Jimbo Fisher Comments on Francois’ Senior Day Absence

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State easily handled business against Delaware State, but one storyline that has fans concerned is the absence of the Seminoles’ injured quarterback, Deondre Francois, from Saturday’s 77-6 Senior Day victory.

The redshirt sophomore was not present at Doak Campbell Stadium and reportedly posted updates on the social media platform Snapchat — from his hometown of Orlando — while the game was still going on.

Seminoles’ head coach Jimbo Fisher was asked about the quarterback’s absence in FSU’s next-to-last home game. The exchange reads as follows:

Reporter: “Deondre wasn’t at the game on Saturday. Is there a policy on injured players coming to game?”

Fisher: “No.”

Reporter: “Or just a player discretion?”

Fisher: “Player discretion.”

The head coach offered no further explanation.

Francois injured his patella tendon in the season opener against Alabama — an injury which ended his 2017 season. Nevertheless, he has been present on the sideline during every game this season, aside from Saturday’s home finale.

The absence of last year’s ACC Rookie of the Year has led some to question leadership both from Francois and inside the program. The Seminoles will visit rival Florida on Saturday.

Josh Mixon covers Florida State athletics for The Daily Nole. You can find him on Twitter @JoshDMixon.