Should Sooners take Chaisson?
Watching the Las Vegas court proceedings concerning OU recruit Justin Chaisson on Wednesday, I had the same feeling I had a year ago when the Sooners were still saying they would take Josh Jarboe: I’m glad it’s Bob Stoops’ responsibility and not mine.
Chaisson pleaded no contest Wednesday to four gross misdemeanors in Clark County, Nevada: two counts of false imprisonment, one count of malicious destruction of private property and one count of conspiracy to commit coercion and/or false imprisonment. Chaisson was charged with forcing his ex-girlfriend into a vehicle, driving her into the desert, placing a screwdriver against her neck and threatening to kill her.
Chaisson originally was charged with felonies, but those charges were reduced in a plea agreement, much like Jarboe a year ago, after he brought a gun onto school grounds. Bob Stoops gambled on Jarboe, then dismissed him when Jarboe made an amateur video, rapping about killing people.
There certainly is no reason to believe Chaisson received special treatment from Vegas authorities; pleas like this are made all the time, all over the country. But the court proceedings were unsettling, if for no other reason than I knew Chaisson’s attorney, Michael Cristalli, was lying, at least about Chaisson’s future schedule. Cristalli, in arguing to spread out Chaisson’s community service requirements on an annual rather than a weekly basis, said Chaisson would be tied up 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and when the judge asked when Chaisson would do schoolwork, Cristalli mentioned something about a 10 p.m. team study hall.
That’s nonsense, of course. Football players’ schedules are tightly packed, but football doesn’t go until 10 p.m. Study hall and homework certainly can come before that. Who would have thought: misrepresentation of the situation by an attorney.
The theme of the court discussion about community service centered on Chaisson being too busy. Of course, the judge could have been thinking that Chaisson getting the heck out of her town and going to school halfway across the country was community service enough.
Anyway, Cristalli certainly talked in court like he was working in cooperation with OU to get Chaisson freed to become a Sooner, and afterwards he told our man Jake Trotter that he had maintained communication with OU officials in working out a plea agreement that would allow Chaisson to retain his scholarship. OU policy forbids an athletic scholarship to someone who has been convicted of a felony.
The entire episode puts Bob Stoops in a bad situation. Carrying guns onto high school campuses, kidnapping and threatening to kill an ex-girlfriend, these are not actions that play well on the Oklahoma plains or much of anywhere else.
But coaches, laudably, believe they can positively impact wayward young men. And they can, though it doesn’t always happen. But coaches also are charged with maintaining a quality football program, pleasing not just to fans hungry for wins but a president and donors who want, and sometimes demand, a certain decorum. Stoops prides himself on running a solid ship, and he has, but it won’t take too many more recruits Josh Jarboe and Justin Chaisson to alter the image of OU football.
These are not easy decisions to make, and I wasn’t being flippant a year ago when I said I’m glad it’s Stoops’ responsibility. Not being flippant now. I believe in second chances. I also believe in keeping screwdrivers off girls’ necks.
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.
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Comments
“Stoops prides himself on running a solid ship, and he has”
Take the Sooner shades off guy, far from a solid ship… the program is on probation til 2010, Jarobe, this guys, Dusty, the drastic increase in secondary violations… yeah, you’re not biased. Stoops is in it to win games at all cost.
Maybe they can get this guy, too.
He’s from a private school, too. One offense, too. Skipped prison time by the skin of his teeth, too.
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/05/06/wheres-the-line-on-second-chances/
I expect more from Stoops than Kiffin.
“Who would have thought: misrepresentation of the situation by an attorney.”
Who would have thought: a biased generalization by a “reporter.”
As a father of a teen girl I would be very disappointed if OU took this kid. He made a mistake and there are punishments that come with mistakes. Someone will take a chance on this kid, but it should not be OU.
I wish to echo Jeremy’s sentiment. Thankyou, newsok, for following the story, shedding light on the ‘behind the scenes’ plea bargaining that went on. So, now, the ball is really in Stoops’ court. All of as fathers, with young daughters, want to send a message that this type of behavior signals problems in the future with this recruit. We don’t need him, we don’t want him, we can do better than this.
