Michigan State's Glenn Winston Pleads Guilty, So What's Next For Him?

Spartan football fans have been patiently waiting for the Rather Hall incident's dust to settle for the last three months.

The news of the fraternity melee quickly spread across campus, and headlines blasted across the Internet and newspapers, reporting on the assault within a blink of an eye.

Today, the 6-foot-2, 218 pound former Spartan running back Glenn Winston plead guilty to conspiracy to commit assault charges stemming from the November incident on Michigan State's campus.

Winston, 20, who has a prior history of violent altercations, will await his fate for another month or so. He will be sentenced in Lansing on March 22.

After a scuffle that nearly ended the life of an MSU hockey player last year, Winston was removed from the football team and forced to face the law of the land.

It's often hard to look at an athlete in a different light after such an event has transpired. Winston received a second chance from coach Mark Dantonio, but didn't do much with it.

Fatherless, misguided, and a troubled youth—Winston hasn't had it easy.

Unfortunately, players like Winston are common across the country. One such young man probably plays on your school's team.

Perhaps football was the only thing the young athlete had in his life, and he squandered it foolishly.

As forgiving as Dantonio has been in the past, he has no choice but to cut ties with Winston. He was removed indefinitely from the team, and there's no questioning the status of his return—there will be no return.

Moving on with his life and getting a college education should be the only thing on Winston's mind, forget about football. Getting one's life together is a process, and many find their way in college—while many others veer off-course.

After all, isn't that what going to school is for—to find yourself?

Winston carried the ball 60 times for 204 yards last season (two touchdowns), next fall he'll be carrying the sobering reminder of just how precious his young life is.