Bryant verdict harsh, but necessary

Rohde, anyone with any objectivity (whichh is not you) would characterize the NCAA’s decision as “arbitrary and capricious” and inconsisent with similar infractions. The NCAA is protecting itself not the amateurism of the student-athlete. Bryant was not found to have taken money or other benefit that would bring into question his amateur status. I am sure you understand that and had this been Broyles, and not Bryant, your comment on the matter would be completely different.

You seem to be at odds with most national commentators on this, and with many of the Oklahoman’s own. Did you check to see that there was actually already a precedent for this, and it was 6 games (for an Alabama player, who lied about a real infraction, not a non-event like the Bryant case). Would that not be relevant? Why would the punishments differ? You’d expect, actually, that Bryant’s would be lighter, wouldn’t you? I’ve been consistently amazed how vindictive and cold you have been towards Bryant in this matter. Why choose not to address the similar case in your opinion?

It’s almost like you are gleeful about it.

You see Scott, Rohde is a tool and an unabashed OU homer who delights in such things happening to OSU and its players. Rohde and is ilk are not prepared for OSU catching and passing OU, and while they sense it happening, they will do what they can to disparage Gundy, Holder, and OSU.

Im an OU fan and think the Bryant situation is outrageous. The NCAA has so many stupid rules i would lie about eating a double cheeseburger if the NCAA asked me! But I guess Reggie Bush can accept hundreds of thousands of financial benefits and scape on by. NCAA has a hard on for screwing Oklahoma and is blatantly showing it.

Mark, while OSU is getting much better OSU has yet to win a Big 12 Championship or even a division championship. They have lost 6 in a row to OU and 11 to Texas. Start winning those games and then you can say they are catching up to OU.

I still can’t fathom this situation. Bryant lied about a non-violation. Let me repeat that…HE LIED ABOUT A NON-VIOLATION. My question to the NCAA is why are they even asking him about a matter that is a non-violation? To me this is entrapment. Should Bryant have lied? Obviously not, but how on earth can they justify suspending him for so long? Rhode just lost a ton of respect from me for this article and it looks like everybody else is in agreement with me (and I’m an OU fan). National Communists Against Athletes strikes again.

I realize John’s deep fandom for OU colors his perceptions, but I am trying to understand his glee at what happened to Dez. It’s a given that his reaction would have been entirely different had this been, say Jermaine Gresham or Murray. John is perhaps the only person walking who would dispute it.

Mark – this is the Martha Stuart/Scooter Libby movie all over again. The NCAA does NOT know if a violation has occurred UNTIL they investigate. If you were the investigator wouldn’t you be a little more suspicious if you were lied to (not once but apparently three times)?? Ask Martha/Scooter, no crime was committed in either case, but they got a free pass to visit the museum. Where was the OSU compliance officer in all of this? Why wasn’t he/she giving Bryant some advice – like tell the freakin truth? Having said all that, and for the record I am a long time OU fan, the punishment WAS excessive. But, like Martha/Scooter, a strong message was sent…

Just when I thought it might be cool to be sportswriter…

John-
I’m an OSU fan and I believe a year is a bit too much, but I appreciate your thoughts and writing. I’ll apologize for the rest of your readers.

Keep up the good work!

The NCAA has no investigative powers. They can not subpoena and put players before a judge to get sworn testimony. They can’t threaten with jail time for perjury. In reality, they really a limp noodle.

The depend upon cooperation of the people they investigate and if they don’t get cooperation, then they bring the hammer very very hard for what may appear to be small crimes.

I don’t know why this lesson has not been learned by the fans long ago. Its been an NCAA modus operandi for many many years. Just compare penalties of programs who have committed similar violations.

The bottom line is this, OSU told Bryant to get away from Sanders, he ignored the warning. He pays the price. Don’t mess with the NCAA. Just do not take your chances.

Very interesting list of comments. One thing is missing in just about all of them. THE KID LIED!!!!! There was absolutely no reason to. What jumps out at me is the focus on how he won’t be able to play football and how it may affect his career, not the fact that he purposely did wrong, mutliple times. This given the fact it was so easy to be a good example to the younger kids that may be looking up to him and just tell the NCAA what they asked. So does he make a turn around at this point in his life or just turn into another egotistical scum bag like we are used to seeing these days? Oh, by the way, I’m an OSU fan too!!

There’s no dispute that he lied. It’s that the punishment is excessive, and more bothersome, is the not-so-hidden joy Rohde has found in OSU’s player being suspended for the year.

Again Mark, yes the punishement is excessive, no doubt. But that is not the point.

This is the only investigative leverage the NCAA has at their disposal………….. period, end of story.

The message is spill your guts and you may get off easy, withhold information and get caught …… and they will hammer you with a vengeance.

I think the point IS the punishment is excessive. No doubt he lied. No doubt it was and is wrong. Yes, he deserves to be punished but the punishment MUST fit the crime. Do you send a guy to jail for 30 days because he told the cop that he wasn’t aware he was speeding although he new good and well that he was. NO! You write him the same ticket that you write everone else that speeds. In this case “The Bryant case” you suspend him for 6 games because that is the precedent or price of the “ticket” if you will. It is that simple. Just a thought from an OU fan.