This kid made a BIG mistake and did something stupid. However, for all you self righteous types (or Stoops haters), how many of you did not make some bad decisions when you were 15-21? Stoops has a history of taking “questionable” athletes (like every other coach in football from the peewee leagues to the NFL) but he also puts them on a short leash. Jarboe didn’t even get to see a game from the sidelines. Stoops also cut two blue chip quarterbacks for infractions after they got in the program. If you will be honest, there isn’t a program out there, even the sainted Notre Dame, that doesn’t take a few “at risk” athletes. The difference with Stoops is how he handles them once they arrive. So climb off your high horse and lets see what happens from here. By the way, I am a father with three daughters.
Mr Tramel,
Your article states what I have thinking ever since I first read about Justin’s troubles several weeks ago. I share your concern for allowing young men or women who have experienced serious “brushes with the law” from participating in intercollegiate sports at my Alma Mater. Still, I recognize that the coaches and their staffs know much more about these inidividuals than we, the public. I pray that their decisions whether or not to extend athletic scholarships will be based upon the facts of each case, and the well being of the entire school community, not just the sports fans.
This is a no brainer. No way Stoops allows him on to the team. Too, entirely too violent of a story. If this doesn’t scare you off, what will? A tired rap?
Response to Gene – You’re right, young people make bad decisions and should be give a second chance. The rash Sooner football players that “forgot” to pay traffic tickets fall into this category. No big deal. This is different. Way different. This guy is trouble and will cause more problems than he’s worth.
Kind of agree with Gene in the sense that eveyone makes mistakes, sometimes really stupid ones. Just like I feel about my kids if arrested, you get punished by the court system and a free pass from me first time. Second time, I’m raising hell.
It was a really stupid thing, but it shouldn’t deny the guy the opportunity to get a college degree. Now if he continues to be a problem-cut him loose.
Response to Gene – I’m sorry, but punching a girl in the ribs, threatening to kill her, and actually holding a screwdriver to her neck is far worse than anything you did when you were 15-21 (at least I certainly hope so). Yes, sometimes people make mistakes and should be given second chances. On the other hand, sometimes–as should be the case this time–the crime is too great to be ignored and dismissed, regardless if it is now officially a “misdemeanor.” There is a difference between right and wrong, and the ability to play football should not trump that, especially when it’s as clear cut as it is in this case.
To Robert – I’m sure he’ll be able to get a college degree somewhere else. Perhaps Lane Kiffin will take him. But if Stoops ever wants to have the ability to say he runs a clean program (which many already doubt), he should take a stand now. It’s a no-brainer, as far as I’m concerned.
This young man is bad news. This isn’t just a little mix up. He actually kidnapped his ex-girlfriend and using a screwdriver threatens to kill her with it. If OU takes him, is is a great gain for Nevada and a loss for OU.
I certainly believe in second chances, but this young man’s actions are way over the line of decency.
Someone mentioned Self-Rigteous and that actually made me think. I’ve made mistakes young and old. But to take someone basically hostage with a screwdriver and threaten their life. I don’t know the background but who does that? Sorry, not going to happen. Yeah, if he wasn’t convicted then he should be allowed to do whatever. But playing football at OU aint the move. People get real. Unless I am missing something.
Berry, your a hard man. I always go with you though. I can’t beleive so many OSU and UT people read your words. It shows through in their coments. Espically those orange ones.
No he should not be allowed to attend OU. Like the Josh Jarboe situation last year this kid should NOT be allowed to come to OU.
Barry,
You are nieve if you think he didn’t get special treatment.
What bothers me most is that OU Athletics would help his lawyer at all. The plea bargin being “set up around OUs admission policy” bothers me alot. Make it sound like us at OU were part of the judicial process. The Adminstration should have stayed away, let justice take its course, then make a decision on allowing him to come to OU. Our involvement was gross.
Bring him to Norman. If the Marines (to which I belong) will take people with a criminal record why shouldn’t the Sooners. Being out of his usual environment and working towards multitple goals (getting an education, building character, being part of a team-just like the good USMC) could be what this young man needs to get his act and head together.
I guess some of you defeding this kid cannot read, this is his SECOND chance already. He was conviced April 29th for coercion and domestic battery..
Kid is not 13, kid was 18. Should be in prison. He is a repeat violent offender of women. Will be glad to have him out of Nevada. Hope you smart peole that support this criminal have a daughter, neice, grandaughter, friends daughter that goes to OU and meets this gentleman at a party when he has had a few beers.
Coach Stoops has been good at giving people second chances. So far it has not come back to bite him. I dont know this kid, but this seems far different than Dusty’s situation. If he does get the opportunity to come to OU, I hope he doesnt embarrass the school and the fans.
