EAST LANSING — Jacoby Windmon’s first season with Michigan State football came to an abrupt end last fall with a suspension following the tunnel fight at Michigan Stadium.

He’s ready to turn the page, the senior linebacker said Monday, expressing contrition for the past and hope for forgiveness in his first comments since the Oct. 29 fight and after the loss to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

“It just all pretty much happened fast,” said Windmon, who decided in December to bypass turning pro to return to the Spartans for his fifth season. “It's life; things happen in life. I'm a firm believer in that everybody goes through some type of adversity, it's just really how you bounce from it.

“It just was very unfortunate. I've sent my apologies to the school down the road. But at the end of the day, we're here for this season. I just look forward to this season, and I'm focused on the now.”

DISTANT REPLAY: Michigan State football's 10 greatest games at Spartan Stadium in 100 years

IN THE COURTS: Khary Crump's tunnel fight probation cut short for good behavior

Windmon was one of seven MSU players charged as part of the fight following the 29-7 loss at U-M. He received one count of misdemeanor assault and battery by Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit on Nov. 23, which Windmon's attorney Jamie White on Monday said was cleared from his client's record for completing a pre-trial diversionary program in July. It was part of a agreement made with 15th District Judge Miriam Perry in January.

“I would never say it's behind me, because it's something I have to live with for the rest of my life,” Windmon said. “And it's something that I take serious, so I can learn from it as I did and grow from it.”

Windmon, who along with defensive back Khary Crump took part in an altercation with Michigan’s Gemon Green inside the tunnel, was reinstated to MSU’s program after the season. The former UNLV player and seven other teammates missed the Spartans’ final four games of 2022, and Crump received an additional eight-game suspension for this season from the Big Ten.

Asked about the incident after the game, Windmon said he did not know what happened.

“It's just a violent game, just playing football,” he said in October. “It's a rivalry game. You know there's gonna be a lot of talking back and forth. But from our side, it wasn't too much talking, just a lot of playing football and pads popping. And that was it.”

Fellow linebacker Aaron Brule, who took over Windmon’s position at the end of last season, said he and others made sure to keep tabs on their teammate during his suspension, which coach Mel Tucker ended after the final game.

“It was really hard for me, because I have a big passion for football. Like, football is everything for me,” Windmon said Monday. “But I'm a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason, so I was able to learn from the situation. My teammates were able to learn from me by being an example.”

“Definitely, you gotta give him some time. Obviously, it was probably hard for him to process that during that time,” said Brule, who is from New Orleans like Windmon. “We just checked in on him, everybody was checking in on him. He was in really good spirits. He was able to spend time with his family and always be around for the team. We'd hang out with him when we weren't at practice and stuff like that.”

Windmon, who emerged as a defensive leader over the Spartans’ first eight games, said it was pivotal for him to remain involved in whatever capacity he could with his teammates in the final month of 2022.

“I had to look at the good and try to find a way to add value to my team versus just been stuck up in a room and being mad about, you know, what happened, because every time does happen for a reason,” he said.

Windmon started the first eight games, opening the season at defensive end before moving back to his natural position of linebacker. He became the first Spartan to win three Big Ten defensive player of the week honors in a season and earned the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week after MSU’s season-opening win over Western Michigan on Sept. 2.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pounder was a second-team midseason All-American, according to Pro Football Focus, and led the nation with six forced fumbles and a team-high 5½ sacks among his 49 tackles at the time of his suspension. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery.

“Having spring with Jacoby has really helped us,” defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton said earlier this month. “It's a point where he got a chance to get his rust knocked off and become a 'backer again. He's moving like a 'backer, he's a little bit cleaner. We're working on some of his space stuff, but in the run game, he's been really solid. And that's kind of what he did in the couple of games that he played last year at linebacker.”

The final position Windmon assumed last season was a spectator for the month of November as he awaited potential charges during his suspension.

“It was very challenging at first, because I was trying to carry all that weight on my shoulders,” he said. “But I had to come to the realization that I could actually express myself. I was just watching a video two days ago, and it said, 'Most men always say they're good after someone ask them how they're feeling. And there's over 200 emotions.' So I was able to experience different emotions.

“I wasn't just telling people I was good, I was actually telling people how I was feeling — whether that was my teammates, family, or coaches. So a big shoutout to them, because they were able to help me through this whole process, just talking to them and getting the feedback from them. They were keeping my head on straight. That was very helpful through that whole process.”

Though he didn’t receive postseason Big Ten honors, Windmon had created enough buzz in the first eight games to generate interest from NFL scouts. He instead decided to return to MSU despite the lost time with the suspension.

“The NFL is a dream, so I just wanted to do what's best for my future and put myself in the best position to be successful,” he said. “It was a pretty hard decision to make, I was going back and forth. But at the end of the day, I just felt like whatever decision I made, I was gonna be 100% in. It was an influence on my decision, being suspended. But at the end of the day, I wanted to put my best foot forward.

“I don't want to have no regrets going to the NFL, so they don't have to question my character, my play on the field, how my teammates view me. I just wanted to come back around and just do another year with my teammates. A last ride and making it my best ride.”

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.

Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football: Jacoby Windmon learns, grows after U-M fight