National signing day is the time when a NCAA football program seals its future. With such an exciting and important time just around the corner, it is easy to get caught up in the stats and accolades of potential student athletes.
This guy runs a four-second 40-yard dash. This other guy is a Parade All American. Guy No. 3 has accomplished both.
This is the gist of conversations amongst fans, boosters and coaches as signing day creeps closer.
While all those things are vital to the success of a program, one thing ranks above an athlete’s speed and strength. It is something that isn’t easily assessed but something that, if lacking, can bring about the demise of a program and a young man.
The quality I am talking about is integrity. Integrity is defined by Merriam-Webster online dictionary as a strict adherence to a code of especially morale or artistic values.
Simply put, integrity is the set of internal checks and balances that prevents a person from doing something harmful to themselves or the people around them.
It is easy to see that integrity is lacking from several of today’s student-athletes. Just look at the ESPN.com headlines over the past couple of weeks.
Michigan’s point guard Daniel Horton was suspended from his team following an arrest in a domestic violence case. Horton allegedly choked his girlfriend. Pittsburgh lost starting point guard Yuri Demetris after he was arrested for entering his former girlfriend’s apartment twice, both times through a bedroom window, and hitting her with a closed fist the second time. Demetris faces burglary and simple assault charges in the case.
A bit closer to home, Memphis guard Jeremy Hunt served a two game suspension after being arrested on misdemeanor assault charges in connection with a complaint filed by his former girlfriend.
Even though all these cases concern basketball players, football players are not immune to incident with the police.
Six South Carolina football players have now been charged with stealing nearly $11,000 worth of computer and video equipment from Williams-Brice Stadium.
Former tight end Brian Brownlee is the latest charged in the Nov. 22 theft. The other five charged are offensive lineman Woodly Telfort, quarterbacks Syvelle Newton and Dondrial Pinkins, defensive lineman Freddy Saint-Preux and safety Rodriques Wilson.
Mississippi State offensive lineman Richard Burch was arrested Monday on the charge of selling marijuana. The arrest stemmed from an investigation that began in October. Burch was the only Mississippi State player involved in the investigation. He has been suspended for “violating team and university policies.”
These are just a few of the cases involving student athletes over the past academic year. While the cases run the gamut from drug charges to assault to theft, there is one similarity. All the student-athletes in question lack integrity. The little voice in their head, sometimes called a conscience, took a vacation.
Not only does integrity keep a person out of a police cruiser. It also contributes to work ethic and intensity. Both of those qualities are imperative to the success of a program.
Just look at Tom Brady. The two time Super Bowl MVP was an after thought. Taken in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, Brady was supposed to be a good backup. On February 6 he will play in his third Super Bowl. Most of his success can be attributed to hard work. Extra time watching film and perfecting routes coupled with an intensity matched by almost no one have led to this underdogs triumph.
When recruiting prep athletes it is vital that coaches make sure each prospect has a set of values firmly in place before inviting them to join their program. No matter how stellar the stats or abundant the skills, an athlete can not be effective if he’s sitting on the sideline because of legal troubles.
from drug charges to assault to theft, there is one similarity. All the student-athletes in question lack integrity. The little voice in their head, sometimes called a conscience, took a vacation.
Not only does integrity keep a person out of a police cruiser. It also contributes to work ethic and intensity. Both of those qualities are imperative to the success of a program.
Just look at Tom Brady. The two time Super Bowl MVP was an after thought. Taken in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, Brady was supposed to be a good backup. On February 6 he will play in his third Super Bowl. Most of his success can be attributed to hard work. Extra time watching film and perfecting routes coupled with an intensity matched by almost no one have led to this underdogs triumph.
When recruiting prep athletes it is vital that coaches make sure each prospect has a set of values firmly in place before inviting them to join their program. No matter how stellar the stats or abundant the skills, an athlete can not be effective if he’s sitting on the sideline because of legal troubles.
Friday Morning Rant is a rotating column among all of The Reflector sports writers.
Jennifer Edwards can be reached at [email protected].