Coker suspends 8 Hurricanes for brawl

[Southpaw]

Omar Kelly
Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel
Oct. 17,2006

October 17, 2006
Say Hello To The Bad Guy

"Whattaya lookin' at? You're all a bunch of [hypocrites]. You know why? Cause you don't have the guts to be what you wanna be. You need people like me. You need people like me so you can point your finger and say 'that's the bad guy.'

"So, what dat make you? Good? You're not good; you just know how to hide. Howda lie! Me, I don't have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth, even when I lie. So say goodnight to the bad guy. Come on, the last time you gonna see a bad guy like this, let me tell ya."

Those are the infamous words of Scarfaces' Tony Montana, the world's most notorious bad guy. It's funny how they are perfectly fitting for the bad boys of college football.

Tony Montana never tried to clean up his image after pillaging the streets of Miami, so unlike the Miami Hurricanes he was never subjected to the hypocrisy UM is presently being bombarded with.

Looking down on this team because of their involvement in Saturday's brawl is perfect acceptable. But for the entire nation to portray these Hurricanes as a team full of thugs is not. While some of the things they did during Saturday's melee with Florida International was thuggish, and totally unacceptable, thugs they are not. Not even close.

Are they guilty of charging the field to fight FIU's players after seeing their holder and backup quarterback get body slammed? They are.

Are some players guilty of getting caught on video committing some offenses that would be considered heinous? They certainly are.

But are they the thugs and outlaws the national media would like to portray UM to be? Not even close.

Butch Davis, Larry Coker and Paul Dee have done such a good job of cleaning up the program the past decade most of the typical Hurricane bravado is no longer genuine. As a matter of fact, this is a team is filled with more choir boys than trouble makers. But that old Miami image CAN'T be shaken, and as I've said before I have no idea why the school even tries.

I've always wondered why UM's athletic department was so overly conscious about the image it portrays, and now I've finally discovered the answer. It's because an entire school now knows what it's like to be a black man in American society, where people have a preconceived perception of U before they get a clue who you even are, and are threatened by U.

The truth is there's nothing UM can ever do that will change it, and Saturday's melee is proof of that considering how most of the nation didn't take a look at all the fact before they showed some prejudice. I'm not saying the Hurricanes don't deserve to be criticized, but the program doesn't deserve the amount of scrutiny it has received since Saturday by talking heads who don't even know what F.I.U. stands for, and probably didn't even mention they were involved in the melee, much less started it.

But truth is, it doesn't matter because college football already knows who it's Bad Boy is, and it's the Hurricanes, the team America loves to hate.

"Come on, make way for the bad guy. There's a bad guy comin' through; you better get outta his way!"

Thanks for allowing me to put this all in perspective Tony, and you too Canealmighty [the blogger] for the inspiration.

 

[boisesuns]

Why didn't Miami's President reveiw the tape? I heard she said she was there and didn't need to see anymore or she might have gotten upset. I don't think they are handling their side of things too well.

They sent out something saying "We don't condone these actions, and any future ones will be punished." Just my opinion, but I don't think the way they are handling this is good for the reputation Miami really needs to shake.

 

[Southpaw]

Why didn't Miami's President reveiw the tape? I heard she said she was there and didn't need to see anymore or she might have gotten upset. I don't think they are handling their side of things too well.

They sent out something saying "We don't condone these actions, and any future ones will be punished." Just my opinion, but I don't think the way they are handling this is good for the reputation Miami really needs to shake.

That is an old misquote. She met with the Board of Trustees , the ADs, Coaches, etc and they went over the films frame by frame for hours, as she told the Mike & Mike ass clowns on ESPN2 this morning. Gotta keep up with all of the fallout Boiseee.

 

[boisesuns]

That is an old misquote. She met with the Board of Trustees , the ADs, Coaches, etc and they went over the films frame by frame for hours, as she told the Mike & Mike ass clowns on ESPN2 this morning. Gotta keep up with all of the fallout Boiseee.

Guess i'm behind! My bad. So they have reveiwed the tape? Have they actually given those guys the boot? I think at least 2 Miami guys need to be done for the year BASED on the tape.

What a crazy event. I can't imagine trying to sort it out.

 

[Southpaw]

Oh btw, there was another brawl that ESPN did not cover.

HC takes no action on fight
By Dan Duggan
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 - Updated: 06:17 AM EST

Holy Cross will not discipline its players for their role in a postgame fight last Saturday at Dartmouth, sports information director Charles Bare said yesterday.
“We did not see anything from any Holy Cross players that warranted disciplinary action,” Bare said of the altercation that occurred after HC’s 24-21 overtime win at Dartmouth’s Memorial Field.
After Holy Cross players celebrated atop the Dartmouth “D” painted on the field, fights broke out between the teams as they lined up for the customary handshakes.


