Big Sky Cairn

After reading this story I lost a little bit of faith in humanity. Even for the low standards set by big time college football, this story out of Clemson is simply horrible.

For those who are not following what happened this week, Clemson released Ray Ray McElrathbay, a third string running back, from his scholarship. Nothing scandalous until you hear Ray Ray’s story.

Last summer Ray Ray’s 11 year old brother Fahmarr visited him at Clemson. Ray Ray and Fahmarr both grew up in the Atlanta foster care system. Their mom was a drug addict and the father got into some trouble with his gambling problem. During this summer visit, Fahmarr asked to stay with Ray Ray permanently. Ray Ray quickly agreed and filed for legal custody. The NCAA even granted a rare waiver so Ray Ray could receive outside financial support to help raise his little brother. Truly, this was a heartwarming and touching story.

This quote should have been a warning for the storm clouds approaching:

Clemson Coach Tommy Bowden said he was concerned at first when Fahmarr began showing up at practice.

“I mean, big-time football is a serious business, a multimillion-dollar business, and I thought a little kid running around would be a distraction,” Bowden said. “I mean, we didn’t need to be baby-sitting. But it’s worked out.”

Well, as the top story stated, Clemson decided not to renew Ray Ray’s scholarship. Why? Please Bowden, justify this…

Clemson signed the maximum 25 players in February and is over the 85-scholarship limit mandated by the NCAA.

In addition, the Tigers have a multitude of running backs: Davis, junior C.J. Spiller, and incoming freshmen Jamie Harper and Berkeley’s Andre Ellington.

“We’re pretty good at running back right now,” Bowden said.

Wow. All I can say is Tommy Bowden, you are one classless act.

In case you are wondering, Ray Ray is expected to graduate with a degree in sociology a year early. He made honors last semester while taking 21 credit hours. For some reason I think this kid will do pretty good for himself. Best wishes to Ray Ray. You are a much better person than the man you used to call coach.

The only good thing about this story is that this kid is going to be so much greater than those who would stand in his way.
Like someone said of Jesse Owens - “This man is a credit to his race - the human race.”