A couple of days ago, an official at the University of Oregon rented a car and lent it to Cliff Harris, the football team's starting cornerback and All-American. That was mistake number one. Mistake number two occurred simultaneously as she lent him the car when Harris had a suspended license. Why anyone would let a college football player borrow their rented car, presumably under all their insurance information, and not know that he had a suspended license baffles me.
But the biggest mistake came at 4:30 on Sunday morning when Cliff Harris decided it was a good idea to drive 118 mph down Interstate-5, a notorious trapping route for those unfamiliar with the area, not that that is the reason he shouldn't be driving that speed.
Cliff Harris deserves a two game suspension, minimum. And, yes, I am aware that the Oregon Ducks open on the road in Baton Rouge. Actions like this are simply inexcusable as he put his life, his friends life, and anyone's life on the road they passed in reckless endangerment. It doesn't matter that it occurred in the offseason. It doesn't matter that Harris is an All-American. And it doesn't matter that Harris would feast on an LSU passing attack that threw more interceptions than touchdowns last season. Harris must sit for his mistake.
Teams must hold players accountable in these situations. Otherwise, what stops Oregon's program from mutating into one like Ohio State?
A situation of this nature is indicative of a larger problem in college sports. The amount of attention and adoration that these athletes receive is unparalleled to times past. They are usually the best athletes in their class growing up, no matter where they are and their friends and family are quick to remind them of this fact. With all this respect and spotlight focus, players develop a sense of indestrucability. Nothing can touch you and nothing can hurt you.
This deity status that the public places these players in directly results in incidents such as Harris and the Ohio State debacle. The athletes feel larger than life and, consequently, their actions are rash and unsafe. Harris was lucky. One blown tire, minor bump in the road or animal crossing and we're discussing the short, unfullfilled life he led. But somewhere down the line, another athlete won't be so lucky. And when that moment arrives and we find ourselves asking how this could have happened, we must simply look in the mirror for the answer.
Do the right thing, Chip Kelly. Suspend Cliff Harris and make a statement that you put responsibility ahead of wins and losses.
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