A dangerous time of year
The off season after the school year ends is a dangerous time of year for college football teams. It's a time when some players are tempted to get into trouble and coaches keep their fingers crossed that their team won't be the one to be struck by a rash of embarrassments. Of course, if there are enough players getting in trouble, it becomes more than just an embarrassment. It can mean the suspension or expulsion of a star player and alter team prospects in the Fall.
This year Southern Cal has grabbed the early lead in terms of total team troubles or at least in terms of unfavorable national publicity. Even departed stars like Reggie Bush have cast a long shadow backwards. No one knows for sure how the allegations of financial misconduct by Reggie Bush or his family will turn out. It possibly could result in Southern Cal having to forfeit some games and it could severely alter the win-loss record. Regardless of the ultimate findings, Southern Cal has suffered through a lot of bad national publicity. That won't go away no matter how the situation is resolved. And of course there have been other player problems beyond just those of Reggie Bush.
This past week Texas experienced its own embarrassment. Running back Ramonce Taylor who was already suspended for academic reasons was arrested by law enforcement officials for having about 5 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle. Taylor's lawyer says the marijuana was not his. The pecan farmer on whose land Taylor was partying says Taylor and his friends were trying to sell drugs. Again the legal system will have to sort out the claims and counter claims but the publicity will be bad for Texas no matter how things turn out. Taylor also stands to suffer. Now he probably won't be reinstated to the team. Texas doesn't really need him any more so when he got in more trouble that's probably the end of his college career. The problems also can't help his NFL prospects and at the very least will cost him millions of dollars IF he gets a chance in the NFL. Whether guilty or not, Taylor made a big mistake being in the wrong situation - a life changing mistake.
Yes, players and young men do make mistakes. And if you live in the "fish bowl" of having played on a national championship contending team, there will be no escaping the negative national publicity. Players need to think twice about where they go, who they hang out with and what they do. That's especially true when facing the temptations they will come across in the off season.
Go Big Red,
RedCap
This year Southern Cal has grabbed the early lead in terms of total team troubles or at least in terms of unfavorable national publicity. Even departed stars like Reggie Bush have cast a long shadow backwards. No one knows for sure how the allegations of financial misconduct by Reggie Bush or his family will turn out. It possibly could result in Southern Cal having to forfeit some games and it could severely alter the win-loss record. Regardless of the ultimate findings, Southern Cal has suffered through a lot of bad national publicity. That won't go away no matter how the situation is resolved. And of course there have been other player problems beyond just those of Reggie Bush.
This past week Texas experienced its own embarrassment. Running back Ramonce Taylor who was already suspended for academic reasons was arrested by law enforcement officials for having about 5 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle. Taylor's lawyer says the marijuana was not his. The pecan farmer on whose land Taylor was partying says Taylor and his friends were trying to sell drugs. Again the legal system will have to sort out the claims and counter claims but the publicity will be bad for Texas no matter how things turn out. Taylor also stands to suffer. Now he probably won't be reinstated to the team. Texas doesn't really need him any more so when he got in more trouble that's probably the end of his college career. The problems also can't help his NFL prospects and at the very least will cost him millions of dollars IF he gets a chance in the NFL. Whether guilty or not, Taylor made a big mistake being in the wrong situation - a life changing mistake.
Yes, players and young men do make mistakes. And if you live in the "fish bowl" of having played on a national championship contending team, there will be no escaping the negative national publicity. Players need to think twice about where they go, who they hang out with and what they do. That's especially true when facing the temptations they will come across in the off season.
Go Big Red,
RedCap
posted by RedCap at 9:34 AM
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