University of Spoiled College athletes
He allegedly said "I own the law" after allegedly punching another party-goer twice before fleeing a Halloween party and now freshman linebacker Rey Maualuga appears to have joined the very exclusive club of college athletes who are so valuable as to be above the law as long as their team is winning. He plays for the University of Southern California Trojans, who are ranked #1 in most polls and if they remain undefeated, will play for the National Championship in the Rose Bowl. Nothing wrong with this, except that they have yet to do anything to Maualuga about his having been arrested. Now he was demoted to the scout team or so it was announced, but he said he knew nothing of any punishment and in the Saturday that followed his arrest, he played in the second half of the USC game against Stanford. Why bother announcing that he was demoted if the demotion was only until they needed to bring Maualuga in. Then all of a sudden he wasn't demoted anymore, he was in the game.
Trojan Head Coach Pete Carroll says "He has been punished, he is being punished, there are things he has to do for this program through next year," (from a L.A. Times column by Bill Plaschke, 11/13/05). Oh really? How was he punished, Coach? How is he being punished? His arraignment isn't scheduled until November 22nd, and you've punished him already? Is that punishment for merely having been arrested, or have you already tried, convicted and punished him and whatever happens in the criminal justice system will have no impact on his career on the field for the Trojans?
There is something to be said for privacy and it should be noted that Maualuga is going through a difficult period. That doesn't excuse him from throwing punches if he in fact did so, and the pressure of a winning streak and a #1 ranking and shot at a BCS Bowl bid doesn't excuse letting him off without punishment if he is deserving of it. If this was being handled properly and was capable of withstanding scrutiny, then the punishment would be public and we would know what it is. We don't. Therefore, we can't help but suspect that something is rotten in the scheme of things and the Trojan football program is hiding something. If players are supposed to be role models as Carroll has said, then they should be held to account for their actions.
Trojan Head Coach Pete Carroll says "He has been punished, he is being punished, there are things he has to do for this program through next year," (from a L.A. Times column by Bill Plaschke, 11/13/05). Oh really? How was he punished, Coach? How is he being punished? His arraignment isn't scheduled until November 22nd, and you've punished him already? Is that punishment for merely having been arrested, or have you already tried, convicted and punished him and whatever happens in the criminal justice system will have no impact on his career on the field for the Trojans?
There is something to be said for privacy and it should be noted that Maualuga is going through a difficult period. That doesn't excuse him from throwing punches if he in fact did so, and the pressure of a winning streak and a #1 ranking and shot at a BCS Bowl bid doesn't excuse letting him off without punishment if he is deserving of it. If this was being handled properly and was capable of withstanding scrutiny, then the punishment would be public and we would know what it is. We don't. Therefore, we can't help but suspect that something is rotten in the scheme of things and the Trojan football program is hiding something. If players are supposed to be role models as Carroll has said, then they should be held to account for their actions.
posted by me at 6:36 AM
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