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Did Penn State Kill The Honey Badger?

The big, big news in my part of the world is that Les Miles, coach of the No. 1 ranked LSU Tigers, kicked star player, defensive back Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, off the team. No reason was given, other than that Honey Badger broke some unspecified rules, but unconfirmed reports indicate that he once again tested […]

The big, big news in my part of the world is that Les Miles, coach of the No. 1 ranked LSU Tigers, kicked star player, defensive back Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, off the team. No reason was given, other than that Honey Badger broke some unspecified rules, but unconfirmed reports indicate that he once again tested positive for drugs.

Though there is no reason to believe this had anything to do with sex, much less sexual abuse, I can’t help wondering if the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky disaster had something to do with this. That is, I wonder if the intense scrutiny surrounding college football and the privileges that top athletes and coaches have, compelled LSU to take a hard line against Mathieu. It is impossible to believe that Miles and the LSU Athletic Department would cut a Heisman Trophy finalist from the team without going to every possible length to avoid that decision. It is to their credit that they made this hard call. From The Advocate:

Both [LSU Athletic Director Joe] Alleva and Miles said LSU tried to help Mathieu, who had been made off-limits to the media all summer until the school held its media day on Tuesday.

Miles said, “We extended ourselves to the full length of the policy.”

Alleva said, “We do everything we can to help these kids. He’s had help, and we’ve been trying to help him all along with everything.”

“Being an athlete is a privilege, and you have to follow the rules to take advantage of that privilege,” Alleva said. “Unfortunately, he doesn’t have that privilege here anymore. He really is a good kid. It’s a shame.

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