What to do for Mike Reed
I’ve been besieged today with emails from people wanting to know what they can do for OU linebacker Mike Reed and his family, who are struggling financially while he tries to get his degree and play football.
And here’s my answer. Go help someone else. If you really feel moved to reach out and do something, go help someone else in need. That’s not as satisfying as helping someone whose story you know so well, courtesy of the Sunday Oklahoman, but it’s the best move.
Any public help for Reed could be a violation of NCAA rules. Getting publicized because you’re a football player, then receiving benefits from that publicity, is an improper benefit. I am as frustrated as anyone when NCAA rules seem to conflict with common decency, but the rules exist for a reason. They are solid rules and necessary rules.
Mike Reed and his family will continue to struggle financially. But they don’t seem to be poor in spirit, which is even worse. His wife says she has what she wants — her children’s father with them and her — and Mike Reed goes through life with a smile on his face. And Reed’s children will have a decent Christmas. I checked.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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As I told you before, many people have to face up to their responsibilites. Many can not follow their dreams, but have to work, go to school and not have more children, that they can not afford. I feel concerned for people like the Reed’s and hope he enjoys every bit of life. But sometime I wonder when people are going realize that life is hard and dreams are just that. Let us all hope his children do not suffer and have a very merry Christmas.
I believe in your two articles of Sunday, you were trying to show the difference of how the schools and coaches have it pretty good, and the players are the ones who have it hard. Reed and Stoops are the antithesis of such a story.