READ ENTIRE POST BEFORE COMMENTING ========== It's really interesting to see everyone's reactions...here, ESPN, etc about this. While I can't defend what occurred (especially the idiotic actions by Meriweather and Reddick), I can stand up for the football program. There's no question there has been a huge bias against Miami football, and this will only make it far worse. They've got targets on their backs and every little thing they do is and will be magnified (writers exaggerating the amount of violence during the brawl by making it sound as if there were multiple helmets being swung and multiple people stomping on others while ignoring the psycho actions by many, many more FIU players; in the past: the 7th Floor Crew song "incident" that Pat Forde felt like it was the end of the world). (In fact, one of the players on the song, Jon Beason, stayed on the sideline during the brawl which gets into a sport ethics discussion...do you stay there and worry about yourself while getting scrutinized for doing so or do you be a team player and help out your guys getting beat up?) Everyone wants to believe that Miami players went on the field with the intention to fight, when in reality they went to help their teammates. I'm not defending the idea of the brawl or justifying their actions, only giving reasons for why they did so. These guys aren't morons as many think; it's a situational thing that happens about every couple of years in football, because it's football. This was in no way anywhere near the worst brawl in college football. There weren't even any injuries. It's a big deal because, of course, it's Miami (boo, right? **** 'em, right?). I find the most interesting place to read about the reactions on the Miami Herald website board, a place where both sides are represented, yet Miami still gets the brunt of the blame...because their Miami: http://blogs.herald.com/random_evidence/2006/10/umfiu_the_battl.html Some comments in there are truly inappropriate (SFW) in the sense that they are so politically incorrect. Some call for UM football to be shut down for the season, others applauding FIU for essentially being "less-classless" than Miami. The most insulting (which I wouldn't doubt if any of you feel) is the idea of discounting the University of Miami degree because of this incident. My favorite idiot comments: A plea to restaurant servers - you see someone at your table wearing University of Miami gear, please, spit in their food. ... I will not hire anyone else who attended the University of Miami, and as soon as I can rid my company of the current employees with University of Miami association, I shall. They should all be in prison And this is what essentially started the brawl: Another photo shows FIU players going after the kicker: I've got class with some of the suspended players, so it should be interesting to see what the discussions will be like here. Some MISCONCEPTIONS worth clearing up, at least of interest: Beason tore his MCL during the game (which explains why he was on the sidelines during the brawl), thus not brawl-related as many want to suspect. It's difficult to convince anyone otherwise, but the video did look A LOT worse than what really occurred. No, video does not lie, but those clips were all tightly put together making it appear as if the entire fight was like that. In my mind (and many others, including Coker, who is probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet) the attacks by UM players were isolated incidents; the TEAM did not fight, only a hnadful of players; FIU fought as a TEAM. See here's the thing; what anybody (writers, viewers, etc) cannot see in the video is that the players weren't jumping up and down celebrating as ESPN is portraying and wants you to think. It was done on the sideline after a team meeting and is a way of showing unity (done before games). Now while it's the same type of thing that was done before the Louisville game, it's a different situation; this occurred as a way for the team to be brought together after what transpired, NOT as a way to brag for what occurred. When Kyle Wright is quoted with "childish" postgame remarks that attack FIU, then you know something's messed up. I know Kyle and he's definitely one the nicest, most passive people on the team, which has hindered the once-top prospect. He hasn't shown attitude or emotion, so for him to say what he did actually impresses me for the fact that he can now show his teammates that he is capable of standing up for them and be a leader (something this team dearly lacks). It's truly unfair to judge Wright's character for his remarks (some call it valid, others inappropriate). Keep in mind he's not the QB that was taking money from car dealerships or stomping on a players' calf (although his teammate...). I saw James Bryant today and when asked why he pointed or taunted at the FIU bench, he replied "I didn't point at no one, not anybody." Now while this quote may sound like nothing, it's not as if he was making excuses for any of the actions; really a nice guy who seemed, you could say, befuddled, yet accepting. His tone wasn't rude or frustrated, just explaining the situation. I also sat with another player (one of the guys who was knocked unconsious after last year's Peach Bowl) and discussed the game for a while. This particular player is also one of the nicest guys you'll meet (a common theme with this team) and a very good Christian (as in he goes to church weekly). Why am I mentioning this? I suppose in an effort to explain why "Dead Man Walking/Lame Duck" Coker's comments about having "not good; great players" were valid. This player's rationale for going on the field (didn't throw a punch; attempted to protect players) was what ANYONE in the heat of the moment would do in that situation -- help out. Don't even try to say that Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, etc would just sit on their hands on the sideline if their players are being maliciously attacked. Maybe malicious retaliation (helmet flung; stomping on player) is absolutely uncalled for (which I agree with), but trying to separate your guys from a bunch of crazies is justified in that situation. Non-players weren't immune: the Miami team pastor was also attacked by FIU players. Not sure if the FIU player that was attacking UM players was suspended or dismissed, but he apparently was trying to go after Darnell Jenkins (also injured; just had knee surgery last week). Lamar Thomas, who was fired by CSS SE, is not associated with UM in any capacity. He was never a UM employee as some may think. "Because their Miami" is an unfair reputation that the team, students, administration, and alumni have to deal with. It certainly didn't help in this situation (thanks ESPN). What I did find extremely amusing about ESPN was Michael Irvin's comments, basically turning against his former teammate. Granted they probably needed to be said by a guy like Irvin, but you know, deep down, he doesn't believe what he said; he would've been right there with the best (or worst) of them laying it down, haha. I still think this will help the team win games (even though there is now much more to UM football than winning from this point forward, and while they could still be ACC Champs this year and possibly contend next year the media will still despise this team[/i]. At least basketball season is around the corner. And I'd like to see Manny "tail between his legs" Ramirez make a comment on this, lol.
