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Thug U Strikes Again

By matt Jordan, Section College
Posted on Mon Oct 16 2006 at 11:01 PM EST
More on: Miami, FIU, Football, brawls (all tags)

The single most disgraceful act in college sports happened this weekend. Something so heinous, it's almost shameful to admit to being a fan of sports. Of course by now, you know I'm talking about Miami taking on Florida Atlantic. Even with the idiotic behavior with the players, the more shocking thing might be the dumb comments by color commentator Lamar Thomas, an ex-Hurricanes player. Thomas went on to say the following, "Now, that's what I'm talking about. You come into our house, you should get your behind kicked. You don't come into the OB playing that stuff. You're across the ocean over there. You're across the city. You can't come over to our place talking noise like that. You'll get your butt beat. I was about to go down the elevator to get in that thing."

    Let's look at their history, starting with some of their better-known players. Michael Irvin comes to mind, when I say Miami Football and arrest records. In 1996, he was busted with a plateful of cocaine, which he plead, "no-contest" to. Another player, Willie Williams, who was kicked off the team, was given a scholarship never mind the fact he had thirteen prior arrest records, including burglary.

    More incidents come to mind, just in the past calendar year. What about last year's Peach Bowl? Miami lost to LSU, then proceeded to beat up some of their fans, a brawl in which two Miami players were allegedly knocked out. Then, there is the Louisville incident. Even though, I don't know who got stomped more, the Cardinal in the middle of the field, or Miami during the game.

    So, Larry Coker claims to have "control" over his team. If this is control, then I guess that the only way we know it's out of control is if they kill someone, right? Sure, some of it is defendable. After all classy teams like Florida State mock teams like Clemson's run down the hill. Speaking of Clemson, they did get into a brawl at the end of the Clemson vs. South Carolina game two years ago. However, they were at least classy enough to pull their respective teams out of their bowl games.

    Back to Coker for a second, he also made some dumb remarks after the game, saying, "I think that it will affect the image of our program greatly, but in a positive way. I think that when they see the video and they see how it was handled they will be impressed with our players." So, beating someone with his helmet is impressive? Stomping a guy into fertilizer is impressive? Since when? Of course, to save his job, he went out and suspended eight players. With John Swafford suspended even more with a joke one game suspension. That game is against Duke.

    Sure, FIU is at fault too in this mêlée. However, Miami proved once again why "'Da U" is just "Thug U". So, what should happen here? It's plainly simple. Brandon Meriweather should never be allowed to wear a football uniform again. James Bryant, who started the brawl with his classless bow, should be suspended for at least the rest of the season. Chris Smith, of FIU, should be suspended for the season. Anthony Reddick should also be kicked off the team. Lamar Thomas should never be allowed in a broadcast both again. Larry Coker should resign for his lack of control of this team.  ACC President John Swafford should resign for not handing out a harsh enough suspension. Don Strock should have his team forfeit the rest of the year, and both athletic directors should have a serious look at their football programs. Things like this should never happen again.