Things aren't getting any better for the Georgia Bulldogs this week. Not long after the arrest and resignation of A.D. Damon Evans, two Bulldog players have been arrested on alcohol-related charges. This on the heels of the arrest of Tennessee Volunteers players who took part in a bar-room brawl in Knoxville, at least one of whom has been dismissed from the team.
It hardly needs to be said that there are two major issues here, which are not completely related. First of all, these two teams will be severely hampered by the loss of these athletes on the field. Tavarres King, receiver for the Bulldogs, has shown some ability in the preseason and Dontavius Jackson would be necessary for depth at the running back position. And this Tennessee Volunteers thing is going to significantly hurt their defense, with Darren Myles (a cornerback) gone and Marlon Walls (defensive line) and Greg King (linebacker) still waiting on their verdicts. So you have two teams in the SEC East, one which expects to make a run and the other trying to rebuild, who are now having to find new people who can contribute immediately.
Second of all, there is a more important issue of character. The purpose of this blog is not to pass judgment or to comment on social issues. However, we cannot ignore the fact that this kind of thing has been happening more and more frequently throughout college football. There is no doubt that young student-athletes must learn from their own mistakes and be given the freedom to live the college life. But what has happened to the concept that football is a tool that teaches life skills and that character is an important part of life? It is one thing to allow students to party and enjoy themselves, it is quite another to encourage them to believe that there are no consequences to their actions and to living like thugs. The "glamorous life" is a privelege, not a right. So, I say, stop acting like kids and start acting like young men...and let's play football.
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