For the first time in a while, the sports media are somewhat abuzz with talk of the Michigan Wolverines. Of course, I’d prefer them to discuss anything other than the potential punishment of a player, but such is life.
So why is everyone talking about how stiffly Kevin Grady is going to be punished? Because nobody knows exactly how severe the potential punishment will be. Grady is the first player to have a (public) misstep since Rodriguez took the helm in Schembechler Hall, and with such model citizens as Adam Jones and Chris Henry on his resume under the “former players” heading, there is a certain curiosity about what he will do to Grady, morbid though it may be.
The proposals range from doing nothing (as Ohio State fans think will happen, for some reason), to kicking Grady off the team. Jeff Chaney, a columnist for the Grand Rapids Press, said today on the radio that he thinks the latter is the most appropriate and likely outcome. Naturally, I disagree.
The logic Chaney followed was this: Grady is a third-teamer, and therefore must serve as an example to the rest of the team. Of course, this doesn’t take into account that making an example is widely thought of as a terrible idea. Nor does Chaney realize the modus operandi of the Rich Rodriguez staff. Just as upperclassmen and projected starters were not cut any slack in the training room, why should Grady’s status as a non-starter (which Chaney infers, rather than actually knowing) mean that he has less leeway with the coaches?
In rodriguez’s world, that isn’t how it happens. The most likely scenario is that Grady is punished during the summer, and possibly suspended for a game or two in the fall.
Posted under Coaching
Tags: big trouble, Football, kevin grady, rich rodriguez
Having some experience in this area, I can tell you that this kid is, and will go through hell as it is because of the choice he made, I would expect, even if UM does nothing. To take the public humiliation that he already is dealing with, and then boot him off the team?? what message does that send? Screw up and we throw you under the bus? How about making him Barwis’ personal punching bag for the summer, run the Big House steps 50 times to remember why it is called the Big House. But potentially ruin his life. Foolish. And if I was a parent of an incoming recruit, I would have doubts about the programs willingness to help ‘shape’ these boys into men if that type of ‘Just to prove a point’ punishment was handed down. But what do I know?.
I agree, this is a young man that made a serious mistake in judgement. He was very lucky not to have harmed himself or others. Lets first make sure he gets counseling needed. As for any punishment, let the court make that decision. Let the coach handle any other punishment, inside the program.
Agree, what is served by preventing a kid from doing what he does best after one transgression?
Of course, he isn’t a kid with no support system, like some other D-I athletes may be, but still, it is counterproductive to establish a zero tolerance policy.
As you know, my first reaction was to kick him off the team. But after I had time to think about it, I agree with you. He should be punished inside and outside the team. I expect he will see a lot of bench time in the first three games. It’s just a shame that he made this choice after dealing with that ACL for a year just very poor judgement.
This may be a first offense, but it can’t count as one. Anyone who can function with a .28 BAL has had a lot of practice doing this. for a male of about 175 pounds, .28 works out to 14 more drinks than hours it took to drink them. For example, if he was drinking for 5 hours, than it took 19 drinks to get his BAL to 028.
Anyone who drinks enough to develop that much of a tolerance has to have a serious substance abuse problem.
I would put him on personal leave this year and put him into serious rehab. If he refuses, I would kick him off the team. We may think of him as a football player, but a human being’s future is at stake here.
Another thing to consider is that any elite athlete who abuses any substance that badly and chronically will not be an elite athlete for long. His body will break down a lot faster than a non-abuser and will take longer to heal.
Worse yet, if he is allowed to play while having this bad of a substance abuse problem, diminished reflexes could result in a crippling injury.
Grady doesn’t need to be worshipped, nor does he need to be reviled, nor does he need to be an example of RR’s ability to discipline his players. What he needs the most is help. I hope UM fulfills their responsibility to this young man and his parents and gets him that help.