Tony's Takes
By Tony George
In the modern era of social media, premeditated media speculation which somehow turns into temporary fact and then swept away when not, and viral internet stories and videos, many people whom fall victim to this are either innocent or painted in bad light in a weak moment on someones cell phone camera, or TMZ releasing a baseless story that grabs headlines and a million hits for their website (ad revenue) before they retract it. But the bottom line is if you want to get away with something that is against the rules, or a common moral code of conduct, you better think again, because everyone is watching and taddle telling, just ask Ray Rice. As the famous line goes from Andy Garcia is Oceans 11, “Someone is always watching”.
The temptations of the world and many who scheme to offer easy and quiet money to college kids whom are in the limelight, cannot be policed by coaches and campus officials 24 hours a day, and recently Todd Gurley of the Georgia Bulldogs fell victim to this and lost his season as the nations premier running back, a shot at the Heisman Trophy which he was a front runner for, and his reputation, and a Universities hope at a division title in the SEC is no doubt in flux at the moment. A selfish act that will affect his teammates and fans of the school he will regret later in life.
While Todd Gurley will go on to make millions in the NFL, but there is no doubt this will leave a scar on this young man, and it will affect the outcome of the season for the Georgia Bulldogs, and the fans of the Bulldogs as well. At least the University of Georgia had the courage and class to suspend him with no planned return to the program for a violation of NCAA rules, and while it was supposedly $400 to sign a couple hundred items, and bear in mind he makes millions and millions of dollars for the university with his showcase talents, he is not allowed to take any money for any reason because of his affiliation with the university. I applaud this school and feel sorry for a young man wanting a pair of Beat Headphones and a pizza in the dorm room, perhaps a few new shirts or pair of tennis shoes (that is my speculation) who took this money and now is paying the price.
The same cannot be said for the sideshow circus act that is the Jameis Winston at Florida State. While you should never be assumed guilty without a confession or conviction, his recent body of work is quite compelling for someone who is not a rabid Seminole fan or associated with the program from the outside looking in. Lets breakdown the past 15 months issues
- Issues with a BB Gun last Summer
- A Rape Charge , cloudy issues, and then a dismissal
- Shoplifting Crab Legs
- Suspended a game for a Sexually Charged Public Statement at the student union
- After suspension shows up on the field for suspended game in full pads – sent to locker room to change, allowed on sidelines
- Rape case re-opened / University board hearing on the case pending in October, still playing
- Reported to have signed over 900 items with the same outfit Todd Gurley did, denies he signed anything, or took money. All items on sale on E Bay and authenticated. Again, still playing against #5 Notre Dame on Saturday.
JUST AN FYI: Where there is smoke there is Fire! It does not take a rocket scientist to see a pattern here.
Jimbo Fisher is living in denial if he cannot see the forest because of all trees on his star athlete’s pattern of behavior, and this program has a long history or turning the other way and playing down the significance of what is going on with a player who clearly thinks he is above the rules and law. This sense of self entitlement of Mr. Winston seems to have, is ruining this schools reputation, Jimbo Fishers reputation, and of course the Florida State athletic program and it’s upper brass for not handing down a suspension of Heisman Trophy Winner Winston, because their football program apparently is more important than the schools overall reputation, and being ranked #1 supersedes everything else.
No offense to FSU fans, there is a trail of smoke here that WILL eventually lead to a fire, and the football program is going to a pay a huge price for this, forfeit games he played in, and ruin the dreams of 100+ players in the program who did play by the rules, as well as the loyal fans who will have a huge letdown once the smoke clears. Jameis Winston, time to leave, go to the NFL and make your millions, and please mature and grow up somewhere along the way.
This is bad for college football and the reputation of a proud University with a large and loyal fan base. There is NO way with 900+ signed items out there for sale, they he did not sit down and sign them, regardless of whether he took any money which would seem likely for that volume of signatures, but he is on the record of telling coaches he signed nothing. As the famous ESPN segment goes, Come on Man!
It is an embarrassment this kid is still uniform. Just my Take!
Note: I write for Various outlets and not all of my content is gaming related. Thought I would share an opinion piece with the forum.