What Should Notre Dame Do About Yuri Wright?
Tweets come back to haunt. NJ.com : Don Bosco's Yuri Wright, a possible Rutgers recruit, expelled for graphic tweets bit.ly/zRS57y
— Nicholas Huba(@nicholashuba) January 20, 2012
By now, most Irish fans that follow recruiting, already know about the Yuri Wright situation. If you just scanned the message boards, you would think that we were on the verge of a civil war between the fanbase. Everyone has an opinion on what Brian Kelly and Notre Dame should do about Wright and his recruitment.
I am no different. If you have been reading this blog long enough, then you already know what I'm thinking... You take him. I have no idea what Kelly will do, but I can tell you how I would handle it, if it were my call.
You tell Yuri that the scholarship offer is still on the table provided that he accepts the following steps:
- Issue a public apology.
- Take a redshirt freshman year.
- Maintain a good academic profile.
- No social media for 2 years.
- No code of conduct violations or problems with the law for 2 years.
- Talks to a counselor once a week for 2 years and follows their guidelines as well
Notre Dame is one of those programs that boasts about producing great young men of character. The dirty secret is that a lot of those guys were that way before they ever stepped on campus. Where is the want to help kids with a bit of trouble and get them to change their life? That's something you can really boast about.
Here's what this comes down to for me: 1) we're vilifying this kid for exercising his First Amendment rights; and 2) as a Catholic school, shouldn't there be some tendency towards forgiveness and helping people better themselves?
As an academic institution, free expression, no matter how offensive, should be tolerated; as a Catholic university, compassion and transformational teaching ought to be paramount. If there's evidence Wright has committed acts of violence, or any crime, his recruitment should end. Absent that, ND shouldn't simply dismiss him as a person, or potential student-athlete. I find it funny that recruits are referred to as "kids" when fans are attacking their decisions regarding school choices, but then are suddenly judged as fully-evolved adults when they do something immature like this.
@BrawlingHibernian As per usual, you are on point. Wright didn't physically do ANYTHING even deserving of a misdemeanor.
The Don Bosco admins and coaches need some blame in their direction. Kicking him out of school, after football was over, and then throwing him underthe bus was more heinous than anything Wright said. If they warned him 10-15 times like they said, why not suspend him from football for 3 games or whatever?
When there is a lack of discipline in a kids life, how do we blame him? No one was truly watching out for him; they were using him.
Subway,,
You say the tweets were fiction. The tweets didn't say they were fiction. He was telling 16 hundred people what was going on in his mind and you want us to forget it. This image is the persona he chose for his fans. Forget it . . . No way!
You say the kid has potential as something other than a football player. Where is that coming from. The tweets don't demonstrate that unless you are talking about the potential to embarrass the university.
Do you have any evidence to back your assertions up? All you want is a football player. You don't care about the kid and you don't care about the university. You want wins.
I find it difficult to believe that anyone, now including me, is listening to your opinion about anything. I hereby stop.
@JoeSchulz Oh Joe... Do you even understand what "fiction" is? It's something that is made up, conjured, or imagined; and in this case it is also published in digital form. No, I have no evidence to support this, but because this is America, my case doesn't need any. Where is your evidence that these tweets, these snippets of information that were a part of a private account, were actually an accurate journal of what he does on a daily basis? You don't have any. In America, you need anlittle bit of proof to back this up; otherwise it's just words on a computer screen, or lyrics in a song, or quotes from a movie- or whatever. I thought you said you were a lawyer?
Yes, I want Yuri Wright at Notre Dame for football. There is no denying that fact. However, that isn't my only reason. I believe a place like ND could help change this guys life for the better. I would like to see ND expand it's mission when it comes to these athletes. Wright has never been convicted of anything that Inknow of. So why all of the hate from fans like you? Is it because he uses street slang? Seriously, is is that trivial?
If you had bothered to read the article above, you would have known that I wasn't just giving Yuri a pass. If he wants to commit to ND, I believe there should be some extra guidelines in his life. If he fucks up- then the consequences would be there.
