AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 21 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMemo to players: “Know who you are.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My favorite saying from Bill Parcells is: “You are what you are.” His point? In football, it’s not smart to try to be something you’re not. If you are a slow running back, don’t pretend to be Darren McFadden. Take what talent you have and make the most of it.
Today we’re going to introduce a new slogan, just for college athletes: “Know WHO you are.”
If you are football player at a major Division I-A institution, you can’t for one minute think you’re just another Joe College, free to soak up whatever fun and human experience just happens to be in your path. You are not a regular student and if you pretend to be one you’re asking for trouble and it, my friend, will find you.
Some guys out there obviously don’t know who they are:
1. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame: Clausen was the most high profile recruit in the nation last season. He made sure of that by calling a press conference at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, arriving in a stretch limo, and making the announcement. Turns out that Clausen, 19, received a citation on June 23 for “transporting alcohol as a minor.” All he did was sit in a car behind the steering wheel while someone of legal age went into a store to buy alcohol. It’s a stupid law and behind the scenes the Notre Dame people are livid.
But that’s not the point. The point is when you bring that much attention to yourself, everything you do-right or wrong—is magnified. It doesn’t matter if the law is stupid. It’s several days of bad headlines you don’t need. Know who you are.
2. Simeon Castille, Alabama: Simeon’s dad, Jeremiah, was a great football player and is even a better man. Simeon comes from a good family. He knows better. But Simeon was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct at 2 a.m. last Sunday. There is some dispute over whether the charges were warranted.
Doesn’t matter. If you’re a team leader, which Simeon Castille is, you’re asleep-or at least at home—at 2 a.m. during preseason practice. If you’re a team leader, you don’t put yourself in position for bad things to happen. When the focus should be on the rebuilding program at Alabama, here are bad headlines for a player who has a good chance to be All-SEC. Know who you are.
3. Josh Riddell, Mississippi State: Given the fact that Michael Henig, Mississippi State’s starting quarterback, suffered two broken collarbones last season, the backup quarterback should probably be ready to play. But two newspapers have reported that Riddell was suspended indefinitely for driving under the influence of alcohol. Sylvester Croom is a no-nonsense head coach. Mississippi State opens with LSU and chances are the Bulldogs were going to need Riddell. He won’t be ready, even if he’s there. Know who you are.
If the Michael Vick saga teaches young players anything, it should be this: It doesn’t matter how talented you are. A lifetime of work and every dream you’ve ever had can be taken away with one stupid decision.
And it doesn’t have to be a monumentally stupid decision like Vick’s. Once you get labeled as a guy who makes bad decisions, it really doesn’t matter what the facts are. The tag sticks.
Is that fair? Of course it’s not fair. Fair’s got nothing to do with this.
Know who you are.
Comments
By TechGirl
August 21, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Very well said. Too many times people want to say that “these guys are just kids” and “boys will be boys”. It is about time that someone recognizes that these men are role models and that they need to act accordingly.
By Hillbilly
August 21, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
There is a much greater risk of being burned badly when you live under a magnifying glass.
By mahalodawg
August 21, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Yet another snub of Hawai’i by a national media member, it never ends. There will be some severe bell-tolling to bring all of you heathens in line. Miki liki hai miki hine ho.
By Spike
August 21, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Great insight and article, Tony. This is good advice to all young people, even if they are not big time athletes. A bad decision at an early age can lead to a lifetime of regret.
By AFnPC
August 21, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
The sad thing is that this type of garbage makes headlines and lines the wallets of guys like yourself, Barnhart. While I enjoy reading your entries, I do not agree with this one. These guys are kids, plain and simple. They are in the public eye, but they are kids. 18, 19, 20…I can’t imagine if I had news people documenting every screw up I had during those formative years. This stuff shouldn’t even be broadcast. It’s useless information. If these cases were part of a larger, more lengthy, trend of missteps taken by players (a la Chris Henry, Marcus Vick), then I would be a little more interested. Otherwise, WOW…A 19 year old was cited for having someone buy him alcohol…WOW! On days where you have nothing to report or write about, just post a link to thesmokinggun.com so we can read someone elses trash editorial instead of tainting yours.
By goober
August 21, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Mr. Barnhart: Thanks for a well-written piece. You are so right — these guys are NOT just regular citizens. They don’t realize how we elevate them to a level where they’ve never been. More than anything, they must learn the standards are higher, the scrutiny is greater, the brights are lighter, and the rewards are greater. But just like a financial decision, the opportunity for the greater reward comes with a greater risk. Staying out of trouble is not enough — they must learn that they cannot place themselves in a risky position, where the opportunity for trouble to occur is almost certain — like being out at 2:00 am, when only bad things can happen.