Bare said he does not expect the league to hand out any punishments, and although Hanover, N.H., police was needed to break up the fight, he had not heard anything regarding possible police action.
Hanover Police Chief Nicholas Giaccone said an investigation is ongoing, but unless video surfaces showing the beginning of the brawl (the game was not televised), it is too early to tell if anyone will be charged.
Giaccone said Dartmouth’s game tape only shows the end of the fight, and Bare said he did not know if Holy Cross had any video of the incident.
“It was so dynamic that you are not focusing on numbers,” Giaccone said. “With a video, you could just keep playing it over and over and say ‘That was number whatever, that was number whatever.’ For me to say what an individual person was doing . . . there was too much going on.”
Giaccone said the fighting lasted a minute or two, and was not nearly as out of control as Saturday’s brawl between Miami and Florida International.
“What we observed was a lot of pushing, shoving, some punching, some kicking when people were on the ground,” Giaccone said. “We would break up one group, then another group would flare up, we’d get in the middle of that and another group would flare up.”
Holy Cross coach Tom Gilmore, a longtime assistant at Dartmouth, declined to comment yesterday but on Sunday he told the Herald’s John Connolly “it was unfortunate. We were just celebrating the win. When you lose in overtime it can be agonizing and maybe emotions boiled over. It’s a shame it happened.”

 

[boisesuns]

ESPN might have not covered this one, but Miami is a little more high profile than Holy Cross. Speaking of that, shouldn't a school called Holy Cross be the last one to fight?

Miami has had many previous incidents that they cannot get away from until they can go more than a few games without an incident. No one is asking them to be squeaky clean, but with a school that has the misshaps that they had, something like this just highlights the past things and makes many people beleive things won't ever change.

 

[Southpaw]

Miami has had many previous incidents

Which ones would those be?

 

[boisesuns]

It's not about race; it's Miami
October 19, 2006
Shaun Powell
SPORTS COLUMNIST


We missed the white fight. You know, the brawl between football players at Holy Cross and Dartmouth last weekend where, interestingly, no TV cameras were around to capture the fists and the anger, to replay the lowlights constantly so a country would come away with an impression about "those people." The phone rang a few times the other day, and the callers wanted my take on what they saw as an obvious and possibly racist double standard. That's because, while the preppy and privileged were slugging it out, a large group of mostly black players from Miami and Florida International stomped each other in a violent interlude that received major air time on your tube and YouTube.

Therefore: Where's the outrage for the prep boys gone wild? What about equal time? Why the difference? Well, one reason is rather obvious. We're a nation of rubberneckers, and when given something shocking that we can actually see, we're straining for a closer look. There was graphic video of Miami and Florida International players kicking and swinging helmets and in the case of one injured player, even crutches. In a morbid and grotesque way, it was entertainment for the networks, who exploited it to the hilt, satisfying an audience that craved it. There was none of Holy Cross vs. Dartmouth, a game nobody demanded to see. Therefore, no round-the-clock replays.

As for the punishment phase, hopefully justice is blind. Thirteen Miami players received suspensions and were ordered to perform community service for their part in the fight, while school officials at Dartmouth and Holy Cross were still sifting through the rubble yesterday, searching for the guilty. In every which way, their behavior was just as repugnant, just as unforgivable, and therefore the punishment should be just as firm. The scales must be balanced, because fighting can't be justified or tolerated in any high school or college event.

Now let's get to the real issue here. The fight in Florida weighed heavier because the program at Miami has an ugly history of football players acting like fools.

But the aftermath and the reaction is racist only if that's the way you choose to see it.

A good many schools around the country play according to the rules, adopt an acceptable code of conduct, keep the trash-talking where it belongs - in the trash - and subscribe to the guidelines of sportsmanship. Oh, and a good many of these schools have a good number of black players. That should be pointed out.

What's unfair is when a group of renegades are lumped with everyone else. So please, make the distinction. Too many black football players at Miami for two decades have engaged in taunting, fighting, finger-pointing, stomping and all-around nonsense, but in no way do they represent all black players. Every race has its idiots; ours just seem to get recruited by Miami.

