Damen It is a very hard lesson to learn. All of us have made mistakes that have cost us a lot of grief, but none of us know what it is like to lose a chance at playing for the championship after months and months of hard practice. These players are paid nothing for their hard practice and work, their payment is winning. The bottom line.................he didn't sell his tickets, he didn't try to get money for them, there has to be another penalty for him besides pulling him from the game. Yes, rules are rules, but the rules say "selling tickets for financial gain " and he did not sell his tickets for financial gain. What rule was broken??? Would you convict someone for "thinking of murder"? I hope not, I'd be in jail. Merry Christmas !!!!!
It is obvious that Damen did NOT sell his tickets. Given that he was "in the loop" with the sale of Shyrone's tickets, I don't think LSU / Saban had any other choice. LSU is making every attempt to be "squeaky" clean with the NCAA. Damen should've kept his mouth shut. period ! I really do feel bad for him & his family and the Tiger football team. It was avoidable.
damen I agree , he should have kept his mouth shut. I bet he will from now on, that is, if they let him play next year. He's a good kid. He's a walk on, no scholarship, just wants to play for the Tigers My heart goes out to his family. I know them personally and they are good people. I am still very proud of him and his season with the Tigers. He has alot to learn, football wise and in life. It has put quite a damper on the game, though. The team is like a family and these players will be missed at the game, before, during and after. I do agree with Coach Saban, too, he has to do what he has to do to keep the tigers "clean". Saban and Bertman both said it well on the news that they are "good kids and we love them, but they made a mistake and must be punished for it".
HUH?? Bostontiger are you saying SABAN should have kept his mouth shut????? If so I completely disagree with you! The coaching staff is the MORAL foundation of any athletic team. He/she takes 17/18 year old kids who come to school with out any idea what it takes to be upstanding, moral, productive adult and they suddenly have almost unlimited freedoms and huge temptations thrust upon them all at once. A coach's job is not only to make them great athletes but to mold them into people who we can respect as adults. Look at how many programs implode because they have great athletes but no guidance on how to handle success and failure. I'll get off my soapbox now. By the way, if you weren't taking about Saban, sorry. :geaux:
I don't think the 2 players should get the same punishment. For instance, they both have been suspended from play for the Sugar Bowl but I don't think Damen deserves to be suspended from 2004 play on the team. Hope you get tickets, I have no tickets either. Also, Damen's tickets have been taken away and his relatives have lost money on purchased airline tickets. Good luck and Happy New Year !!
Try this analogy... Ramah is looking to seel some crack. I know someone who is looking to buy some crack and tell Ramah how to get in touch with the guy. Unfortunately for me, I am now party to the act of sale. Is this the same as Ramah selling the crack, probably not, but nonetheless I just got tied to it. (Not that Ramah is actually selling crack, at least not that I am privy to....) Its unfortunate for Damen, but LSU's compliance dept meets with the players regularly to remind them of the rules. Consider this a tough, tough lesson learned for both of these guys.
Agreed, a tough break for Damen. I remember what it was like to be 20, I made some bad decisions, too. This is one he will not forget for the rest of his life. Hopefully, he'll get other chances to play with the tigers. They both are good kids. Good players, too.