Unbelievable – no violation, but a year’s suspension. Rohde would certainly say the suspension was justified. He has to fluff up himself as a “sportswriter”, just as the NCAA has fluffed up their organization with this suspension of one year for lying. I think the NCAA is still upset about having to shell out $750,000 to Andy Oliver and that witchhunt that just concluded recently. By the way, how’s the NCAA investigation proceeding concerning USC’s Reggie Bush? Anyone know? Do you Rohde?

I guess telling a lie, which most do to some degree on a daily basis, is worse than driving around in a free Lexus or “stealing” gas using a card most likely provided by a booster. Maybe Dez should of put his friend in intensive care then Rhode would have some empathy for his situation.

No Derek, the punishment does not have to fit the crime. I see many still don’t see what the NCAA is doing.

The NCAA is not the IRS . Their only investigative tool is extreme punishment for failure to cooperate.

When the NCAA investigated OU in the late 80’s, they were treated poorly by everyone in the OU AD. They got no cooperation. And when penalties were announced, OU got hammered and the arrogance from OU Admin was stated as part of the reason for the strict penalties.

At that same time, the Univ of Houston was also placed on probation for 5 times as many violations and far more severe violations, but received lesser penalty than OU. Because they did not lie to the NCAA and cooperated.

John Rohde wrote a column to that effect in December of 1988, the day after OU’s penalties were announced.

This is how the NCAA operates, it should not be a surprise.

I’m normally not one to side with the oSu fans who rip you constantly, Rohde, but you’re making it awfully hard not to side with them on this one. Can’t fathom why you’re wanting to pour salt on Dez’s (and oSu’s and oSu fans’) wounds at this point.

Dez – the NCAA is a joke. Go make your millions in the NFL and don’t look back.

Wow. John Rhode is the dumbest, most obese man in Oklahoma. How is this fair? Would you tell that to Dez’s face? He lied about NOT breaking a rule and you think this is fair? NOBODY likes you lard fuck. NOBODY thinks that this a fair punishment, but for some reason you do. It’s because you are completely in love with OU and you would probably eat out Bob Stoops asshole if he asked you to. You should retire and go lose some weight you fat blob

I have a bias because I am a OState alum, but come on John do you really believe this way or just getting people to read your blog? If you are biased then admit it before the article, but if you are going to make an argument for a verdict that seems like a complete injustice, provide some more substance to your blog.

Thanks,
Jason

I think that it is time for congress to look into how the NCAA affects interstate commerce. As much as I hate to admit it, even the current congress would be more fair the than this (of course congress critters have to face the voters.) This is a case of a bully who thinks that it will never be held accountable for beating up on a victim that couldn’t fight back. They tried that with Anderson, and ended up cutting a check for damages. Its time that they were brought to account.

Lynn, how stupid are you? Nobody is saying that Dez did not lie. The point, the whole point of fat-ass Johns blog, is that the punishment is fair. Is that clear enough for you?

The point of the comments is that the punishment is excessive. Do you get it now? Do I and everyone else have to explain it to you again?

For the life of me, Mr. Rohde, I can’t imagine or understand way you would make such absurd statements about Dez Bryants punishments. They are so far beyond reason and justification as to bring into question your mental capabilities. Since in most of your other articles you seem to demonstrate adequate intellect, one must deduce that you have some ulterior motive for saying these ridiculous things. Virtually no one else, except the members of the NCAA agree with you. Thus my conclusion that your comments are ridiculous; that plus my own opinion. So, if it is not incompetence, it is an ulterior motive. What could it be. Are you so lacking in compassion and understanding that you could not comprehend how a young man with Dez’ background and in Dez’ situation might assess a situation incorrectly and make a bad decision? Have you never made a bad decision, Mr. Rohde? Or is it that you have some other agenda at work here? Do you have the need to eschew common sense and basic fairness to promote something that is more important to you personally? Because that is certainly what you have done here., Mr. Rohde. You have thrown common sense, fairness, equity, balance, decency, and justice right down the drain; and like the NCAA, you have down so cavalierly, smug in your superiority, rendering your judgement safe from the security of your laptop or pc where the vagaries of the real world can’t touch you, but from where you can rain them down on the helpless subjects of your arrogant judgments of what is a “Proper Sentence.” Thanks Mr. Rohde we wouldn’t have been able to chart these waters without your gifted guidance.

One thing is for certain, nearly everyone disagrees with John, including the OU fans! That should send a message that he is wrong in his thinking. We all agree that he lied and should be punished. We understand that the NCAA relies on honesty to enforce its rules. However, when there is a precedent with Jerrel Harris at Alabama (who lied and received a benefit) receiving a six week suspension, this punishment makes no sense. Perhaps John should have done a bit more research. Although it is like my husband tells me everyday “Honey, the paper is published by the same Gaylords whose name appears at the top of OU’s stadium.”

No Bill , you are the idiot. The punishment is excessive BY DESIGN ……….. do you not get that ????

How hard is that to understand ??

You mislead the NCAA investigators and they will amp up the punishment …….. my gosh you people are dense. You are to stupid to understand you are stupid.

I just figured out the problem………. I’m rubbin elbows with aggies.

RhOUde Sucks! Hit the Road RhOUde!

As usual, Rohde is smoking crack.