Notre Dame should be more than just a collection of the righteous. It should be a place that can turn lives around for the better. I believe in the potential of all people- especially those so young. I would rather take a "risk" and be rewarded.
I know you don't understand any of this thinking. You're old, and are wired a little differently in the brain. That's fine. That's who you are- but it's not the way of the world, and it certainly isn't the world I want my kids to live in.
Let me see if I get this straight: you ask for Subway for evidence to back up his assertions, but then proceed to make assertions about him (e.g. he doesn't care about the kid and just want wins) without a shred of your own evidence. Irony not a real strong suit for you, huh?
Coaching staff should have team meeting and ask the players. I am sure they would come to the best conclusion. Go Irish we are ND
@ndchld1 This isn't a bad idea. I wonder how many of the players met Yuri? not sure if it would help his situation, but I like the idea.
Have to disagree, subway. According to the ESPN reports, the kid was warned "10 to 15 times" that he needed to stop using twitter and there would be consequences if he didn't. Does that sound like a kid that really need a second chance?? Sounds like he had more than 10 chances and he basically told the Catholic school to go F themselves. Done. The kid's a serious problem and our school can't take him. Period. A VERY easy decision.
@Odog7 Think about this one for a minute... They warned him 10-15 times, but did nothing about it. As far as I know- he started every single game for Don Bosco. Only now, AFTER THE SEASON and in light of the publics knowledge they do something. You have to be blind to not see what is going on.
I guess two wrongs make a right, then? Not sure what that has to do with the university of notre dame's decision to allow a student in or not? @TheSubwayDomer
@Odog7 @TheSubwayDomer Just going to have to agree to disagree. Where you see potential problem, I just see potential- and not just on the gridiron.
Well, he behaved like a complete cretin. While the school didn't punish him properly, they certainly didn't write those twitter posts. He's got problems and it's the university's responsibility to keep those troubles out of the university. @TheSubwayDomer
@Odog7 He was above punishment- during the football season. This is behavioral learning at it's finest.
Guess i don't see it as burying my point, but if that makes you feel better. He still thumbed his nose at the school. Granted, they didn't do anything about it, but he still clearly thinks he's above punishment. Too big a risk for the university. Guess we'll just disagree on the reasoning. @SteveinIowa1 @TheSubwayDomer
@Odog7 I was just burying your point about Don Bosco and the "warnings." If he he wants to come to ND, they should let him. I have already given my reasons and provisions in the main post.
@Odog7@TheSubwayDomer Only that Don Bosco high school failed in their responsibility to discipline/form one of their students and expelled him when he was no longer useful to them. It's not a question of two wrongs making a right, in the case of Yuri and Don Bosco it was two wrongs still making two wrongs. With ND, it would be a chance at real discipline and proper formation. If he blows that- a real risk and a real chance that would be up to him--then it would be on him provided we had information that ND was doing right by him in a way Don Bosco was not.
@TheSubwayDomer@Odog7 Have you ever hear Jim McMahon talk about his dismissal from BYU? The University knew he partied hard, drank, etc., and only after he used up his eligibility that the University told him to take a hike. He left nine credits short of a degree.
The obvious reason for referencing St. Mary's is that that is where the young woman committed suicide. Any repeat of that incident or anything even resembling that incident, involving this recruit, would and should cost both Kelly and the AD their jobs. They can't take the chance. I have said that over and over. It is true. If he were God's gift to football, they can't take him. Michigan turned him down. Do you think they didn't want his football skills? Are ND's standards lower than Michigan's? If you're really worried about the young man, don't. There are plenty of schools not so fastidious about their reputations. I am pleased that Notre Dame is not one of them.
@JoeSchulz Don't buy into the Michigan dropped him because of the whole tweet thing. They are in a numbers crunch. They are also rumored to be the ones to help "leak" the story. They also play ND every year, the other school in Wright's top 2....
