CFB: Something Bigger Than Sports
Now is not the time to argue about rivalries. It’s not the time to talk about rankings for teams. It’s time to come together as people to try to help those who have been hurt so badly by the actions of those at Michigan State University. What has been uncovered in the Larry Nassar abuse scandal is truly remarkable, but sadly not something we haven’t seen before in major college athletics. People will draw parallels of the Penn State scandal that rocked the nation. Though we must remember we live in the United States of America where you are proven innocent until proven guilty. Where there is no doubt in Nassar’s guilt there are now questions raised in regards to Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo’s programs.
Since 2010 at least 37 reports of sexual assault have been reported to the NCAA in regards to Michigan State athletics and their conduct in these matters. Both men fully deny that there was any cover up or wrongdoing in matters like this. With the breakout of the “me too” movement giving so many brave women opportunity to speak out against their abusers we are bound to see and hear things we wouldn’t think possible by some. Let’s be clear, I do not go to Michigan State but I have been a “Save-A-Lot” Spartan my whole life and take great pride in what my teams have been able to accomplish over the past decade. And take great pride in what my teams have been able to accomplish over the past decade.
Though there are a lot more things that are more important than sports and this is one of them. Protection of those students that are on campus at protection of those who cannot defend themselves should be at the forefront of the adult leadership everywhere. Since coming from Cincinnati, Dantonio has been able to raise the Michigan State football program to heights hasn’t seen in decades. And as long as everyone’s been around Izzo, he has been able to put out a great basketball team each and every year to raise Michigan State as one of the premier programs in college basketball. Though all of these memories of these men have helped create will mean absolutely nothing if it is found that they helped cover up assault charges.
Let’s be clear, Michigan State must control their own athletes. They have a duty not just to athletes but to every student that wears the green and white to protect them and advance them throughout life. This is the result of a culture of college athletics where the wellbeing of those who don’t play sports are not a priority because they don’t help the universities make money. Look at Penn State and Baylor as the two latest examples of “lack of institutional control” as a society we cannot tolerate those who put a “game” above the welfare of any other humans life. I love my Spartans just like a lot of other people do, too. But these findings do not only cast a black cloud over the university but also the State of Michigan as well.
If Dantonio and Izzo are found guilty, they should be fired immediately, not given one of those phony “resignations” to help save face. We must reward those who were brave enough to report their assault and to make sure their voices are heard. This falls on us as a society, we must pressure those in power to make the right decisions. We cannot keep our head down, eyes closed, and ears plugged. It’s too late for that now. We now live in a time where fear of coming forward is quickly evaporating and that shows growth as a people. Let us join hands, help heal those that need it and pick our heads up high. Keep moving forward and keep fighting the good fight. Let’s not let evil and corruption poison that which we love most dear.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.