Read the top section about Reggie Bush and the USC sanctions. This was my response to Mr. Fitzgerald. any thoughts?
Larry,
I just wanted to make a quick observation and comment regarding top section on yesterday's column.
I could not agree with you you more on most of this. I believe the NCAA and the universities exploit these athletes and make millions upon millions of dollars on there backs. I believe the athletes should be compensated (including, but more than their scholarship value). It is ridiculous.
BUT.... if we don't like the rules, we have to change them, not break them. At the end of the day, the athlete (In this case, Reggie Bush) is responsible. If he follows the rules, no violations. And it was just impatience. Surely he knew that if had had just waited a couple years, he would be making millions in the NFL and be able to buy his family a house and all the cars he wanted.
Now on to the one point that I take issue with. Ok, "take issue with" isn't actually accurate, but something to think about.
In the middle of this section, and out of the blue you say "many of them black." 1-what does that have to do with the story? It is irrelevant to your point. Other then the connection that Bush is black. But your piece is about the big picture. 2-While "many" is subjective, in context it would lead the reader (in my opinion) to assume that black athletes are exploited far and above other demographics. This is not the case. According to the NCAA, in 07-08 (most recent stats they had. ncaapublications.com/p-4148-student-athlete-ethnicity-2007-08-ncaa-student-athlete-ethnicity-report.aspx) Across all sports and all divisions there are more white student athletes being exploited then black (72% M, 79% F to 18% M, 11% F). And more specific to your article, if we take a look at Basketball and Football, across all divisions there are more white athletes then black (see pages 45 and 46). Now I do see that in D1 that black basketball players out number white ones almost 2 to 1, but in D1 Football, it is a toss up. In general, black and white groups make up by far the majority of student athletes, which is the only reason I leave out all of the other groups.. But even the handful of "group x" being exploited is wrong!
Now what is my point here? I'm not trying to turn the page and shine a brighter light on the whites being exploited, nor do I think you were concerned only with the blacks. I'm saying I DON'T CARE what color they are. Student athletes are being exploited.
Even in a benign nature, by continuing to identify people according to race, we continue to divide people by race. I don't think you meant ANYTHING by it. I've seen your interviews and read your column enough to know (as much as you can) that you are a good man. But if we're being honest, what might a non black think while reading your article? That the exploitation of black athletes is either more tragic in general, or more important to you.
You may think this is a silly diatribe considering it is all related to a subplot part of the story containing 2 simple words, and that is ok.
My challenge to you..... try not to identify subjects of your articles by race unless it is paramount to the story (a white coach kicks a black player off the team because he hates black people! Or vice-versa.)
Take care Mr. Fitzgerald. I hope Larry has a great season. Wishing you continued success. God bless.
e-mail response from Larry Fitzgerald, Sr.
"Thanks for reading. Larry."
What do you think? Check Mate?
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