I’m a Tech fan, which apparently makes me automatically suspect.
However, Stoops has obviously begun to make major efforts to clean up OU’s program. He can send an important message about just how serious he is by NOT taking this kid.
Both the schoolteacher part AND the “father of 2 daughters” part of me are sending alarms that this kid is very bad news.
I am an OU grad. I love OU football. I don’t want Chaisson anywhere near Norman, Oklahoma. The result was a misdemeanor, the actions were felonious. He kidnapped a girl and took her out to the desert and held a screwdriver to her throat. Anyone who thinks this kid isn’t going to be any further trouble has there head in the sand. He has some serious issues. He will never help us win games. He will promote a bad-boy image, like the one that accompanied Miami’s glory years. Hopefully, we learned something from the late 1980’s. Let this kid prove himself elsewhere.
“Runs a solid ship”. Bomargate, Big Red Auto, NCAA probation through 2010….ring a bell? This is the type of OU homer thinking that got a Switzer’s name on a building. Pathetic and sad.
You guys keep bringing up all these past cases and claiming OU is a corrupt program, but there is an underlying theme that you dolts are all missing; everyone of those problem children were booted off the team. The difference between OU and other programs is that OU actually holds these guys accountable for their actions while most other programs bury these stories before anyone can find out (USC Bush/Mayo?). How many other elite coaches would can their starting QB that close to the beginning of the season with virtually no legitimate replacement? Zero. Stoops has said every single player is responsible for his actions from starting QB to third string special teamer. There will be no special treatment.
As far as Chaisson is concerned, no way Stoops should (and I don’t think he will) take this guy. This wasn’t underage drinking or some “dumb kid” mistake and it was not his first violent incident. If he wants a second (third) chance, as Richard mentioned above, the USMC is where he should go. Doubtlessly, if OU drops him he will end up at some other school though.
Can someone present a solid case about why this kid should be allowed on a college campus or allowed to be in the general public at all instead of in juvie or prison for a few years? If you can’t in good faith make that argument, how can you say he should be given a scholarship? While people do deserve second chances, there also need to be and should be repercussions for this type of violent behavior. IMO, this kid should be forced to earn his way D-I through JUCOs at best, he made a monumental mistake and should have to prove that he can stay on the straight and narrow before making it to the big time.
He would NEVER be admitted to OU or any university as a student due to these past actions, so why should he be allowed to play D-I football? Rules are bent everyday in admissions when it regards athletes, but is there no line in the sand? Is there nothing a kid can do for a university to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH when it comes to troubled star recruits? Do you have to actually be locked in a cell not to get a scholarship if you are a stud recruit? Kidnapping a girl and threatening her life with a screwdriver in Nevada may not put someone in jail in that state, for some absurd reason, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t where he belongs and it absolutely doesn’t justify OU allowing him to step foot on a college campus as a student.
“Bad Decisions made between 15-21″ for the rationale/non-crazy person/college student between those ages are such things as being ticketed for Minors in Possession of Alcohol/Pot, a DUI, or maybe even petty crimes in a rough neighborhood. This is violent behavior, to try and blend the line between stupid decisions and violent ones is misguided and disingenuous. The kid committed a violent crime against a WOMAN only months ago, his best case scenario should be a half way house, not a college scholarship. While athletes do not need to be role models, if they are on a college campus they at least should not be ex-cons that have committed violent acts against women.
Stoops deserves no credit for taking in already proven nut cases and then dismissing them when they predictably screw up yet again. I think that’s called being naïve and being overly consumed with winning to the point that it clouds his judgment. He needs to say that if you want to play at an elite program like OU, then there are certain expectations that you must meet. A simple one could be that your past behavior shouldn’t make female students on campus afraid to be in your presence. It’s not asking the moon to require recruits to be half decent people and decent citizens.
. Comparing USC’s troubles (which are internal problems with boosters, which I believe OU has had also under Stoops too i.e. Rhett Bohmar) with OU taking in a kid with a violent criminal record is completely off-base. USC made a mistake by offering inappropriate benefits to players that were already enrolled. If OU admits this kid, they are stating that they are willing to take any prized recruit, regardless of criminal background. Prized recruits who make mistakes on this level are very rare, maybe once a recruiting cycle, OU has such an amazing staff/facilities/tradition that they can build a great program without them, and are better off without all the drama and baggage these kids bring.
