Reason2succeed
06-02-2016, 09:09 PM
When Jeffrey Simmons signed his name on the Letter of Intent he became a bulldog. Little did anyone know that shortly after that he would be involved in an altercation that would put his future in jeopardy. His future still hangs in a balance. But he made a promise to us and we had made a promise to him and his family.
Today the news hit that Jeffrey Simmons is indeed enrolling and will play football at State. Upon confirmation of his enrollment Twitter and news outlets have been set ablaze with negative publicly and second guessing of our football program and our university.
The difference between OM and State is that we actually "own it". Not just the coaches and administrators but even fans and alumni of State own responsibility for our decisions. We are not disillusioned or blinded by loyalty. No, we accept that this is a bad look. We know that Simmons will be on a zero tolerance policy no matter how well he plays. We demand it. There are even some State fans who have gone as far a disagree with giving Simmons a chance and others who think that the suspension should be longer. No one has silenced these dissenting voices or questioned their loyalty.
Please point me to a situation when OM has ever accepted criticism without deflecting. When has OM ever looked at a decision made by their university with scrutiny other than over mascots and confederate symbols. (Yes, I'm talking directly to you Rebels. Click an ad while you are here.) When have OM fans ever questioned their university for bringing in a player with a questionable past. We could go down the list of players OM has had transfer after being kicked out of other schools. It has become the normal routine there.
We are a different university with a different culture. We do not have a culture of corruption, spinning and lying. We have some things OM seems to lack: ethics, morals and values. So let them criticize us all they want. We know the truth about who we are. We accept responsibility for our actions and if he is open to learning from this mistake we will teach this to Jeffrey Simmons as well.
So let's stop arguing with them. Let them say what they want. In the end we will be vindicated by producing young men who make our university proud which is more than we can say about them.
Today the news hit that Jeffrey Simmons is indeed enrolling and will play football at State. Upon confirmation of his enrollment Twitter and news outlets have been set ablaze with negative publicly and second guessing of our football program and our university.
The difference between OM and State is that we actually "own it". Not just the coaches and administrators but even fans and alumni of State own responsibility for our decisions. We are not disillusioned or blinded by loyalty. No, we accept that this is a bad look. We know that Simmons will be on a zero tolerance policy no matter how well he plays. We demand it. There are even some State fans who have gone as far a disagree with giving Simmons a chance and others who think that the suspension should be longer. No one has silenced these dissenting voices or questioned their loyalty.
Please point me to a situation when OM has ever accepted criticism without deflecting. When has OM ever looked at a decision made by their university with scrutiny other than over mascots and confederate symbols. (Yes, I'm talking directly to you Rebels. Click an ad while you are here.) When have OM fans ever questioned their university for bringing in a player with a questionable past. We could go down the list of players OM has had transfer after being kicked out of other schools. It has become the normal routine there.
We are a different university with a different culture. We do not have a culture of corruption, spinning and lying. We have some things OM seems to lack: ethics, morals and values. So let them criticize us all they want. We know the truth about who we are. We accept responsibility for our actions and if he is open to learning from this mistake we will teach this to Jeffrey Simmons as well.
So let's stop arguing with them. Let them say what they want. In the end we will be vindicated by producing young men who make our university proud which is more than we can say about them.