By now, you’ve probably seen the video of the brawl that occurred Saturday night during the third quarter of the Florida International-Miami football game at the Orange Bowl. If you haven’t, think of one of those wild soccer fights from Europe.
The ACC has suspended 13 players for this week’s game against Duke. Those players involved would be allowed to play the remainder of the season. So, according to the ACC, if you use a helmet as a weapon, stomp on an opposing player, and punch everyone standing between the hashmarks you sit out one game. One game? How about the rest of the season?
University of Miami President Donna Shalala agreed with the ACC punishment, saying “The University of Miami simply will not tolerate or condone this type
of behavior. Period. We expect the best from our students. Indeed, we
hold all of them to a high standard of personal conduct.”
Really?
If this was any other program but the University of Miami the story today would be about possible assault charges and season-long suspensions. However, one must wonder if the value of Miami (television ratings, bowl revenue, etc.) led to lesser suspensions than what was deserved.
