great gifts equal great responsibilities.....

The Tennessean - 1/14/08

Two UT football players issued citations

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee wide receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige were cited for simple possession of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor, on Friday night, according to a report from the Knoxville Police Department.

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I'm about to sound like a bona fide old fart, but here goes anyway.

What actually goes through a kid's mind when they make poor choices like Paige and Jones? Do they not understand the unbelievable opportunity they're potentially letting slip away?

I'm 43 years old. I can't imagine the absolute thrill of being able to play football at a major university, let alone in the SEC, let alone THE University of Tennessee. As the father of a daughter who's heading to school this fall, the cost alone is a big enough benefit. But to be a part of a major college team just makes it that much more special.

I understand that we're all human and all prone to screw up. I've had my share of screw ups. But do kids today not realize the responsibility that comes with this opportunity? Do they not know that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction?

Coach Fulmer, now's the time to set the standard for the upcoming football season.....