Adam "Pacman" Jones. Chris Henry. Former teammates from West Virginia University. Two players that had all the potential in the world. Jones, a first round draft pick. Henry, proving he is a bigtime receiver at Cincinnati. Two players who left college early (one we were a little sad about, the other -- well...). They should have been players the university could point to as success. Now, they are players that the university rather not be associated with ever again.
Jones and Henry became the focal point of the NFL's personal conduct policy. And rightfully so. These are two guys who got big money from football squads but have no idea what to do with that money. You are handing millions of dollars to people who have never had to answer for their actions in the past because of their athletic ability. Henry and, to a lesser degree, Jones were both given passes at WVU because of their on-field abilities.
Henry eventually showed his true character in his junior year at the University. I was there at Rutgers when he showed the faithful there what he thought of them and their school. He was an embarrassment and should have never played another snap at WVU. But he did. Jones better hid his true character...he seemed likeable, especially compared to Chris Henry.
But then, they get out of school and get paid. And they have no idea what to do with that money. So, they fall back in with their "homeboys" from the "hood." Jones is buying cars that are being used in rap videos. Jones is associating with drug dealers and, according to one of those dealers, is using himself. (Big surprise.)
Henry is racking up the DUI and possession charges...and providing alcohol to minors. He has no idea how to behave. And, of course, just like Jones, he has to have a gun or two for "protection."
It is insane. Jones and Henry are stupid and have gotten caught. But there are dozens of other athletes across the NFL, NBA, etc. who are doing the exact same things but they have better protection. I'm glad the NFL is stepping up...and the NBA has been too. It's time for someone to school these athletes about society and their role in it. It has gotten out of hand. All I know for now is that two athletes who could have bestowed pride on the University's football program have now become the Disgrace of West Virginia.
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It's about time for the NFL to step up and discipline the athletes who are representing their organization!
I really hope that this as a trickle down effect. WVU administration should be embarrassed that both of these athletes are alumni and have a history of bad behavior. I hope this embarrassment will cause them to discipline the talented college athletes (who are not employees, but are on athletic scholarship) that represent WVU.
I also hope they stop offering scholarships to high school athletes who are already causing problems.
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