Long short on words after solid performance

[TCbacker54]

The dude was acting like a major d-bag and got called out on it. Plain and simple.

And how many of us were mature when we were 21?!?!? "Oh Brother's" Friday morning radio presence is stronger than that argument.

I got a better question: If you were in a legitimate position to possibly become a millionaire within 2 years of turning 21, what would your level and maturity be to help you attain that goal? I'm guessing you wouldn't be playing Mickey Mouse games at a press conferences. Further, you just beat Arkansas State. Acting like that after you beat a Top 25 team is one thing, but stAte...com'on son....

[Turbine]

He left his words and heart on the court where they belong.

I've been to 100+ press conferences, I have no problem with Long.

[Ragin4U]

Bull____!! A college player is NOT accountable to the media for his performances! He is accountable to his team, coaches and school but not the media. For the record, I have no problem with Luke feeling that way either as it is his job and it makes it a lot easier when you can get your answers and move on but I just didn't like the way he called him out in the article.

Now, to be straight, I'm not saying his demeanor was appropriate nor was his interaction with the media but I also question Luke calling him out. I also am not high on making athletes accessible to the media at the college level but that's a different argument for a different day.

I bet if no media showed up and no articles were written about UL athletics, we would have a major meltdown here.

[zephyr]

The dude was acting like a major d-bag and got called out on it. Plain and simple.

And how many of us were mature when we were 21?!?!? "Oh Brother's" Friday morning radio presence is stronger than that argument.

I got a better question: If you were in a legitimate position to possibly become a millionaire within 2 years of turning 21, what would your level and maturity be to help you attain that goal? I'm guessing you wouldn't be playing Mickey Mouse games at a press conferences. Further, you just beat Arkansas State. Acting like that after you beat a Top 25 team is one thing, but stAte...com'on son....

Seems to me you answered your own question.....

[wcd35]

He apologized afterwards, but his actions were immature. But has he really been crucified any more than Broadway or any other athlete?

I didn't say that he is a saint or should be let off the hook entirely for his public actions but I think this one thing makes it easy for people to overlook what's seemed like a player showing more maturity this year. I also don't feel the some of the criticism for Broadway was warranted either.

[zephyr]

I bet if no media showed up and no articles were written about UL athletics, we would have a major meltdown here.

You missed the whole boat. The key word is accountability. Luke used that word back when Broadway was made unavailable for comment during the week in football season. He was upset about this and stated that B-Way should be held accountable as the QB and to the media. I totally disagree. There is no collective bargaining agreement which outlines media requirements of athletes that I know of and my view is that these players are not accountable to the media. Now, If a player wants to accept a media request, which often is not a problem, then so be it but I see no reason to require them speak to the media. Obviously Shawn did not want to be there. His behavior was far from ideal and I'm sure Marlin spoke with him about it. I don't know where anybody suggested that we not have any media presence for our athletics.

[CajunJack55]

The dude was acting like a major d-bag and got called out on it. Plain and simple.

And how many of us were mature when we were 21?!?!? "Oh Brother's" Friday morning radio presence is stronger than that argument.

I got a better question: If you were in a legitimate position to possibly become a millionaire within 2 years of turning 21, what would your level and maturity be to help you attain that goal? I'm guessing you wouldn't be playing Mickey Mouse games at a press conferences. Further, you just beat Arkansas State. Acting like that after you beat a Top 25 team is one thing, but stAte...com'on son....

I'm not condoning, but athletes like this act this way for a reason. All their life they were the best athlete in ther town and college. Their coaches, the community they grew up in, their family and freinds all puts them on a pedestal and they can do no wrong (we are all guilty of this.) They get to announce on national tv where they go to school. It is a freaking freak show sometimes. They are never told when they do something wrong and no one is ever honest with them. So they act like jackasses and when someone tells them any different most of the time they flip out because no one is ever honest with them. I have so much respect for these coaches who have to re-mold some of these kids (and yes they are still kids.) He apoligized, let's let Marlin deal with it and move on..

[CajunT]

I didn't say that he is a saint or should be let off the hook entirely but I think this one thing makes it easy for people to overlook what's seemed like a player showing more maturity this year. I also don't feel the some of the criticism for Broadway was warranted either. It's just easy to sit back and criticize what we see like this, when we only have a fraction of the whole picture.

As I stated, he has apologized. But this event has been magnified by some of his past actions. Had he not have a history of suspensions and other events that have been kept in the program, most probably wouldn't care. Most do not now.

Let's see how the team responds tomorrow in Atlanta. If circling the wagons gets them focused, then we will have something else to talk about.

[CajunT]

You missed the whole boat. The key word is accountability. Luke used that word back when Broadway was made unavailable for comment during the week in football season. He was upset about this and stated that B-Way should be held accountable as the QB and to the media. I totally disagree. There is no collective bargaining agreement which outlines media requirements of athletes that I know of and my view is that these players are not accountable to the media. Now, If a player wants to accept a media request, which often is not a problem, then so be it but I see no reason to require them speak to the media. Obviously Shawn did not want to be there. His behavior was far from ideal and I'm sure Marlin spoke with him about it. I don't know where anybody suggested that we not have any media presence for our athletics.

I don't remember Luke saying Broadway should be held accountable as the QB to the media. He did say he did not agree with a senior and leader of the team not being allowed to talk to the media during the week. Broadway did speak to media post games during that time.

[wcd35]

As I stated, he has apologized. But this event has been magnified by some of his past actions. Had he not have a history of suspensions and other events that have been kept in the program, most probably wouldn't care. Most do not now.

Let's see how the team responds tomorrow in Atlanta. If circling the wagons gets them focused, then we will have something else to talk about.

I agree with you. Last night's postgame seems like a little bit of a setback in that regard. Hopefully he gets it

[TCbacker54]

I'm not condoning, but athletes like this act this way for a reason. All their life they were the best athlete in ther town and college. Their coaches, the community they grew up in, their family and freinds all puts them on a pedestal and they can do no wrong (we are all guilty of this.) They get to announce on national tv where they go to school. It is a freaking freak show sometimes. They are never told when they do something wrong and no one is ever honest with them. So they act like jackasses and when someone tells them any different most of the time they flip out because no one is ever honest with them. I have so much respect for these coaches who have to re-mold some of these kids (and yes they are still kids.) He apoligized, let's let Marlin deal with it and move on..

I can level with many of the points you articulated.

However, I still stand by the fact that it is BS to still refer to them as kids. They aren't, they are young men, and I believe one of the first steps to getting them to act as so is to drop the idea that they are still "kids".

[Just1More]

I am glad everyone was so mature when they were 21. I know I am not mature at 51.

As I was trying on new thongs the other day, I thought long (no double pun intended) and hard about now versus then... and "I'm thankful" there were no cell phones (pics and vid) around back then. I didn't know how to wear a thong as maturely back then as I do today.

PS I'm good with Luke's article. The media is not the only group on the other end of these interviews... we are too. And if/when I pull my thong floss over to the side to make a public statement... regardless of my years past 21... I not only deserve... I require some comment... in order to help me mature. Long should appreciate Luke's article.