@JoeSchulz The St. Mary's suicide thing was a blatant attack by the Chicago Tribune. Every so called "fact" against unamed player was refuted. People commit suicide for all types of reasons, and the player is no more in fault than any of her friends. It was a terrible tragedy what happened to that young lady, but the blame should not be pointed at those who are not guilty. You keep condemning those who are innocent in the eyes of the law. Either you were the worst defense attorney ever, or the most zealous prosecutor ever. Either way, that's not good.
You are right about my age. I was a lawyer for many years. I am, therefore, very careful about my words. I said, "If Yuri is really the animal that his tweets make him out to be, he is a danger to every student on campus." That is clearly true.
I don't believe the university should or will allow anyone to become a ND student, football player or not, who they have reason to believe may be a danger to the other students or the reputation of the university.
You are right. We will never agree.
@JoeSchulz Again... WHAT HAS HE DONE THAT WOULD MAKE ANYONE THINK THAT HE WAS A DANGER????!!!! Fictional writing? Listening to rap?
@thesubwaydomer All great points. I agree, give this kid a shot and help, if he needs it. Well done.
I obviously led a more sheltered life than you or Yuri. I never said this stuff at any time. I was a football player (not at ND) and a company commander in Vietnam, I have called some people some very graphic names; but I never broadcast anything like this stuff.
The real point is that we all talking about "giving this poor kid a chance." If he weren't a star football player, this discussion would not be happening. The university has to have standards and Yuri has revealed himself in no uncertain terms. Neither Kelly nor the administration can take that chance. If Yuri is really the animal that his tweets make him out to be, he is a danger to every student on campus. Neither Kelly nor the administration can take that chance.
@JoeSchulz Animal? What the fuck did he do? Is Stephen King an "animal"? What about JK Rowling- is she an "animal"? Putting words on paper, or in a digital forum doesn't demote you from a two-legged member of the human race to a grunting, hairy, 4-legged crawler of an animal.
Joe, I understand your opinion; I really do. However, just telling me that you were alive in the Vietnam era (thank you for your service) fills me in on your age, and therefore your view on these matters. We will never agree.
Unlike some of the other responding to your article I neither agree nor value your opinion. We all know that this wouldn't even be under discussion if he weren't one of the top DBs in the country. You wouldn't want him on campus. He is not a RKG. He is a problem for both Kelly and the administration if they accept him. Do you want him wandering over to St. Mary's looking for a date? If he did something wouldn't everyone say it was Kelly's and the administration's fault. We already know what's in his head. He has showed it to the world. This is a slam dunk, "No. Peddle your papers elsewhere, Yuri!"
Save me the RKG crap. That was a term used by Kelly at every stop in his coaching career and has no real marriage to ND and I'm tired of ND fans throwing it around like the terrible cliche that it is. Why would i care if he wants to date the girls at St. Mary's? Why can't he? WHAT CRIME HAS HE COMMITTED/???
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@JoeSchulz Regardless of whether or not ND should recruit him...think of the shit you said at his age. His mistake was putting that on a public forum.
Plus...who DOESN'T need pussy?
If the kid wants to come to South Bend you take him. I know that he said some dumb shit that should not have been posted on twitter. I did alot of shit when i was 17-18 and so did everyone else. Everybody throwing stones come off your high horse and bring this kid into the Irish family. Coach Kelly will give the kid some discipline and lets go from there.
Cont...
Which maturity is a part of anyway
3 & 5 are general requirements for all nd players. After 2 years he can get in trouble and get bad grades? As an upperclassman?
Why see a counselor? Is he mentally ill? Nd football players have plenty of resources including coaches who will look after his progress and maturity. Apologize and stay off twitter and go become a man, get an edu and play ball.
@bjc378 3 & 5 are now zero tolerance in a case like Yuri. And yes, he may have some issues. He doesn't have to be mentally ill to see a counselor, but a lot of his tweets (not just the "bad" ones) seemed like a cry for help and showed that he may have emotional issues. Get him the help needed.
