Spring Break
The Daily OrangeDiamond: Williams' suspension betrayed SU's trust
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 10/26/09, 2:23 AM EST Section: Sports
First, a statement by Mike Williams. Take a guess when he said it.
"I learned that everything is not given to you. You have to work for everything. At first, I'm thinking, 'I'm Mike Williams. I'm on top of the world.' That's how I felt. But now, me being suspended helped me. It helped me realize that I'm like everybody else."
If you thought Saturday evening, try again.
Maybe you would have been right in a perfect world, where star athletes truly consider the magnitude of their words and take accountability for what they say. It seems Williams has not yet reached that level of maturity.
How else can we explain this situation? Williams was suspended Saturday for Syracuse's game against Akron by head coach Doug Marrone for violating team rules. In a game the Orange needed to win if it reasonably expects to make a bowl game, Williams, the player who has literally carried the offense all season, was not allowed on the field.
That seemingly honest and heartfelt revelation Williams so passionately delivered came from a story that appeared in The Daily Orange on April 16. That was Williams' apology for missing the entire 2008 season, suspended from the university for breaking the Academic Integrity Policy.
At the time, it was easy to believe him. His comments implied remorse and understanding. We were ready to forgive Williams for his transgressions.
We don't know why Williams was suspended this time. When asked for an explanation, all Marrone offered was a stock answer about making decisions "in the best interest of the program" and wanting to protect Williams' privacy.
Marrone did say that Williams will be immediately reinstated to the team, so he will almost certainly face the media later this week to give his side of the story.
But the reason he was suspended is irrelevant. The fact that Williams did anything Marrone felt was reprehensible enough to warrant a suspension is a complete betrayal of the trust we all put in him. Everybody - Marrone, SU, the fans - put their faith in Williams. This latest incident is one giant slap to the face.
"I learned that everything is not given to you. You have to work for everything. At first, I'm thinking, 'I'm Mike Williams. I'm on top of the world.' That's how I felt. But now, me being suspended helped me. It helped me realize that I'm like everybody else."
If you thought Saturday evening, try again.
Maybe you would have been right in a perfect world, where star athletes truly consider the magnitude of their words and take accountability for what they say. It seems Williams has not yet reached that level of maturity.
How else can we explain this situation? Williams was suspended Saturday for Syracuse's game against Akron by head coach Doug Marrone for violating team rules. In a game the Orange needed to win if it reasonably expects to make a bowl game, Williams, the player who has literally carried the offense all season, was not allowed on the field.
That seemingly honest and heartfelt revelation Williams so passionately delivered came from a story that appeared in The Daily Orange on April 16. That was Williams' apology for missing the entire 2008 season, suspended from the university for breaking the Academic Integrity Policy.
At the time, it was easy to believe him. His comments implied remorse and understanding. We were ready to forgive Williams for his transgressions.
We don't know why Williams was suspended this time. When asked for an explanation, all Marrone offered was a stock answer about making decisions "in the best interest of the program" and wanting to protect Williams' privacy.
Marrone did say that Williams will be immediately reinstated to the team, so he will almost certainly face the media later this week to give his side of the story.
But the reason he was suspended is irrelevant. The fact that Williams did anything Marrone felt was reprehensible enough to warrant a suspension is a complete betrayal of the trust we all put in him. Everybody - Marrone, SU, the fans - put their faith in Williams. This latest incident is one giant slap to the face.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
The 12th Man Inc
posted 11/06/09 @ 8:19 AM EST
Your trust? Give me a break. This is football, and this is somebodys career. You are not on the Syracuse coaching staff and Mike Williams does not play for you. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 11/06/09 @ 12:23 PM EST
Co-sign everything that the 12th man said. Shoddy journalism like this is why the DO is terrible. Williams is gone, get over it. Focus on the rest of the team. (Continued…)
g33k
posted 11/07/09 @ 9:20 PM EST
lmaooooooo. i agree to an extent. he was an idiot make no mistake about it. i wouldnt believe a word he says...however I dont need to believe him. What he does outside of football doesnt really concern me. (Continued…)
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