I remember watching the ESPN story on Ray Ray and thinking, damn I wish FSU could be more like Clemson.
Now, I'm thankful we're not.
Good write up guys!
From a PR standpoint this could have been handled so, so much better especially on such a high profile player. James Davis made the situation worse by talking about it without all the facts - he didn't know about the GA offer. James might also want to look himself in the mirror if it actually was the way he portrayed it because his coming back would have cut Ray Ray's schollie - though I don't believe that scenario.
Word on the street was Ray Ray was habitially late to team functions and used the Fahmarr situation as a crutch. Supposedly at the end of the day the coaches felt they were right in that Ray Ray was not shouldering his weight even given his circumstances.
I have a really hard time believing Bowden, the coaching staff, and Terry Don are incompetent enough to just kick off a player with the visibility of Ray Ray without some type of just cause.
I agree with your point slingle, but I think the long term costs of this decision outweigh the here and now cost of just letting the guy hang around for two more years and try to make a name for himself and maybe some money that he and his family could use. I think it's pretty shitty though, they should pay for grad school and let him play. They shouldn't penalize the guy for doing something with his life, given the circumstances. There's a bunch of other people that would have just folded had they been put in his shoes.
Stuck between a rock and a hard place
Only 2 options:
1) Remove Ray Ray from the team and risk a PR issue that is without question was made worse by a RB deciding give his $.02. (The PR of the situation being mishandled is a seperate issue.)
2) Allow Ray Ray to remain on the team when others would have likely been removed for similar violations establishing two sets of rules simply because Ray Ray has name recognition. Certainly Ray Ray isn't the only player from a disadvataged background juggling tons of responsibilities.
In the end which is worse? Neither option is appealing, but our coaches went with #1.
The hardest thing about the whole issue is I doubt Bowden will ever give his side (all the info he has that went into his decision). I don't know if allowing one team member to get away with more (or considerably more) than others is more detrimental than the possiblity of a PR hit/nightmare on the recruiting trail.
It seems all anyone can do right now is to make assumptions.
Sorry to keep harping on this but I have a lot of time on my hands today.
I have a lot a problems with Bowden but they are really limited to either on the field performance (and the pseudo-excuses he makes after lack there of) and on the practice field in relation to special teams.
But really don't believe he is a snake oil salesman. He doesn't have a history of anything like of which I know - and yes Cock fans I know the whole Tony Nelson story. We have had a lot more dead weight on his past teams when he could have been much easier to kick someone to the curb had he really wanted too.
His coaches are loyal to fault (and maybe he is too, Jack Hines wasnt worth keeping on staff as a GA) - multiple assitants have turned down very large salary increases to stay at Clemson.
So where I can see your point in the last few paragraphs on the Ray Ray saga, I don't agree with them under the circumstances. If Bowden was stupid enough to pull Ray Ray's schollie just to clear up room then he should be fired as well as Terry Don. I think most of the evidence points in the opposite direction. Maybe Im naive but he may be too ethical for his own good.
I like to say that I like Clemson. I like Bowden. I like to watch Clemson sports even though the overall outcome is exactly the same every time. But what has happened to Ray Ray, and what potential probelms this has caused, seems to portray either the arrogance or ignorance of our athletic department. We have done some shoddy things in the past, but it seems that this has gone over board. Why cut this kid? Why the secrecy? And even if it was because you need all 85 spots for "better players", how can you not offer a full ride for academics, he did graduate in three years, so the kids got to have some brains. I just don't see this coming out good in the end. Either it's going to be a PR nightmare, or it'll be shoved under the carpet, and a good kid (and his brother) are going to be left out cold on the street.
Yes, but what does TBIAM think? That's what the world is waiting for.
Oh, and Willy Mac, you're clearly a coot. According to TardNet, you show no class by even discussing this topic. How dare you. /sarcasm
CuStudent
You are just a little...wait..excessively over the top there and lacking facts with the addition of a little something called reality. He and his brother are going to be left out in the cold? At the very worst Ray Ray will have a degree from a Clemson (and notoriety from being on Oprah) and Fahmarr will be sitting on 100K. Who isn't going to hire him?
The likely scenarios will be Ray Ray will get to attend a subdivision school on full scholarship or will stay at Clemson as GA with a chance to get a master's degree paid for. His story was (past tense) sad but he has made the most of it minus the on the football field performance. Least we not forget Ray Ray was pretty much on academic probation the entire time he was playing.
In what other scenario would he be where he is right now? There aren't many and the percentages would say he would be in jail or worse given his background.
