Dez Bryant Suspended for the Year

Early this morning, during my daily Sportscenter period, ESPN ran a headline discussing Oklahoma St. wide receiver and his recent judgment by the hands of the NCAA. They have decided to suspend Dez Bryant for the rest of the season, and next season, until September, 2010. The decision was made based on evidence that Bryant lied to the NCAA about the extent of the relationship he had with a former NFL superstar. We all know him as "Primetime" Deion Sanders.

As usual, ESPN hosted their college football analyst, Todd McShay. McShay gave his own personal insight on the reaction to the news. Keep in mind that McShay has picked Bryant as the #1 receiver prospect in the upcoming NFL draft. McShay was disappointed that the NCAA suspended Bryant for such an extensive amount of time. Also arguing that LeGarrette Blount (the Rocky Balboa wannabe from Oregon), was going to be able to possibly return to college football this season, and Bryant has to sit the rest of the season out. Good point McShay, but try this one.

Let's set the record straight. For ANYONE that has played competitive sports in their lives, we can all relate to LeGarrette Blount's situation. The only difference being that those games most likely weren't broadcast on national television. But think back to those days. Undoubtedly, there were opponents on the other side of the field that you wanted to punch. As an athlete growing up, there were people I wanted to hurt. It's a fact of life. If you have passion for what you're doing, you won't take any jive from a cocky whiteboy from Boise, Idaho. Just like LeGarrette, the passion of the sport got to him. I've personally seen more brutal fights in a high school hockey game. Those players sat out 2 games and were right back at it. It's a competition, and only the strong survive. So, I can sympathize with Blount. That Boise St. Player who shall not be named was talking smack, and Blount smacked it right out of him. Too aggressive? Yes. Unacceptable? Yes. Understandable? Absolutely.

Now, we get to Dez Bryant. Instead of a quick lapse of judgment, Bryant INTENTIONALLY violates NCAA policy. Then, INTENTIONALLY lied about violating said policy. This was no one-and-done moment. This was a planned meeting, and a planned cover up from the Bryant camp. Premeditation, baby. If this was a court of law, Bryant would be getting 50-life for 1st degree arrogance. He's talented, but, he comes off as just another arrogant college athlete that thinks he's bigger than the system. Those rules are there for a reason, and they aren't meant to be broken. No matter what you think Mr. Bryant. Shame on Deion Sanders for doing this to the poor kid. You went to college Deion, you know what's right and what's wrong. You screwed the guy.

So, for whichever team ends up picking Bryant in the first round this April, I hope that his NFL career gets started better than his college career ended.

(information from this article was provided in part by http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4600727)