https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/34971594/cam-neely-says-bruins-failed-vetting-mitchell-miller Anybody heard about this? I don't condone any of the bullying or racism that this player may have done as a child. That said, it doesn't seem fair that he should lose his opportunity to play hockey over it for life, especially when he was already punished in juvenile court for the bullying. Thoughts?
I had not heard this "Miller was a fourth-round pick by the Arizona Coyotes in 2020, but his draft rights were relinquished when a story was published about how he and another middle school classmate were convicted in juvenile court in 2016 of assaulting and bullying Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, a Black classmate with developmental disabilities. In the report, Meyer-Crothers' mother alleged Miller began abusing her son in second grade and repeatedly used racial slurs." "Neely said the possibility of signing Miller was first broached in August. The Bruins said Sunday that they decided to cut ties with him "based on new information." When asked about that Monday, Neely said the fact that the Bruins never reached out to the family of Meyer-Crothers "was concerning to me" and that it was "absolutely" a problem with the team's vetting process." BUT 2 questions: 1. What was the punishment for the initial crime? 2. What is this NEW Information? Rocket River
Bullying and tormenting a mentally disabled kid is pretty ****ed up. I guess the only change today is the scale you can get away with it by how good you are on the court...
I agree that this seems harsh for something done awhile ago and as a kid, but you don't have a right to be a professional athlete it's a privilege. And what he did seems more than just bullying, it was a disabled kid I am on the fence with this one.
I think the issue is the sincerity of whether he changed. I think what makes people suspicious is the first time he issues a apology and not even face to face, was a week before he got his contract signed which means the apology didn't come from sincerity. It came form an opportunistic standpoint where he realized he has to show something to show he changed. If he apologized years ago directly to the family we would know it's sincere and not a half assed attempt to make sure the media doesn't come for you when you sign the contract.
It is a PR nightmare, they are protecting their brand. Pretty simple, if this kid was THAT bad to be convicted, he deserves whatever he gets. DD
Seriously how often does a bully actually get convicted for bullying? Man it must have been next level bullying to get to the point of a criminal conviction.
I don't know what to think about this one. It happened from the time he was in 2nd grade until he was at least 14. Can people change? Absolutely? Has this guy? Who knows? I think the guy needs/needed serious therapy, volunteer work, etc. Has he done any of that? If not, screw him. If so, then what does it take to get redemption? From the NHL's standpoint I really hope he hasn't done what he needs to do to change and redeem himself , because it would suck if they just went off of him as a 14 year old. For society's sake, I hope he has changed.
It kinda doesn't seem right he lose a contract for something he did as a kid. But I wouldn't stick my neck out for a dude harassing a black disabled kid.
He's gonna be a public figure and a representative of a team. While Barkley was right that athletes are not role models, the truth is that people idolize them as one. Thus, teams usually have an ethics clause for their players. This guy and his history is toxic, and he doesn't appear to have made sincere amends.
There are many instances of pro athletes returning to play after domestic violence or sexual assault. Michael Vick killed dogs. You’d think that if those acts are forgivable then so would this, especially given that it happened when he was a kid.
I think if this person did his time and was willing to do some serious contrition like volunteering with disabled kids he should be given a chance. That said it sounds like the players didn't want him and turned on management and a hockey locker room is not a good place to not have the support of your teammates.
Sorry, but I don't feel bad for someone who bullied a disabled kid, especially for that length of time. Messing up and doing a thing or two thats dumb when your are a kid is all well and good. No big deal. I certainly had a few moments. Consistently doing something torturous to a vulnerable target over a long period of time. That's not a slip, that's what you are. And what that is....is a giant piece of ****. That is sociopathic behavior. **** him.
Seriously, even the vast majority of a**holes and bullies knew some kids were off limits. There's having some misdirected anger issues, and then there's whatever the f**k this kind of behavior is.
What he did was awful but I also think there should be a place for contrition and forgiveness. No one is perfect and I don’t think it’s good to tie a lodestone around someone’s neck for the rest of their lives for something they did as a kid. In this case I don’t know how he was punished or what contrition he has done but for something like this if he is willing to do things like volunteer with disabled kids and speak out against bullying I would give him another chance.