Please keep up the moral authority crusade. The more these guys hear it from people like you, the better the chance some of it will sink in — especially since so many of them have never gotten any kind of disciplinary guidance at home. Does a certain soon-to-be-ex-Falcons QB come to mind?
By shane
August 21, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
mahalodawg,are there some players in hi in trouble? not that it matters,too far away to affect the dawgs. back to the point of the article. college and pro players are under a microscope and a lot of them never seem to get it. i love it when a pro player travels with a posse,is seen in all the clubs,partys all night,and the when the stuff hits the fan says he is being “picked on”. well just try leaving the “gangstas” at home,ditch the lemo,forget the pimped out benz,and buy yoursefl a ford. most people won’t know you anyway out of the pads and uniform and you can go anywhere you like. it’s amazing how some of these guys go out of their way to call attention to themselves,then cry about the press.
By joe
August 21, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget about the dozen/half dozen UGA players who got arrested and suspended. Just what they need, more players out with no depth this year. 0-2, 0-2…woof.
By thadawgdude
August 21, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Seems to me that the Clausen’s have been overly arrogent in the past, yet they have yet to live up to their own self proclaimed billing. I remember cocky Casey saying he could spank the dawgs with one arm tied behind his back. I remember being p** drunk by the end of that game cuz I took a shot for every TD Uga scored. Ahh the college years. I wouldn’t do that now, but it sure was fun at the time. Rick seemed to be the most level headed of the bunch. Yes I know this has very little to do with the article, just an anecdote that sticks out in my mind.
By JEB
August 21, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Does this mean that as a Georgia Tech grad I should just accept these Tech folks who participate in Tickle Piles? I don’t think so!!!
By mahalodawg
August 21, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
There are no Warrio’r’s in trouble because they are all d@mn good dawgs! Life in the Island’s is well. Groupie sex and faked drug tests (Stay Alert) aer the order of the day but that is not illegal. Everybody on our team is too busy being awesome to get arrested.
By Erk
August 21, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
I agree Mr. Barnhart. By the way, all the Clausens must be good at drawing attention to themselves. Casey was just an overrated Bart Simpson in orange. Hard to believe Jimmy’s ego is apparently much bigger.
To “joe”, is it a dozen or a half dozen arrestments/suspensions? Make up your mind. Doesn’t matter anyway. We will be 2-0 after the first two…….WOOF.
By BellToller
August 21, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
mahalo is right. too many snubs from the media of a team as loaded as the (unrainbow) Warriors. Listen to the bell Barnhart, it tolls for thee. And Boise St.
By Island Warrior
August 21, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Well prose Toller its all fun and games til a Bell gets Tolled then its just fun Hawai’i style. Mahalos mainlanders
By Trey
August 21, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Give Clausen a break. As the article says, it’s a STUPID law. Plus, the kid is from Cali where this isnt an issue. Just because he’s a high profile frosh, he’s expected to memorize the legal standards of Indiana before he enrolls? Give me a break. These cops were just looking to cause trouble and got lucky. JC did absolutely NOTHING wrong. Example: A father takes his son and one of his son’s buddies fishing. The dad brings a 6-pack to enjoy on the boat. Before they head to the lake, they stop off for bait at a tackle shop, and a cop pulls up and sees the beer. Theyd give a citation to the kid’s friend for being a minor in posession?? How ridiculous.
By Trey
August 21, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Give Clausen a break. As the article says, it’s a STUPID law. Plus, the kid is from Cali where this isnt an issue. Just because he’s a high profile frosh, he’s expected to memorize the legal standards of Indiana before he enrolls? Give me a break. These cops were just looking to cause trouble and got lucky. JC did absolutely NOTHING wrong. Example: A father takes his son and one of his son’s buddies fishing. The dad brings a 6-pack to enjoy on the boat. Before they head to the lake, they stop off for bait at a tackle shop, and a cop pulls up and sees the beer. Theyd give a citation to the kid’s friend for being a minor in posession?? How ridiculous.
By John
August 21, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
Parcells really said “you are what your record says you are”.
Stop misquoting the man!
By John
August 21, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Parcells really said “you are what your record says you are”.
Stop misquoting the man!
By John
August 21, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Parcells really said “you are what your record says you are”.
Stop misquoting the man!
By SamoanDawg
August 21, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Well said, Mr. Barnhart.
mahalodawg, eh, what up bra? I missed the taro/green coconuts/wahines.
By DLA
August 23, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Excellent article! These student athletes have always been pampered & think they’re above the law. Once you turn 18 you lose the “I’m just a boy being a boy” mantra. You put yourself in situations that seem shady then be prepared to get caught. It was refreshing to see a young woman, (Barbie Bandit) who made a stupid mistake, plead guilty WITHOUT promise of a plea arrangement - she owned her mistakes. That alone, I would hope, get her time served plus probabtion. You “boys” could take a cue from her, if you put yourself in sticky situations.