Good points Mooch. One has to remember like Michael Irvin said, these are just kids that don't know better. But they should know better, or somebody should teach them. They should know how be classy, even in the face of maniacs. If Miami was the Cowboys during the Albert Haynesworth incident, that probably would have been a huge fight. But I guess the Cowboys are older and classy pros. Look, yes, FIU was dumb. But it wasn't like the whole FIU team rushed the field to tackle the kicker. From the picture and video, one FIU idiot started it, and his teammate was trying to restrain him. If Miami was classy then it would have ended there. Personal Foul and an ejection. It takes 2 idiot teams to make a riot. Why didn't the Cowboys start a riot with the Titans? Only young stupid kids think that rushing the field as a team is a natural reaction...but again, they're only kids.
Miami is one of CSSS' "partner schools" - meaning, I assume, that they broadcast non-national Miami games, UM's "home broadcast" if you will. Are you seriously suggesting that the university has no say over who the broadcast personnel are? Not sure how you can jibe that with CSSS general manager Mark Fuhrman's (change your name already, dude) actions yesterday: ''At this point we're consulting with the university and discussing whether to fire him'' or dole out other punishment, Fuhrman said. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15773417.htm Saying that he was an employee of UM was incorrect, but your suggestion that he is "not associated with UM in any capacity" (implying that UM had no say in his employment as a public "face/voice" of UM football) is likewise false.
While I'm not going to defend them, I'm going to write a long post defending them as soon as I'm done with this sentence. The reason for the disparate treatment is this: nobody gives a sh-t about FIU, hell nobody even knows they had a football team until 3 days ago. Hence nobody cares. Yes it might be unfair, but that's what happens when you are a high profile program like Miami - you get a lot more hype but are also held under the microscope when things go bad (deservedly so given the outlaw reputation that Miami players have voluntarily cultivated over the last two decades...I don't need to go into specifics and whether or not it is fair to the current players, but the fact is that it is there (listen to Lamar Thomas for christ's sake). If you don't want to be known as thugs and idiots, you shouldn't have established that rep in the first place. Nobody forced Michael Irvin to have repeated drug arrests or Ray Lewis to lie to the police, Nobody forced the Canes to adopt Luther freaking Campbell as their unofficial mascot who was paying players...etc etc etc. Lamar Thomas' comments perfectly illustrated the image that Miami has cultivated for itself and the fact taht he still carries that sentiment to this day is a testament to its staying power. If they didn't want it, they shouldn't have established it.
As a proud alum of Miami, Thomas was certainly acting as the voice of Miami during it. That certainly didn't help your image problems. (Miami definitely had influence on whether he is an announcer or not.)
Let's recount some recent Miami incidents: Getting into fights in the tunnel after the Peach Bowl with LSU (Miami lost 40-3). Disrespecting Louisville's midfield logo (then getting their butts handed to them 34-7). Huge brawl against FIU (after going up 14-0 in the 3rd Q) while Lamar Thomas essentially cheers on the fight. All 3 of these incidents have happened in the past year, yet Mooch wonders why Miami continues to have a "thug reputation"? Miami will cease to have this reputation once they actually stop perpetuating it. Current UM players try to emulate the 80's Miami teams, but they just don't have the same killer instinct that those teams had. Those teams had the "swagger" because they knew they were the best and if you questioned it, they'd show you on the field. This Miami teams acts like they are the best, but squeek out home wins against Houston in front of a crowd that doesn't even top 30,000. I'd love to see Miami shake things up and come back with one of those legendary teams that are over-flowing with speed and talent. Bottom line, Miami may have a coach that comes in and establish some discipline (Davis/Coker), but once something like this happens, The U ends up starting back at square one with their thug image.