@TheSubwayDomer@bjc378 emotional issues........COME ON MAN! The kid is 17. Kids do and say dumb shit. This kid will be fine if he can go to a program that will push him to better on and off the field and more important give him some discipline. I feel that Coach Kelly can give him what he needs and let him know this shit can not happen again.
@lightskin350@bjc378 He has no real parental supervision and does not like his mom. If that were me at 17- I would say that I probably had emotional issues.
On the guidelines:
I agree with #1 and #4.
On a redshirt: why automatically redshirt? Football has probably saved this kid's life. Football helps; taking away football for something he did before nd is punitive and probably counter productive. Leave it as a football descision
@bjc378 You redshirt him for the same reason as you would with a lot of freshman; time to adjust to campus life, academic calendar, and maturity. All I'm saying is that it would be automatic for Yuri, and ND would let him know those plans right away. Kind of like the Cheez-It commercials.
It will be interesting to see how it works out. If ND gives him a chance, I don't have any problem with it for the same reasons you brought up. I do hope that A) He learned from the situation, B) That this one night of questionable behavior doesn't follow him for years to come, and C) He finds success down which ever road life takes him.
My gut reaction to the situation was "Nope. We shouldn't have anything to do with him. It's not worth it for the school's image and reputation, we can find another player." BUT...then I read your post. Dammit Subway Domer! You make a good point. I think your guidelines for letting him attend ND in some way mirror the actions they took with Floyd. Factor in some "judge lest ye be judge", "turn the other cheek", etc and giving him support and a family to stay on that path to improvement makes sense and has a Christian-like tone to it. BUT...there's also a lot of risk betting on improving this young man's life than with the risk of keep Floyd on last season; they really seem to be two very different guys. I can see some people coming in saying that we aren't some reform school you send "bad" kids to and whip them into shape, you come into ND as a good kid and leave as a good man. So thanks, now I'm totally on the fence with this!
It is a different standard to be sure, and I'm not suggesting that it guide any coach's or school's policy, but would you want Yuri Wright to date your 17-year-old daughter? Would you be proud of that? Would try to form him as best you can within the context of that relationship? Or stay hands off and regard the relationship as none of your business trusting in your daughter's judgment?
Not trolling here.
No snark intented.
Not a rhetorical question.
Just genuinely interested in an honest answer as an ND fan and a dad.
@SteveinIowa1 No, I wouldn't- but standards for dating my daughter are far different than for those of what type of player I want at ND.
He should still graduate from HS, has the grades to get into ND, and as far as we know he hasn't had any run ins with the law. I really want to give him a chance (at ND- not with my daughter).
I just feel bad for this kid more than anything- he tweeted at the AA game that he was the only player without any family support there so clearly he didn't have a lot of structure growing up. I say you give him a shot with guidelines like those given above because more than wanting to see this kid dominate on the field, I don't want his life to be ruined over some silly tweets (that were admittedly extremely crude and unacceptable but many were LIL WAYNE LYRICS for the record). He's an 18 year old kid in the spotlight who made a mistake and he deserves to get a shot to redeem himself (provided his dismissal was just for tweets and not some other deeper issue) and improve himself as a young man- isn't that what these football programs are supposed to do- build character and shape these kids' lives?
@thesubwaydomer They should continue to recruit him. College & FB coaches are meant to help develop these kids. No issues with this guy.
Now this is why I read subway domer. I don't agree with you, but I respect the opinion. I understand the idea that you want to help a kid, here one who clearly has issues with respecting women/self. And if he had a commitment to ND already, it would be different. I just don't see it as a good decision from a coaching standpoint. Now if BK did do it, I totally agree with you on the guidelines line of thinking - almost like a mini Mike Floyd situation.
After reading NDFan12's comments, I think I am flip-flopping - I think I do agree with you after all that they should give him a STRUCTURED chance.
