“This wasn't a simple bruise mark for Miami and FIU. This was something more grotesque, something that made you question what kind of people these players were.â€? â€" Gene Wojciechowski

“Then you evaluate, take a hard look at yourself, and realize the truth. This kind of behavior lurks just beneath the surface of competitive athletes -- all the time.â€? â€" Bill Curry

Taking Notes: What can we learn from the brawl between FIU and UM?

The outrage at what happened on the field at the Orange Bowl last Saturday was nearly universal. Almost as universal was the roar for bloodâ€"someone is to blame and they must be severely punished. The writers want the players suspendedâ€"indefinitely. The board members want the coaches sacked. Everyone is acting surprised.

What have I learned from this?

We worship athletes. College football is only one place where the rules don’t apply. Are athletes subject to the same rules as the rest of us or not?

Friendship isn’t the same as authority. Given the choice in high school, we’d all have chosen the “coolâ€? dad that bought us beer and porn over the one who lovingly enforced a curfew. But, then again, we don’t know what we wantâ€"tending to choose less love over more. But which sons grow into men? Do young men need friends or fathers?

Blame doesn’t solve problems, even if you get it right. The better question is asking everyone involved what they’re going to do about it.

It’s easy to feel superior. It’s easy to talk down to these guys and condemn them for their wrongs. It’s harder to give them the grace to ever succeed again. All of us have had days this bad, or worse. Reddick has apologized for his helmet-as-a-weapon frenzy. Were his actions born out of loyalty or animal rage? What do I do with that?

Ours is a culture of violence.
Listen to the language we use to describe any competitive venture. Phrases like, “We killed them� and “I’ll kill you� and words like “slaughter� (to defeat by a wide margin) don’t even register. How many successful video games, movies and albums aren’t full of it?

We’re don’t know what violence is for. We’re confused, as a culture, about violence. The fight last Saturday is just another example of how we’re not clear when violence is and isn’t appropriate. The same actions that might save your life in another situation is assault. It’s clear so many in the FIU and UM situation don’t understand either.

Clearly, teaching right and wrong in sports is as important as winning.

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