There's a wide variety of felonies and you can't just lump them together saying they can lead productive lives. Guy steals a TV from Wal-Mart that costs over $500, that's a felony. Odds are the person didn't even know that'd be a felony. Armed robbery and burglary, especially many times are crimes that everyone knows is a felony. I'd be more interested in knowing what felonies these people you know have committed that they bounce back from? My guess is it's mostly flagrant non-support, etc. not violent crimes.

 

I hate to tell you that is not true. I work with every type of felon out there and doesnt matter the charge. What matters is the support system. I can give you all types of research that will disprove your thoughts.

 

As for this young man he committed his crime prior to being 18. So the likely hood of him being successful is greater. The fact that he went to college also improves his chances of success. The issue was no one was improving him. I would say they focused on keeping his grades up so he could play. They didnt set him up for success after football.

if the university knows there's an issue prior to recruiting them and it turns out badly, shame on the university.

Is it just me or does it seem like several folks on this thread are living in a bouble:laugh:

Is it just me or does it seem like several folks on this thread are living in a bouble:laugh:

 

not sure about a bouble, but there are too many guys that can play at a high level to risk your program for one guy. Listen to Holtz talk about Randy Moss.....freak athlete but not worth the risk. Some guys claim they want to give guys a second chance who, IMO, just want to win games. I look at FSU as a good example. Lots of guys would have cut Winston lose.

not sure about a bouble, but there are too many guys that can play at a high level to risk your program for one guy. Listen to Holtz talk about Randy Moss.....freak athlete but not worth the risk. Some guys claim they want to give guys a second chance who, IMO, just want to win games. I look at FSU as a good example. Lots of guys would have cut Winston lose.

Also heard Holtz say, It wasnt his decision. Kind of tells me, he understood the situation better than the university at that time.

Is it just me or does it seem like several folks on this thread are living in a bouble:laugh:

 

Let me clarify. You cant help everybody, but if you are in a position to be a difference maker for a youth, then you have to make that effort.

I am not living in a bubble. I see destruction every day. You cant save everyone. Point I making is the University of Lousiville took a chance on a high risk kid and while at UL never was involved in criminal activity. He is arrested 3 years after he has left UL and spent time in the NFL. Someone said Universities shouldnt take risk on High Risk students. My previous points many people that are low risk after their time at the Universities go on to be involved in crime. Someone else said they cant be successful I respectfully disagree. I will agree not everyone will be.

 

With all of this being said the moment we stop firing coaches on wins and losses and only on productive citizens that is when College Coaches will stop chasing high risk kids.

 

Although I doubt ESPN, Nike, FANS and others will ever allow college sports to be based good citizens.

media will always point out that the kid was a former player to make a correlation. My point is that if the kid was trouble before you recruited him you should expect him to be trouble while in the program and be willing to defend your decision. If the kid had no trouble before you recruited him and he turns into a thug, cut him lose or be prepared to defend your decision. If he's a thug after school and never had an issue before or during, it's unfair to hold the university accountable for what came after school.

Im with you on the outside of the bouble Bucket. There are more at risk kids playing sports than ever in todays society. With all of the single parent, no parent, foster situations etc that now exist, it is imperative that we salvage what we can. This is the case of everyday living and not only in the arena of sport. It just so happens that sports are a significant tool in trying to help some kids. I reallize the pressures of winning can blur some folks vision and sometimes mistakes in character judgement can be flawed. It would be nice to think, that you only work with kids that are zero maintenance. If that is the case then you are living in a bouble.

Jimbo Fisher and his type will always take those at risk kids. If I'm the coach, I pass on those guys. Not risking my program or my personal reputation for anyone.

Unfortunately, at the FBS level, with all the money involved, talent trumps character, talent trumps integrity, talent trumps morality. If a coach thinks you can help him keep his job, or get that next promotion, just about anything will be overlooked and mountains will be moved to get you on the playing field. Rape conviction, no problem. Felony theft, no problem. Not going to class, no problem.

 

If you look at just about any FBS roster, you will find 10 -12 kids that are nothing more than talented scum. Meanwhile, the coaching staffs preach family and character while gladly embracing these lids in their programs.