Some of you may remember the uplifting story of Ray Ray McElrathbey, the Clemson running back who adopted his younger brother, Fahmarr, to save him from a crack-head mother and a father with a severe gambling problem. McElrathbey, who was at Clemson on a scholarship, didn't want his 11 year-old brother to go through the same hardships he did, so he became his legal guardian. The normally heartless NCAA even granted McElrathbey a waiver allowing him to accept money via a public trust fund to support Fahmarr. But earlier this week, Tommy Bowden informed McElrathbey that his scholarship would not be renewed, even though he has 2 years of eligibility remaining.
McElrathbey missed the entire 2007 season with a knee injury, and was cut (a) because of Clemson's plethora of running backs and (b) because the university needs to stay under the scholarship maximum of 85. McElrathbey was expendable.
But one scholarship for an extra tight end isn't going to determine whether or not the Tigers get a BCS bid. It's just not. The loss of one scholarship will, however, have a tremendous impact on the lives of two people.
Look, I get it. Bowden made the what he believed was the best move for the program. He has a job to protect, and it's painfully obvious that winning is paramount, and the lives of others outside of football are secondary.
Keep McElrathbey on the team until his scholarship is up, and follow through on a commitment you made to a kid in a unique situation. It's about more than football. It's about life. Responsibility. Integrity. You're teaching students, Bowden, and your lesson sucks.
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