I can’t wait for this kid to get booted from OU and resurface as a Cincinnati Bengal in a few years.
Yes, we all made mistakes in our youth, but this wasn’t just a mistake, this borders on psycho. You hold a screwdriver to someone’s throat, especially someone who is incapable of doing any harm to you, and you’re not right in the head. He will mess up again, no question about it. Might even follow through on a threat next time. Take a chance on the kid that doesn’t pay a parking ticket, or even one that gets caught smoking a joint at a party. Those are mistakes. This nutjob deserves no more chances.
I wrote the following comment under the article about Chaisson getting the plea deal……
I am a die hard sooners fan. I’m glad we got Chaisson, or at least i was until this happened. Any guy that hits a woman for any reason is nothing but a damn punk. Now if the woman had pulled out a knife or a gun and had started the whole thing, then by all means she would deserve to get hit to protect your life. But what Chaisson did was clearly just being a damn punk woman beater. I hope the sooners take away his scholorship.
hey tramel, i went to that site that jim williams mentioned……man that sports writer guy Evan WeinerGo really hates you for dissing hocky lol…..frankly i dont like hocky myself and could care less if OKC got a hocky team or not……..but you should for sure fire back at this guy for cutting you so low.
I say the Vegas kid should stay. Stoops took Broyle’s and
Divorcek, not to mention Gresham, Stephenson, and who else.
Bob’s not Barry, and far from it. Barry had the second best team in the Big 8 setting on the bench, Bob doesn’t. Lets
not kid ourselves, Big Game Bob is history. When Mike left,
Big Game Bob went with him, he needs all the help he can
get, thug or no thug.
Ok here is how I see it, I might be completely wrong but it is what I gathered from reading several posts around the web.
1) Chaisson accussedly hit his ex-girlfriend in the ribs.
2) He then proceeded to throw her in his car and drive her out to the desert.
3) At some point in the night presumably while in the desert he holds a screwdriver to her neck.
4) While in the desert he threatens to kill her.
5) After all this happens he takes her back home and someone calls the cops on him.
As far as I know this is the story most of us are recieving without assuming that he is guilty. Ok now for what we know has happened. He was charged with 4 felonies origionally and the Vegas DA made a deal with him to reduce the charges down to gross misdomeners. In return for this Chaisson was required to enter a plea of nolo contendre.
Thus he ended up with a few years probation and a 120 hours of community service if I’m not mistaken.
Possible explinations for all of this.
1) The kid did everything and more. He is a complete psycho and he deserved to go to jail. Only the might of OU and his fathers money kept him from any serious jail time or felonies on his record.
2) The kid is truly a screwed up individual that deserves jail time but there is no proof of any of this happening and the DA never had a case so he got what he could and hopes the next time it happens Chaisson is in Oklahoma.
3) Chaisson and his girlfriend had a fight she broke up with him and he went a little retarded like most of us do when it comes to women. He probably did many things wrong and she probably exagerated a bit because she was scared.
4) The girl in question was Chaissons crazy ass ex and like many females have done throughout the years lied to hurt him. Be it from a girl claiming rape that never happened or telling someone she is pregnate with their child. Sometimes women do stupid things when they deal with men.
Now for my best guess as to what has happened I am going to go with 3. The kid probably did threaten to kill her hell he might have even been holding a screw driver but I find it dificult to believe that he would seriously threaten someones life with a screwdriver. As for punching her in the ribs who knows that seems a little far fetched to me he might have bruised her ribs while trying to get her in his car but if you were going to punch a girl wouldn’t you go for the face just like you would a man. I don’t know just my thoughts.
I’ve gone through enough screwed up break ups that it seems the only sensible answer to any of this to me. I do think that Bob Stoops should let the kid go to OU just like he did with Jarboe. Oh and to people who say the Jarboe case was different your right Jarboe brought a gun to a school. instead of possibly threatening one life he was putting an entire school at risk. Just remember to keep an extremely short leash on him Bob. The he cant hurt your school too much except in the eye’s of Sooner haters already.
Oh yea P.S. I’m a Horn just think that this kid needs a break. And that Bob Stoops is really too good a coach to catch all this hate.
P.S.S. ou SUCKS!!
How many “gross misdemeanors” does it take to equal one felony?
I’m guessing that Chaisson Senior’s money, and OU football’s influence, have gotten young Justin a lighter sentence than the average 18-year old would receive in such a situation.