Upon taking the shuttle after the game, I met an Auburn fan who was also extremely concerned with the health of Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. “Do you know what happened to the young man on the field?” he asked. We then engaged in a conversation about the importance of sportsmanship.
I was highly satisfied that the first thing that came out of his mouth was concern for another person. It was clear it was not important whether the ball crossed the plane, nor who won the game. The importance lied in the health and wellbeing of a fellow human being. My only hope was that Ole Miss and Auburn fans alike would also take a moment to forget about the game and extend a sense of respect and sportsmanship toward one another.
Sports writer Geoff Ketchum was quoted tweeting, “Man, the people of Oxford haven’t been this despondently heartbroken since public schools were segregated.”
I would like to note the irrelevance between segregation and Saturday’s football game.
The state of Mississippi has exhibited leaps and bounds to attempt to end this sort of negative publicity. I’m not saying all of our problems have been resolved; I personally can attest that they surely have not. Racial issues, however, should be left where racial issues are concerned. Why not take that time to extend a prayer, or show respect and grief for your fellow man?
I absolutely love the way Athletic Director Ross Bjork responded: “Have you ever been to Oxford & met our people, looked them in the eye, & understand what we are all about? You have no clue.” I could not agree with him more. This town and this university are not to be targeted. As a student of this university, I would like to stand face to face with these insensitive, inhumane individuals. They could clearly use a lesson in civility.
Another tweet floating around the Twitterverse this weekend stated, “Not feeling sorry at all for Laquon Treadwell after what happened to Kenyan Drake. #karmaisab****.” To quote AD Bjork, “You have no clue.”
Laquon Treadwill was not responsible for the Kenyan Drake injury in any way, nor is celebrating the injury of any man honorable. Personally, I have seen enough foolishness.
The “Opelika-Auburn News” headline dawned the headline “Finding a Way” with a photograph of Treadwell’s injury displayed beneath it. I have read comment after comment defending the publication. I personally believe it exhibits poor taste.
The headline alone is not an issue. After all, the Tigers undoubtedly found a way to win, including a scoring drive consisting of twelve men on the field. It is the combination of the picture and the headline that displays poor taste, poor planning or both. There nbso online casino reviews were other defining moments that sealed the win for the Tigers, such as the fumble recovery. The paper has released an editorial justifying its publication. This is undoubtedly inappropriate.
I understand celebrating a large win, but that wasn’t the the way to do it. Whether it was intentional or not, it was simply disrespectful.
The value of sportsmanship extends beyond sports. It is a reflection of the discipline and home training you received upon being brought up. It also speaks volumes about your intuitive sense of respect and humanity. The game goes beyond the lines for these players; it becomes a reflection of self, a way to honor their families, their schools and their communities. There are many factors of the game that are more important than the scoreboard. Specifically speaking, character is one of those factors. The same can be said about the fans.
I honestly could not care less whether the ball crossed the plane. I do not care what the scoreboard displayed. What I do care about is decency and respect, not only between the players on the field, but also between the fans in the stands and in living rooms across America.
The health of student-athletes nationwide should be the primary point of focus for every student and fan alike. My prayers go out to Laquon Treadwell, his family and his many Rebel brothers.
To the Treadwells, from the bottom of my heart, Hotty Toddy.
Brice Ashford is a junior marketing major from Ridgeland.
