I am fuming right now. This has nothing to do with any wager, but rather with an incident that took place at the conclusion of the Vanderbilt/Tennessee rivalry battle, won by the Commodores.
Here’s what happened. In the waning seconds of the game, Vandy freshman Wade Baldwin IV did some taunting. This is apparently not the first time it’s happened, and when one of the Tennessee assistants let Kevin Stallings know about it, the Commodores head coach took swift action.
Stallings immediately pulled Baldwin out of the handshake line and really went after him verbally, at one point yelling, “I’m going to f—ing kill you.”
Hers’s what I’m angry about. Stallings is now having to apologize for yelling at his own player and including an expletive in the process. I cannot stress how strongly I disagree with Stallings having to say he’s sorry and that he needs to learn from this incident.
As far as I’m concerned, Stallings handled the deal just right. First off, Baldwin was the one who was out of line. He displayed poor sportsmanship and again, this is evidently not the first time that’s happened. Secondly, I have zero problem with the coach really letting Baldwin have it verbally. This isn’t some little kid who might be traumatized by an authority figure yelling nasty things at him. Baldwin is nearly 19, and I can guarantee he’s heard a lot worse.
Stallings did nothing physical to Baldwin. He simply went after him verbally in no uncertain terms, and there is no question the player had it coming. Maybe this time the lesson will sink in.
I have a real big problem with this Age of Apology we now live in. It’s ridiculous. Everyone is always saying “I’m sorry” about the slightest thing when it’s not necessary, or when it’s something of substance and a mea culpa simply isn’t enough. It all therefore becomes hollow and pointless.
Personally, I’d like to see Kevin Stallings say that he’s sorry for saying he’s sorry. That’s because he had nothing to be sorry about in the first place.