In English Comp 2, I wrote a research paper entitled "The Bad Boys of the NFL." Never ever did I think I would be writing a blog with a very similar title, the only difference- my focus this time is on college football, not the pros. I am a die hard football fan. I live for college football Saturdays and professional football Sundays. I avidly cheer for my alma mater- the Auburn Tigers and my best friend's team- the Troy Trojans, and I am a proud member of "Who Dat" nation. Media outlets have long discussed the negative image that is often portrayed of professional athletes; after all, many of them make headlines for their unbecoming and illegal activities. Sadly, as of lately, this outbreak of bad behavior has become increasingly prominent among college athletes- I guess they just want to get an early start.
Seriously, you can not turn on the television or read ESPN.com without hearing about a college athlete (or administrator) that has had a run in with the law. College athletes are not only causing chaos because of arrest but also for their dealings with agents and breaking of NCAA regulations. My questions is- how hard is it to go to school (that is being paid for by someone else), play football, and keep your nose clean for four years? Apparently, almost impossible in this day and age.
We live in a society that glorifies athletes on all levels, especially in the South. Over the weekend, eleven Notre Dame athletes were arrested for underage drinking. UNDERAGE DRINKING?!? Yes, it is a crime; however, obviously the culture in South Bend, Indiana, differs greatly from the culture in Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Gainseville, Athens, Knoxville, or pretty much any southern college football town. I can not imagine the police in a SEC town taking a player to jail for underage drinking at a party; they might take them to their coach, which would result in huge punishment as well. Drunk driving, disorderly conduct, sexual harassment, assault, and drug related charges do land you in the big house.
Even with the more lax attitude that exists around the Southeast, the SEC continues to lead the pack as far as bad behavior is concerned. Georgia has had seven players arrested this year. More importantly, Georgia's athletic director Damon Evans was arrested for drinking and driving in Atlanta. So, all in all, Georgia has lost their AD and four football players since the beginning of spring practice. Arkansas has had a player arrested. Tennessee, well, what can be said about the Volunteers. Google "college football players arrested" and over half the images you find feature the Tennessee Volunteers. I am glad their dominant color is orange. It goes well with the ongoing theme of their program- jailbirds.
As I previously noted, the SEC is not the only conference or set of teams that has had its share of legal trouble. Of course, Notre Dame had its share of problems this past weekend. Three Southern Miss players were arrested a week and a half ago for disorderly conduct. Among these arrests was star wide receiver DeAndre Brown, one of the top ranked receivers in the country. Every week, it's a new name, a new charge, and a similar headline.
I could not write a blog about the legal problems plaguing college athletes without mentioning Troy University. I own more cardinal and black shirts than I do orange and blue ones, and a Troy "T" sticker is on my back window; yet, if you commit any crime short of murder, you can play football at Troy University. It has become a running joke among my family and friends- anytime we see an athlete that has been dismissed from another program, we wonder how long it will be before Coach Blakeney has them touring Troy. Without a doubt, their most infamous player to date is former Oklahoma wide receiver Josh Jarboe. Jarboe proves anyone is welcome at Troy, no criminal background check needed.
Florida has a former player under investigation by the NCAA- Maurkice Pouncey is a NFL player now, so what does he really care? His actions could cost Florida their Sugar Bowl victory, but oh well... he got his money and his professional career. North Carolina and South Carolina both have players being investigated for improper contact with an agent. All of this follows the thorough investigation of USC and Reggie Bush. Sometimes all the glory goes too their heads and they look to far into the future- they only see dollar signs, not what matters at the moment.
The point of this blog is to make a statement. College athletes basically need full-time babysitters, stringent curfews, and should be required to live in closely guarded on-campus dorms. Even if colleges and coaches began to enforce these requirements, some athlete somewhere would still find a way to get himself in trouble. I guess I will never understand the mentality of a male college athlete. However, I do know that it is time for all of them to grow up, become role models for younger boys, and stay out of trouble. If college football players focused on studying and playing the game as much as they focus on girls and partying, every school in this country would be a powerhouse with which to be reckoned.
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