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NCAA punishment- Is it fair?

The University of Southern California has been viewed as football powerhouse for years. The football program has recently been under a 4-year investigation for violating NCAA rules.  While still a student at USC, star player Reggie Bush is said to have received many gifts from sports agents including a house, and a new suit for the Heisman ceremony. NCAA rules specifically state

            “Under NCAA Bylaw 12.3, a student-athlete (any individual who currently participates in or who may be eligible in the future to participate in intercollegiate sport) may not agree verbally or in writing to be represented by an athlete agent in the present or in the future for the purpose of marketing the student-athlete's ability or reputation. If the student-athlete enters into such an agreement, the student-athlete is ineligible for intercollegiate competition. Also, a student-athlete may not accept transportation or other benefits from an athlete agent. This prohibition applies to the student-athlete and his or her relatives or friends.”  

The NCAA ruled that Reggie Bush violated these rules and found him to be ineligible starting in 2004. According to ESPN, the “penalties include the loss of 30 football scholarships over 3 years and 14 victories in games in which Bush played.” The Heisman Committee may also have to do an investigation of its 2005 winner.  

NCAA has many rules for students and agents to abide by and I believe there should be a punishment when broken. However, stripping the program of scholarships, victories and a national title seem unfair to everyone else involved in the program. After this story, the NCAA really paid attention and narrowed in on many different rules being broken.

This story is a BIG deal in the college world. Schools and athletes have to tread carefully to make sure they are following EVERY NCCA rule. No program wants to go through what USC is going through. USC has been banned from bowl games for 2 years, will be under probation for 4 year and has lost many scholarships.

There are many different viewpoints on this situation. Some feel Reggie Bush did nothing wrong, others feel it was USC’s duty to protect its student athlete. Personally I think the punishment is excessive and very over the top. There will be students suffering for this mistake for years. They had NOTHING to do with it!!

Other football programs need to take this has a sign; the NCAA does NOT play when it comes to rules. If the program breaks the rules they will have to pay for it. Coaches, students, athletes and fans have to suffer for the mistake of 1 player. Will other players learn? Judging from the Tyrell Pryor situation, the answer is no. College athletes need to learn that NCAA rules are there for their protection. When broken, everything can be taken away in an instant. What is more important, a gift here and there or reputation? Think before you act

Negotiating!

Name- Deshon Lawrence     Title- Graduate Assistant Clark Atlanta Football

Deshon Lawrence played college football as a Corner Back at Western Michigan University. 

 As a freshman in 2007 he redshirted. In the 2008 season he played 11 games, had his first career reception (8 yards), and played in the Texas Bowl. The first game of the 2009 season was against the University of Michigan in the "Big House". Lawrence got his first interception which gave the team a lot of momentum. (Michigan won the game in the end) He played all 12 games with 3 starts. 

In the Spring of 2010 trainers discovered a neck injury that ended his playing career. Hearing that news was devastating for him and everyone involved. Instead of giving up, Lawrence negotiated with himself and came to the conclusion that although he will not be able to play again, his passion for football was still there. He began helping the coaching staff for the 2010 season. Now he is the Graduate Assistant for the Clark Atlanta University Football Team. 

     

   How does negotiating help with Coaching at the college level?

        Even though the students and coaches are older and more experienced, they still want things to go their way. With the players, it gives them a sense of "ownership" over their body, and the plays. When people think things are their idea they tend to execute better. On the other hand with coaching, its do what I say!

What do you do when the negotiations seem to go bad?

      Ha! When negotiations seem to go bad, people start running. Seriously, I try to motivate my players and get them to realize, I only want what is best for them and the team. We all have to put our individual thoughts aside and think about the TEAM.

What is your favorite part of negotiations?

      My favorite part of negotiating is coming up with new ideas collectively. Since we are all on the same side, the same common goal, WINNING the game. It is a lot different coming from the player aspect to the coaching aspect. As a player my favorite part was ending the negotiating!! 

Any negotiation advice for rookie coaches or players?

      Do not be afraid to make suggestions, stand your ground, and be open and willing to listen. A great player listens to his coach and a great coach listens to his players. We all have to be able to work together.

  

       As a friend, the 2010 season was VERY difficult to sit through. Knowing how bad he wanted to be on the field killed me inside. I am very proud of him for deciding to go the coaching route and cannot wait to see everything he will accomplish!! GO BRONCOS!!! And now GO PANTHERS!!

What about us?

Aspiring athletes, free agents, and underrated athletes have had a rough time trying to enter the NFL. The lockout has made it difficult for them to participate in team workouts, tryouts and meetings. This has made it easier for Arena Football League (AFL), Untied Football League (UFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL), to gain more prospective athletes. There are more options, but these are the main 3 behind the NFL.

What are aspiring players supposed to do? Most of them have dreamed of being in the NFL since they were children. Two such athletes are Brandon Summers and Antoine Carr. Both have played basketball as well, but found their true talent to be in football.

Brandon Summers began playing football at the age of 5 and hasn’t stopped. As a freshman at Southfield High School, he played varsity football. As quarterback he took the team to the championship. He then played at the University of Toledo but due to coaching issues, he transferred to Youngstown State University. In the 2009 season at YSU he rushed for 66 yards and threw for 2329 yards. The 2009 season was one injury for Summers; thumb and concussion.

