Sports Illustrated has Mathieu on the cover today with a rags to riches to rags story that mentions this . . . The unconfirmed aim for the 20-year-old Mathieu, who declined to speak to SI, is to play for the Tigers next year. But that possibility may be more tenuous than he knows: Since last January, Mathieu has allowed his image to be used on a flyer promoting an event at a local night club, appeared in several promotional videos online and, multiple sources told SI, received benefits at the club that could affect his eligibility. Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/magazine/10/16/honey-badger/index.html#ixzz29TgUgpQH
I love how these schools can make millions off these kids while demonizing them for trying to do the same thing.
If he makes it back on the team, I'll be proud of him. He will have redeemed himself and in part his father. But if he doesn't, he has himself to blame. I have the same sympathy for him that I had for Perrilloux. You're sitting on the winning lottery ticket, and all you have to do to claim it is not commit a crime. And that proves to be too much to ask.
He's dumb for breaking the law when he knew the team would drug test him. Doesn't make the "law" any less reprehensible though. Far too many victimless crimes that are locking up our youth. Not to mention how much of our jail population is being used for manual labor for less than a dollar an hour.
He's not affiliated with any NCAA programs this year, so there should be no such thing as "improper benefits". He's a civilian, and he has the right do what he will, IMO.
