Take The Heisman From That Hoe

Ok, so no disrespect to Reggie Bush because I'm sure you read this title and said, "Jarrett is so disrespectful!" I just tried to make a play on words with that song whose hook goes, "Do the heisman on that hoe!" (No I don't know the correct title or who sings it, but neither do you!!!)

Every since this morning I have been itching to respond to the question that Russ Parr placed on the people poll (Should Reggie Busg be stripped of his Heisman?). Listening to the show, the overwhelming senitment by most callers was that since he hadn't taken steroids or done anything to to enhance his play on the field, he should not be stripped of the heisman trophy. I can understand why most people would make that assessment in lieu of the recent transgressions of baseball players, but my problem with this issue stems more from an overall mindset and disconnect.

If you know me, then you know that I was a collegiate athlete. Even if you don't know me I'm sure you could tell by looking. (as i get stopped and asked, "who do you play for?" regularly) Now, I didn't play any place as fancy as USC, but I am happy with my overall experience at Howard University. Since football is on a larger scale at a place like USC, I didn't have to worry about boosters slipping me envelopes full of cash, or someone paying my rent every month. My scholarship, Pell grants, and loans were all I had to rely on. With all that being said, I can't say for sure if I would have indulged in the lavish perks that comes with playing for a perinnial power like USC. What I can say, is that I believe that you make every choice consciously. With those choices come consequences. One of the consequences of taking money as a student athlete, is that you forfeit your amatuer status. Professional athletes are the only athletes that can be paid for sport. Once Reggie decided to indulge, he was no longer a college athlete. Yes, he did amazing (no skittles) things on the field, but he did those things as a professional athlete. I'm sure that someone will make the argument that Reggie isn't the only amatuer athlete to take money, and we can assume that some probably have, but there is no definitive evidence out there agaisnt anyone else. Another argument that I'm sure some of you will make, is that colleges receive millions, if not billions of dollars off of the sweat and pain of these college athletes, so they should get paid. I do agree that it is totally unfair for colleges to make all of this money and not be able to give athletes a penny, but if I remember correctly scholarships pay at least 30k a year. Ask they person working 3 jobs and taking out loans, what's fair? I may be biased because I didn't have to deal with issues like that, but I just feel like todays athletes are way too pampered. Reggie was a year from getting millions in the league, so why couldn't he just wait?

So, if you ask me, yes he should be stripped of his heisman. I'm sure that was apparent by the tone of the text, but there are a bunch of messages that must be sent. 1) You must be responsible for you actions. If Reggie took money, he should just own up to it. I've seen him dodge those questions like he was running back a punt. 2) Rather good or bad, your choices have consequences. Let's think of the message we send other athletes if we allow Reggie to keep his trophy. You can be immoral and unethical with no real consequences. The ramifications would be paramount.

I think one of the bigger problems that I have with this whole issue, is the response from the majority. Everyone was so caught on what he didn't do and what every one else was doing that he was basically being exonerated for his actions. I understand that he could have done something worse, but he broke the rules. I think the response to this issue speaks more to the moral code (or lack thereof) of our society today. If we teach our kids that he or she only have to assume responsibility and accept consequences for his or her actions, only if there was no one that has done something worse, then our society is going to hell in a handbasket. Sport is all about teaching discipline and teamwork, and "I'm Just Sayin'" if we're going to do it right, let's not let the athletes off the hook when they don't display these attributes.