rexvol
The Minister of Defense
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2006
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KNOXVILLE Thug U.?
Its a description Ive heard more than once the last few years when referring to Tennessees football program.
Even for those who see everything through orange spectacles, they would have to agree that there has been some thuggish behavior on the Hill over the last few year.
But Thug U.? Thats going a bit far.
Childish U.? Immature U.? Just Plain Dumb U.? Screw The Police U.?
Now, thats more like it, because a large chunk of off-the-field incidents involving the Vols the last few years have been senseless, often times alcohol-induced situations that could have been easily avoided if there was a genuine fear among the players that they were going to be suspended or even dismissed if they embarrassed the university.
One of the largest criticisms I can offer of Phillip Fulmer is that he gives too many players too many chances. Maybe thats the father coming out in him. Maybe thats the football coach who doesnt want to lose key players coming out in him.
But every time another UT player gets arrested, I go back to a conversation I had with James Banks at his apartment the day after he was dismissed from the team after being given countless chances.
Banks sat there in bewilderment, looked at me and said, I just never thought Id get kicked off the team.
Sure, Fulmer has sent some good players packing in the past, some players that were instantly scooped up by other top programs.
Onterrio Smith, Lynn McGruder, Montrell Jones and Brent Schaeffer all come to mind.
It should be noted, though, that some of those decisions went above Fulmers head and involved violation of the UT athletic departments drug policy.
As an alumnus of the university (not to mention Antonios, Ivys, Gabbys and the Roman Room), Im not so naive to think that college students arent going to party and engage in things we all regret and most of us now deny. As Patrick Palmer, Pat Weis, Rusty Rathburn, Joey Elwood, Craig Wentz, Anthony Richardson, Russ Spivey and Mark Griffin can all attest, I did my time on the Cumberland Avenue strip.
So I think most rational people arent appalled when a few guys get arrested for disorderly conduct.
But when a few becomes 21 over nearly a three-year period, then it becomes downright embarrassing.
In doing the stand-up thing and facing the media earlier this week, Arian Foster came across as both sincere and candid, and yet, somewhat oblivious to the standard a college athlete is held to.
Nobody ever said its far, but athletes are held to a higher standard. Theyre on a full ride and theyre representing their university often times on national television every time they step onto the field.
I think former UT President Joe Johnson said it best.
The athletic department is the front porch of your university. Thats what everybody sees when theyre driving by.
And like it or not, thats not going to change anytime soon.
Chris Low
Its a description Ive heard more than once the last few years when referring to Tennessees football program.
Even for those who see everything through orange spectacles, they would have to agree that there has been some thuggish behavior on the Hill over the last few year.
But Thug U.? Thats going a bit far.
Childish U.? Immature U.? Just Plain Dumb U.? Screw The Police U.?
Now, thats more like it, because a large chunk of off-the-field incidents involving the Vols the last few years have been senseless, often times alcohol-induced situations that could have been easily avoided if there was a genuine fear among the players that they were going to be suspended or even dismissed if they embarrassed the university.
One of the largest criticisms I can offer of Phillip Fulmer is that he gives too many players too many chances. Maybe thats the father coming out in him. Maybe thats the football coach who doesnt want to lose key players coming out in him.
But every time another UT player gets arrested, I go back to a conversation I had with James Banks at his apartment the day after he was dismissed from the team after being given countless chances.
Banks sat there in bewilderment, looked at me and said, I just never thought Id get kicked off the team.
Sure, Fulmer has sent some good players packing in the past, some players that were instantly scooped up by other top programs.
Onterrio Smith, Lynn McGruder, Montrell Jones and Brent Schaeffer all come to mind.
It should be noted, though, that some of those decisions went above Fulmers head and involved violation of the UT athletic departments drug policy.
As an alumnus of the university (not to mention Antonios, Ivys, Gabbys and the Roman Room), Im not so naive to think that college students arent going to party and engage in things we all regret and most of us now deny. As Patrick Palmer, Pat Weis, Rusty Rathburn, Joey Elwood, Craig Wentz, Anthony Richardson, Russ Spivey and Mark Griffin can all attest, I did my time on the Cumberland Avenue strip.
So I think most rational people arent appalled when a few guys get arrested for disorderly conduct.
But when a few becomes 21 over nearly a three-year period, then it becomes downright embarrassing.
In doing the stand-up thing and facing the media earlier this week, Arian Foster came across as both sincere and candid, and yet, somewhat oblivious to the standard a college athlete is held to.
Nobody ever said its far, but athletes are held to a higher standard. Theyre on a full ride and theyre representing their university often times on national television every time they step onto the field.
I think former UT President Joe Johnson said it best.
The athletic department is the front porch of your university. Thats what everybody sees when theyre driving by.
And like it or not, thats not going to change anytime soon.
Chris Low
