Sad to see this stuff making its way into HS

I'm like, `Damn, I'm glad I'm Chris Rainey. It's real nice to be me.' ''


And I will bet he still thinks it's cool to be him too.

Has he committed to to Miami yet??

That is the kind of thing that they do at the "U"....

Sad again that this is beginning to happen. Alot harder for kids to say no when they have so little. Need to educate athletes especially the elite ones younger so these things stop happening.

You know what where is the parents or the authority figures at. Don't put all the weight on the kid because that's all he is . With all the directions that he is probably being pulled in ,he seems to lack some positive direction. Not to mention what the rules are.

And someone is setting him up to fail. Most young guys have trouble dealing with all the hype that surrounds being a big time player like that anyway , and need direction. So if all he has is TV ESPN staring Terrell Owens he's right on track don't you think?

Ultimately we're all responsible for our own choices in life. There are MANY athletes who grew up in similar situations who DON'T exhibit this behaviour... but have all the 'excuses' to do so.

That 'kid' is what, almost 18 now? He ain't a 'kid' any longer... he's a young adult... and responsible for his own behaviour and actions.

Yes... he may not have had the best guidance... but he still makes his own choices. If the parents didn't support the behaviour... who do we blame next - TO? Rap?

I really feel that it is VERY easy to always place blame someplace else - but it is alot harder to shoulder PERSONAL responsibility.

When we make people personally responsible for their choices in life - and accept the consequences without excuse - we truly empower young athletes to become men and succeed in life.

That SOUNDS all well and good...problem is, in this kid's case, that has not happened. My guess is that this kid has been told as soon as he started running with a football that he could do no wrong and that the world was his playground.

How can you expect a kid, in those circumstances, to know right from wrong? When every adult in your life has looked the other way or even encouraged antisocial behavior because they look at you as a meal ticket rather than as a immature child in a man's body, how can you expect a kid to make the "right" choice?

Now, this kid MAY pay the price for his trangressions, but, more likely than not, he won't. Chances are very good that this kid will be rewarded with a college scholarship and will continue to live a charmed life.

How is the lesson learned?

Bingo.

Hopefully he learns his lesson this time around; it'd be a shame to see this kid piss away a free college education because he's doing the same crap in college.

I also have a hard time believing that his coaches, teachers, parents, school administraters, teammates, etc, etc, didn't know that something untoward was going on. According to the article, this kid didn't exactly try and hide the fact that he was receiving all of this largesse and "generosity".

I agree 2 points, though A) If you are at a school where everyone has money no way of telling where there getting it from B) if the area is inner-city, but all the kids have it, no way to tell where they are all getting it from.

Another example of South Florida's finest. The MVP for 6-A Miami Northwestern was arrested earlier in the week for Sexual Battery on a 14 year old. Gets released and plays in State Championship game

Quote from the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel - "Northwestern's standout running back, Antwain Easterling, who was arrested on Thursday on charges of lewd and lascivious battery, was cleared to play by the school's principal. Easterling ran for a game-high 157 yards on 21 carries with one touchdown. "

I'm all for innocent until proven guilty but this stuff is crazy.

Please keep in mind, I am in Canada and am coming from an entirely different background and environment when it comes to football, or even most sports.

That being said, I am aware of NCAA rules regarding maintaining amateur status, etc. but have to ask one question, why? In particular what is wrong with this kid taking some things people are willing to give him, even if it is just because he plays some HS football? I understand it goes against the rules but what is the basis for these rules that makes them "universally acceptable"?

Part of the reason why all this seems so surprising to me is this, what are the odds this kid will ever make any money off football? As coaches and/or administrators we all know how few will really go somewhere with their respective sport which is why we have to encourage them towards academics, etc. but if during their time in their sport, in that spotlight, someone for whatever reason feels they would like to give the kid a little something where is the harm?

I mean does anyone else see the irony that others are making money off the attributes/time/commitment of these kids but in turn deny them any extras that may help them out in life, especially those kids from impoverished homes.

Finally, does anyone else find it weird that kids playing sports has become such big business? (That may be a topic for another thread)