 

Antoine Carr played football and basketball at Pontiac Central High School. He then went on to play wide receiver for Northwood University. While at Northwood, Carr he played from 2005-2009. He best season was in 2008 with 5 touchdowns. That season was cut short due to a broken leg in the sixth week of the season. The 2009 season was touch due to that injury and not wanting to cause harm to it. He also broke his thumb in the 1^st game of the season.

Reading these stats, one might not believe these players are any good.  While stats don’t lie, I see potential in both of these guys. Maybe playing in the AFL, UFL or CFL would be a good start for them. They could really hone in on their skills and excel to be ready for the NFL.

There are plenty of players like Summers and Carr in this country, who are confused. They don’t realize that the NFL is not the only choice. More people need to understand their options and maximize on opportunities. I can guarantee if given the right opportunites, Brandon Summers and Antoine Carr will be successful!

 Sources- Youngstown State University, Northwood University

The Draft

As we all know April 28-30, was the 2011 NFL Draft. This was a very exciting yet controversial draft, due to the lockout (which was lifted right before the draft and put back in place right after the draft).  Contracts are NOT in place yet and the rookies do not know how much money they will be receiving.  All 32 NFL teams will be shelling out a lot of money when contracts are signed. WE WILL HAVE AN NFL SEASON.

In the 2010 draft the number one draft pick was by the St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB from Oklahoma. Before the 2010 season, he signed a 6-year, $78 million deal, with $50 million guaranteed. This contract has a maximum value of $86 million. Bradford signed the largest contract EVER for a rookie. He also has an endorsement with Axe.

The second pick in the 2010 draft was by the Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, Defense Tackle from Nebraska. Suh signed a $68 million contract with $40 million guaranteed for 5 years. He also has money coming from his endorsement deals with Nike and Chrysler.

Looking back at these numbers, one can only speculate what the number one and two draft picks will receive this year.

“With the number one pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton, QB Auburn.”  Cam Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a 14-0 season winning the BCS championship.  He is also the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner. Before the draft Newton signed a VERY nice contract with Under Armour (terms undisclosed). Will Cam sign a contract worth more than Sam Bradford? We will soon see.

Von Miller, linebacker from Texas A&M was selected by the Denver Broncos as the second overall draft pick. He has signed an endorsement deal with Adidas.  Will he make more then Suh? We will soon see.

Just in case you missed the draft here are the top 10 picks…..

1.     Cam Newton- Panthers

2.     Von Miller- Broncos

3.     Marcell Dareus- Bills

4.     A.J. Green- Bengals

5.     Patrick Peterson- Cardinals

6.     Julio Jones- Falcons

7.     Aldon Smith- 49ers

8.     Jake Locker- Titans

9.     Tyron Smith- Cowboys

10. Blaine Gabbert- Jaguars
The rest of the draft can be found at http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/tracker#dt-by-round-input:1

 The Detroit Lions had an AMAZING draft acquiring Nick Fairley 13th pick, Titus Young 44th pick, Mikel Leshoure  57th pick, Douglass Hogue 157th pick,  and Johnny Culbreath 209th pick. GO LIONS 

Sources: ESPN, NFL.com

MAN UP

Tony Porter has a speech on TED named “ A Call to Men”.  In it he discusses how men are taught at a young age to not show emotion, be dominating and to abuse and degrade women.  He told personal stories to relate to the topic. Watching him speak, you could tell he was not making it up, and really had a very strong feeling about the subject.

This made me think. What is it that we as a society are teaching our young boys? Why is it ok for girls to cry and not boys? The answer is in no way simple. From a very young age boys are taught to “man up” and not show emotion. Emotion is looked at as a weakness, and boys aren’t supposed to be weak. As a child how do you know that? The while family is usually intricate in instilling this value.  We inadvertently stop a young boy from crying and make him talk to us like a “man”. When a young girl cries, we embrace her and encourage emotion. How does this affect a young boy witnessing?

Boys grow up thinking women are the weaker of the sexes, and only little girls show emotion. Boys are bullied, tormented and made fun of for showing any type of emotion. They are then compared to girls, and as Tony Porter said it destroys boys.  Being compared to a girl, goes deep down into a boy’s soul and hurts.

We as a society need to remember that what we teach and show boys at a young age, they will remember as men. Being in the “man box” will be more important than doing what is right. Tony Porter told a story that will always stick out in my mind.  A young lady who is mentally ill (which he didn’t know at the time) was lying in bed naked, being taken advantage of men and boys. When Tony was offered the opportunity to have sex with her, he didn’t do it,  but went in the room to act like he was.  He realized that there were boys lined up outside to have their way with her. Instead of being a MAN and standing up for himself, he fit right into the man box and did what he thought he was supposed to, he said “it was good” and left.

We MUST teach our children the difference between RIGHT and WRONG and stop focusing so much on losing manhood for doing what is right.  Listening to this speech was a great decision. He was very passionate and made you want to listen.

My question to men is simple…Will you MAN UP and teach children the RIGHT way, or keep teaching boys they have to fit into a “man box”???