Double Standard?

[peterwho]

Miami Northwestern wins 6A title

Miami Gardens -- The Miami Northwestern football team refused to allow distractions leading up to the Class 6A title game stand in the way of taking home the school's third state championship.

Northwestern's standout running back, Antwain Easterling, who was arrested on Thursday on charges of lewd and lascivious battery, was cleared to play by the school's principal.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-sp6astatefoot10dec10,0,7512679.story?coll=sfla-sports-front

A synopsis of the background: a 19-year old high school football star, a 16-year old and a 24-year old have "consensual" sex with a 14-year old. A complaint is filed and the three are arrested, charged (with a felony) and bond out.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/high_school/miami_dade/16186695.htm

Regarding the 19-year old high school football star:

He's not suspended from school.

He's not suspended from the team.

He's "cleared to play by the principal" for the state finals.

Does anyone else have an issue with this or am I the only one?

[laxfan25]

I'm just surprised that you're shocked that this happened - it's FOOTBALL, remember? Gotta keep the priorities straight. Besides, she was 14, but she looked 16 and she wanted it.

[shrekjr]

The argument will be why take away the child's educational opportunity and his ability to show his talents to the college masses, thus hindering his ability to be recruited by the State of Florida Prison System football team...a.k.a. University of Miami.

He obviously didn't break any team rules, and he is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I'm sure no one ever told him specifically not to have sex with a 14 year old so until he's told otherwise, it's not his fault!

[Sonny]

I don't think anyone charged with a felony should participate in extra-curricular activities at the high school, college, or pro level.

[shrekjr]

I don't think anyone charged with a felony should participate in extra-curricular activities at the high school, college, or pro level.

I tend to agree , but at the risk of sounding like a bleeding liberal (which couldn't be further from the truth), there are occasions when those charged are actually innocent. In those rare cases, by not allowing participation in any part of that persons normal life completely violates the "innocent until proven guilty" premise. It's a lose/lose situation either way.

[Danny Hogan]

northwestern romped over my alma mater (lake brantley) 38-14 in the 6a final. First time brantley ever went to the state final.


on another note, if that kid is 19 now, he'll be turning 20 the year he graduates HS? i didn't think that was allowed.

[sohotrightnow]

I tend to agree , but at the risk of sounding like a bleeding liberal (which couldn't be further from the truth), there are occasions when those charged are actually innocent. In those rare cases, by not allowing participation in any part of that persons normal life completely violates the "innocent until proven guilty" premise. It's a lose/lose situation either way.

Wow, I think we have a winner for post of the year. On OCCASION, people charged are actually innocent? It happens way more often then you think. Would you rather adopt China's legal system under the premise that people are guilty until proven innocent?

If this article from 1998 does not shock you, then I don't know what will: http://www.economist.com/research/backg ... _id=177541

Now, can you imagine the "lesser" crimes that occur, and the number of individuals who are found guilty even though they may be innocent.

[Danny Hogan]

i was 19 my whole sophomore year of college

[Jolly Roger]

but Danny, you were also 21 as a sophomore, right?

oops, my bad, you didn't play at Florida State

[Danny Hogan]

but Danny, you were also 21 as a sophomore, right?

oops, my bad, you didn't play at Florida State

zing!

[Beta]

Duke's season ends over accusations. But this 19 year old guy has sex with a 14 year old (disgusting, I dont care who you are), and they let him play football? Wow...props to the coach and admin for showing just how much they put football over morals/standards.

[devildog0351]

Joe,

I agree with you 100%. That is wrong, and inexcusable!

[peterwho]

Update.

From the Miami Herald:

Miami police on Thursday arrested three men, including the star of the Miami Northwestern High football team, on charges they had consensual sex with a 14-year-old student in a women's bathroom at the school.

A fourth man was arrested on similar charges after the girl told police she had sex with him off school grounds.

Antwain Easterling, 19, who admitted to police that he had sex with the girl, was charged with lewd and lascivious battery, a second-degree felony, according to police.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/16192116.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_sports

To me, the question now is not one of guilt or innocence, but consequences (I applaud the kid for admitting to the act).

The fact that this occurred on school grounds, ought to have resulted in a rather harsh response from the principal/school board to all involved. In reality, it will open them up to a lawsuit.

I think the actions speak volumes about priorities.

P.S. For all you conspiracy theorists - his aunt has been quoted that she believes he was "set up".

[shrekjr]

P.S. For all you conspiracy theorists - his aunt has been quoted that she believes he was "set up".

See, I told you it wasn't his fault!

[Zeuslax]

Another thing to remember here is this took place outside of the school system. This didn't happen on a field trip. Now there may be some ethical questions here as far as commitment to ethics and citizenship in regards to the football team, but that is just speculation. From the outside looking in, the kid wouldn't play on my team........he was obviously in a bad situation and probably not associated with the best crowd.