ST413

The question is is the punishment too severe. I have had mixed feelings on this and posted on the silsbee/WOS thread what I thought was a good suggestion. It was a suggestion from WOS99 in response to a similar act by the Celina QB. "I am all for giving the kid options. A harsher punishment - an extended suspension or even removal from the team - or a less severe (but still tough) penalty in exchange for a public show of contrition - maybe an open letter or statement of apology and some form of community service. A show of humility. Let him choose." on the second part I don't feel just an apology and community service but some lesser suspension would be a part as well. This young man has already made an apology and accepted his mistake. I have seen enough of people knocking him down. His responded in the wrong way but none of us have heard or know exactly what caused him to make a bad decision. I am not even going to guess. I have known him for a few years now and he is not the villain some are making him out to be. He will learn from this and be a better person for it. Now in saying that I also have to say I have seen some comments that seem to be wanting to look at this like it didn't happen or was a minor incident. That cAnt be the case either. As much as I feel for Devon he handled the situation in the wrong way and has to pay the price for that decision. i for one will be ther for any support he needs and will be behind my Tigers all the way to SA.Lets quit trying to add to the situation and be part of the "recovery".

This has been on my mind all day, and I surely can't condone the act. I am still not sure though exactly where I stand on the punishment. It had to be dealt with and had to be dealt with sternly. I still think I feel that in my opinion, the best idea may have been that presented earlier in the year in response to the Celina QB by WOS99: " I am all for giving the kid options. A harsher punishment - an extended suspension or even removal from the team - or a less severe (but still tough) penalty in exchange for a public show of contrition - maybe an open letter or statement of apology and some form of community service. A show of humility. Let him choose." i supported that decision then and I still think it would have been good today. Notice the and in their after the apology part and in addition to the apology and community service a lesser suspension should have gone with it.

I don't know the answer to that but based on them allowing the Celina Qb to keep playing I doubt they would.

Have seen that Devon is out for the year , Adams 1 game and no suspension for Tyler supposed to be confirmed from Coach Sigler.

Have seen that as well.

I can understand that but that wouldn't be right or agreed to.

May take a few extra which I am sure will be there anyway.

Definitely will be missed. No doubt about it.

I listened to JP many times in the 80s. He will be missed.

I supported this idea then and still do now. Either choice is not easy!

Exactly best post I have read. I have told the young man the exact thing.

I don't think calling hand check fouls had anything to do with it. And as far as LCM hanging around, they did a good job but the Tigers were starting to build their lead.

No not saying that at all. I just feel there was something else there maybe words during the game maybe before the game or heck in the past game or year. I just don't see why if you were going to sucker punch someone you would pass several others that would be right there to get you, to get to someone who was a little smaller.

I don't know if being the smaller player had anything to do with it. I don't know anything about it and won't condone or defend it but I bet there was something there besides being the smaller player.

I don't know. But I don't know that the uil can take anything into consideration except reports and video from the game. And I can't remember any other incidents Devon has had in the past that would be in a report or anything like that. I can say I have never seen anything from him like this. I didn't see the Wos incident, couldn't have from where I was. I was told by 2 people that an incident happened but was told 2 different names. The BC incident I missed as well but did see the stoppage when the coach went into the floor. But either way no penalties documented these. So I don't know. Now I will say from my viewpoint a push even a push to the face is one thing, needs to be addressed for sure. But punches or a push with force is another level.

I don't think this game could have continued even if teams had players, at least not with fans. It was way too heated in there. Besides I don't think anyone remained on either bench.

Question: Should the uil handle this any different than they did the qb that jumped on the players ankles. Both are the same type actions. And what was the uil's response to that situation. If what I read was right he played in the playoffs. I am not looking for leniency or anything like that but I do feel the uils response should be basically the same.

I don't disagree with that statement. But any sucker punch should have more punishment than just being involved should have.

You are right and parents did get involved and separated players. But the first ones on the floor weren't parents.

I love seeing the quick apology. I will always be a fan of Devon's. We all make mistakes. It's how we learn from them and our actions from that point on that make us who we are!

This really bothers me. I am a huge fan of this young man. I hope he realizes from this what just a rash decision in a few seconds can cost you. It reminds me a lot of the qb jumping on the players ankle in football. Punishment will be dealt, not sure exactly what it will or should be. I hate to see a young mans future suffer big consequences from a bad decision in such a situation. As far as the rest of the situation it was one of those that happen many times. It was handled quickly and well. That gym is one where it could get out of hand quickly, not much space around the floor. Hopefully this can be put behind us and we can go on. We all have to remember these are kids that still need our guidance, support and teaching. They have to deal with the repercussions of their actions. Hopefully the lessons will be learned.

Yes I just saw that. No excuse to me for that action.

I will say this the Tiger player involved at the beginning of this is one of if not the least likely on the team to be involved in anything like this. All he does day in and day out is go in and play his game. It's rare you even see much emotion out of him. Now he did have a push in there at the beginning but I saw the pushing and shoving going on and I will bet there was even more that I could see and I was maybe 30 feet away.

Not making it about race at all just distinguishing between the two players could not remember that players number. No where have you seen me blame or state that it was because of race. So instead of trying to take it there you need to grow up!