optics,” Riley said of what disappointed him after having watched the celebration.

“Knowing him like I do, do I believe deep down in my heart that he was celebrating over an injured player? No.”Riley intimated that Stephens getting caught in the heat of the moment contributed to his actions.“It’s a little difficult to describe to everybody sometimes what it’s like in the arena when you haven’t been in the arena,” Riley said, alluding to those who haven’t played football at a high level.“It’s highly competitive, it’s highly emotional.

And so … I’m disappointed with what he did, and he needs to have more awareness because it was a serious situation and we never wanna see anybody down like that ever on any side.”Asking those who have been castigating Stephens for leniency, Riley said they should consider how they would want the situation handled if the player were their son.“Our job is to educate him on what he didn’t do well,” said Riley, who also addressed his team about the situation.“There’s a consequence with it – it’s a rea...