This is the same school that ran up 202 yards in penalties at the 1991 Cotton Bowl, most for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the nine players flagged were black. This is the school that once famously dressed in military fatigues, that had multiple players run afoul of the law in the Jimmy Johnson/Dennis Erickson eras, and that was tagged as "convicts" when it played the "Catholics" from Notre Dame. Sure, there are notable exceptions of former standout athletes and students at Miami: Russell Maryland, Jonathan Vilma, to name a few. But still.

As Tim Brown, the Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame, once told me: "They bring your momma into every conversation."

As a race of people, there are forces against us that we can't control: racism, decaying city school systems and hiring practices. As for our image, that's well within our control. When members of a group insist on embracing all the negative stereotypes and giving society more reasons to dislike or fear us, then those wounds are self-inflicted. Too often, these people find their way into pop culture and sports, where the influences are heavy and the spotlight is hot.

Their actions are seen across the country and suddenly, beliefs and biases are formed. The football program at Miami, of all places, should know that by now.

Next time Miami players fight, they really should swing a helmet at the right opponent: their reputation.

(End Article. Begin Boise's Thoughts)

I think he's right about the media coverage stuff. Wether or not they deserve it, the Media and nation is watching Miami's every move.

 

[Rivercard]

I think he's right about the media coverage stuff. Wether or not they deserve it, the Media and nation is watching Miami's every move.

Absolutely, and rightly so. Miami plays with the big boys. If you don't want media scrutiny then go play for Holy Cross.

 

[Southpaw]

I am convinced. Send them all to jail. Shut down the University. Public hanging is in order, but only for Miami Canes. The world will be a better place.

P.S. Just one question desrving of an honest answer.

Suppose it involved the Boise State Broncos and the USC Trojans?

 

[Southpaw]

Which ones would those be?

Still waiting for that list of previous incidents. You don't have to answer. I won't ask again.

 

[boisesuns]

Still waiting for that list of previous incidents. You don't have to answer. I won't ask again.

There was a couple of incedents in that article. here are some others

(From another Article. Not my words)

the third on-field incident involving the Hurricanes in their last seven games. And there's been plenty of off-the-field ones, too.

-- Several Miami players fought with LSU players following the Tigers' 40-3 win in the Peach Bowl, a brawl that quickly escalated into an out-of-control melee in the tunnel leading from the field.

-- Shortly before the Miami-Louisville game Sept. 16, virtually the entire Hurricanes' roster jumped on the Cardinals logo at midfield -- an act widely viewed as a taunting gesture. Afterward, several Miami players chided teammates for their involvement in that incident.

-- A Miami player was shot outside his home shortly before training camp began in what players contend was a robbery attempt. Meriweather returned fire at the alleged assailants. Police said he acted legally.

-- Wide receiver Ryan Moore, who was sent home from the Peach Bowl for violating team rules, was suspended for the first two games of 2006 for other violations. He is expected to be charged this week with misdemeanors stemming from an August fight with a woman. He hasn't played this season.



I'm not on a mission against Miami. If it were Boise, I would support them getting kicked off. I'm just wondering why some of the Miami players are only getting small suspensions when they did something on the feild that would normally be an assult anywhere else. I'm not sure why the U handled it the way they did. Same with FIU as well. People have gotten arrested for less than what happened in the brawl. That's all i'm saying.

I'm not trying to get personal here Wally. I have always enjoyed your discussing college football with you. I know you want to defend your team, and it's reputation. Maybe the media is taking things too far, but so did both teams on the feild last weekend.

I hope Miami can shake the image they have gotten, deserved or not. They are not that far removed from winning it all.

 

[Southpaw]

Okay here goes

There was a couple of incedents in that article. here are some others

(From another Article. Not my words)

the third on-field incident involving the Hurricanes in their last seven games. And there's been plenty of off-the-field ones, too.

-- Several Miami players fought with LSU players following the Tigers' 40-3 win in the Peach Bowl, a brawl that quickly escalated into an out-of-control melee in the tunnel leading from the field.

Incident as it happened. LSU players assaulted a Miami ball boy and stole their equipment. John Beason and another Miami player ( that is 2 ) tried to seperate the LSU players from the 12 year old ballboys. The 2 Miami players were beaten by 12 LSU players in the tunnel and had to receive medical treatment. The LSU players were neither punished or suspended. Boys will be boys. Right?

-- Shortly before the Miami-Louisville game Sept. 16, virtually the entire Hurricanes' roster jumped on the Cardinals logo at midfield -- an act widely viewed as a taunting gesture. Afterward, several Miami players chided teammates for their involvement in that incident.

Seriously, how is that an incident? That has become so common that people laugh at that antic.