All that being said if Bowden just up and pulled his scholarship for better players/numbers. Ill be the first one to say fuck Bowden and kick him balls he is run out of Clemson.
Let's not act like this is a tragedy for Ray Ray. The real tragedy is the only way he might have ever gotten out of his miserable position in the first place is because he could play football.
I agree with most of your points, slingle, but still keep my original decision on the matter.
Also, jasonL, hilarical.
Finally, in before TBIAM slams his fists into his keyboard in a foaming Tigernet rage.
That was a really good write up but I don't think that you need to feel too sorry for the guy. Ray Ray and Fahmar are much better off than any of us and they are both financially set for life and all of that came about simply because it made a good story for the press. Lots of atheletes go through crap like this and never get recognized. I don't think that Ray would have ever really contributed to the team.
Clemson SID Tim Bourret has issued the following statement:
Some media reports today have said that if Ray Ray McElrathbey elects to return to Clemson to pursue a masters degree that the scholarship would not include room and board. He would in fact receive a stipend that would cover his room and board, in additon to his education expenses.
TB was going to kick Ray Ray to the curb because he was late for team meetings or because he had academic issues? What no PTI for those "crimes"?
How about the players that have assaulted their girlfriends or done other illegal acts and stayed on the team?
TB made a mess of another bad situation. Nothing new there. Thanks to a ridiculous new contract WE can look forward to many more bad situations.
Just as long as Tommy Bowden can win some championships I don't care how unethical he is.
Here and elsewhere, there seems to be some confusion between what's right or wrong and what looks good or bad. This was not a great PR move by Bowden, but I cannot for the life of me see how it's unethical.
The premise of an athletic scholarship is "come play sport x for us, and you will get a free education." Ray Ray got that. He will have a B.A. from Clemson in August. He does have eligibility left, but it is not Bowden's obligation to participate in his dreams of playing at the next level. If he can't make it past #4 on the depth chart at Clemson, it's hard to see how he has much of a future at another DI school, or in the pros.
It is possible that it might have been worth keeping Ray Ray around for the sake of PR, but if he was any kind of a disruption or distraction, that calculation changes.
It's a shame it did not work out differently, but there is a different between a bad PR move and a unethical deed.
But why not move him to another position we are thin at or not that good at and see if he can do well in another role?
And Vincent is not a "disruption or distraction" along with others that not only broke team rules, I would think, but also committed felonies? Give me a break!
Gotta agree with TBIAM, I wouldn't care if Tommy Bowden grew a 70's John Holmes moustache, wore an orange silk shirt, openly worshipped Satan and had a bevy of scantily clad Hooters girls calling the plays. As long as he WON A CHAMPIONSHIP. Maybe this treatment of Ray is Tommy's way of saying, "Backdafuckup. A NEW Tommy B. is in charge."
Willymac and Tigerfan,
Ray Ray sucks balls at football. This is the first thing that you must realize. He accomplishes not a goddamn thing in this sport. Our walk on kicker could probably be a better linebacker than Ray Ray. I call him Ray Ray, like most people, because I don't even know his goddamn fucking name! Ray Ray came to Clemson to get us some good press, get his little brother a free home away from his crack mamma and make some big time cash from stupid fans in the process. There is no reason for anyone to feel sorry for this guy but if you aren't smart and want to then feel free to send him some extra dollar bills in your shameful guilt. Be ashamed, send money. Make sure Fahmar doesn't grow up limp wristed.
oh and Vincent is actually a good football player we might need him. He could smuggle anthrax into America but as long as he gets us to the ACC Championship, I could give a fuck less. Im sure Bowden feels the same way.
Fair enough. I'll agree with you so long as he gives TB a snort!
As for TB getting us to the ACCC, that is going to be one large bus he takes. It better have GPS or he will get lost again.
Do you think TB will get any ACCC tickets? I guess Bobby will have some.
This is Tommy Bowdens year. If he can't get shit done this year then he is as good as Fahmar or however you say that limp wristed motherfuckers name. I think the collective fans will him out if he doesn't put us in the Oliver Purnell the upcoming season. "The Oliver Purnell" is a new standard. I love Oliver Purnell btw.
OP set the tone when he got to Clemson. He showed the players who was boss, but he didn't throw them under the bus to take the heat off himself.
If you watched his demeanor yesterday, compare that to TB on the sideline in a big game. TB is always yacking on the headphones unless he is throwing them down. He looks like a school girl chatting with best friend. He better try texting RS or something different next fall.
Given the schedule, that fat new contract isn't going to keep the seat cool long.
You are correct. I wish Purnell would coach the football team too.
TBIAM, you are an idiot, upstate's finest, 'nuff said.
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