-- A Miami player was shot outside his home shortly before training camp began in what players contend was a robbery attempt. Meriweather returned fire at the alleged assailants. Police said he acted legally.

and how is that an incident other than an armed intruder shooting a Miami player in the yard the player lives in. Somehow that was Willie Cooper's fault for getting shot by someone trying to break into his house. Guess what every other person in Florida has a gun and Jeb made it legal this year for people to protect and defend themselves except for Miami "thugs".

-- Wide receiver Ryan Moore, who was sent home from the Peach Bowl for violating team rules, was suspended for the first two games of 2006 for other violations. He is expected to be charged this week with misdemeanors stemming from an August fight with a woman. He hasn't played this season.

The other violations of what you speak were for smoking pot in his home. He is still suspended from the team for the altercation. Not playing, not training, just being persona non grata by the UM staff. They are honoring his scholarship. The local DA has decided to drag this one out without ever bringing charges. BTW, Gergia Tech has a starting DB who was caught by cops with 94 pounds of pot in his car. He missed one game.

I'm not on a mission against Miami. If it were Boise, I would support them getting kicked off. I'm just wondering why some of the Miami players are only getting small suspensions when they did something on the feild that would normally be an assult anywhere else. I'm not sure why the U handled it the way they did. Same with FIU as well. People have gotten arrested for less than what happened in the brawl. That's all i'm saying.

I have no idea how you would react to Boise State players. You say you would. I am not defending Miami players in the least. I am attempting to point out how hypocritical and overblown this whole incident is. Miami players are getting adequate "punishment". FIU is a freaking joke. They are a bandit program who just hired Pete Garcia away from MIami to attempt to slvage their athletic department, after terminating their AD. There actions on the field were premeditated , while Miami's were reactive. Try and keep things in perspective. The media sure as Hell isn't.

I'm not trying to get personal here Wally. I have always enjoyed your discussing college football with you. I know you want to defend your team, and it's reputation. Maybe the media is taking things too far, but so did both teams on the feild last weekend.

I hope Miami can shake the image they have gotten, deserved or not. They are not that far removed from winning it all.

Miami will never shake their image. It has been 20 years since the infamous teams, 4 head coaches and 2 ADs later. The perception is there as long as Miami players have gold teeth and dreadlocks and ESPN makes money televising them as Bad Boyz and editorializing them into infamy. America may hate them, but the top 5 all time ESPN broadcasts views involve Miami. America loves controversy and blood.

 

[Southpaw]

Just as an aside. Anyone ever been involved in an athletic brawl? I have. 2 basketball and one football on the high school level, many moons ago. Guess what, they were lily white segregated schools. Nobody died. Participants got suspended for one game. Games were forfeited. No ESPN coverage although they got mentioned in the local fish wrapper and a few of us got letters of warning from the Florida High School Athletic Activities Association.

P.S. Don't ask about the bar room brawls. That is where people get hurt.

 

[Rivercard]

IMHO, typecasting usually involves at least a small nugget of truth. Justified or not, Miami has enjoyed their bad boy persona when it suits them and the hype surrounding that persona has helped Miami "take it to the bank" in some regards. Now after this incident they want to blame the media.

Though it appears FIU were instigators, UM players reacted in incredibly drastic fashion and should be held responsible for their actions whether provoked or not (as should FIU players).

 

[Southpaw]

I would bet good money that ESPN won't be dropping Miami games from their broadcast rotation and may even adda few. Just waiting for the train wreck.

 

[Skkorpion]

I'm a Notre Damer and even I think Miami is getting unfairly critized here. The school has gone out of its way to clean up its reputation the last ten years, even at the cost of lowering the recruited talent level.

Miami recruits primarily inner city kids. Before they did that, the school's football program was a joke. The ghetto kids bring more behavior problems than do middle class kids but they bring more speed and athleticism resulting in more winning and more money for the school.

It's a fair trade-off. The players get a chance at an education their lousy high schools didn't adequately prepare them for and the school gets exposure and money.

Live with it. Under pressure to win, lots of other schools recruit criminals too. Georgetown took Alan Iverson even though the kid had a rap sheet. Lou Holtz, while at Notre Dame, kept recruiting riskier and riskier prospects who were getting in trouble, even getting a commitment from Randy Moss, until the administration revolted and forced Holtz out.

ASU has had kids throw games and commit murder. USC, under Pete Caroll, is recruiting lots of California's behavioral punks.

How about Virginia Tech? Florida State? Don't those schools recruit straight from juvenile detention centers?

Miami is making a real effort to deal with the negatives and you and I know it's not the fights that will get Coker fired, it's losing games.