Redemption Naughty Nine

[ponyte]

Lets start the controversy.

Near the end of Pony Excess, Turner says all Alumni are welcome back into the SMU family. I believe that should include the Naughty Nine, Clements, Cox and all the others involved in the SMU problems of the late 80s. I know for some it will not be possible (passed on). But for those still alive and wanting to be part of SMU, it is time to accept them back.

We have finally overcome the horrors of that penalty. Now it is time to forgive and move forward together.

Those involved didn't do it to harm SMU, they did it to improve SMU. ANd all of us basked in that glory.

They didn't do anything illegal or immoral (Can't find Thou shall not pay players to win). Yes, they violated rules to a voluntary organization, but committed no crimes.

They have paid a price. Imagine if SMU band any of us for doing something the University knew about and approved. They have paid the price, now it is time to allow them back.

The Death Penalty wasn't a life penalty. Yes it took many years to overcome and the intervening years have been torture. But it too has finally ended. So to should SMU's band on those few individuals.

Just as the parodical son was accepted back, so to should our parodical alumni.

[gostangs]

Nope

[couch 'em]

I'm sure if someone, let's say Sherwood, wanted to quietly donate money, he could do so via the private CoC membership, or publicly via his non-banned son......

[ponyte]

I have been contacted by someone that was very important in my development as an athlete. Down on his luck and needing money. I made a few calls and found what I had suspected, he had hitting up a lot of folks over the years for money. And all believed that chemical dependance was the source of his problems. And some had been burned by him. None were willing to help with cash but all would go to great lengths to help should this individual choose to enter rehab.

That is why I am thinking of redemption for those associated with the DP.

People are harmed by others all the time but then are willing to forgive and sacrifice to help others. Being taken advantage of by someone else didn't equal a life decision to never associate with the chemically dependent guy. There was genuine concern for his well being and a desire to help turn his life around. There was forgiveness and the hope of redemption in all I talked to.

These guys have had very real personal harm, not the lack of a football team to support. Yet all have it in their heart to forgive and even help.

That to me is a very powerful and positive characteristic. And it lead me to wonder if we can do this for one fellow, then we should be able to do it for others. IF we can forgive others that have harmed us, then we can forgive the Naughty nine and others. They have paid for their actions. They too have suffered. ITs time to forgive and heal and move forward together.

[SMU89]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jv2pzNPS3Y

[mustangxc]

I am in favor, just make sure we have the best compliance officer in the country. Forget top 25 I mean number 1!!!!

[mrydel]

I am with you Ponyte. Just wonder how willing some of them would be to come back into the fold after how they were treated.

[mustangbill67]

How many of the 9 other than Sherwood received a lifetime ban?

[WildBillPony]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jv2pzNPS3Y

Someone's got to be kidding, Lord, Kumbaya....

[mustangbill67]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jv2pzNPS3Y

Someone's got to be kidding, Lord, Kumbaya....

1963 on the hill top

[Junior]

How many of the 9 other than Sherwood received a lifetime ban?

i thought they all did.

[peruna81]

ponyte-

Just as Thad's work is another chapter in catharsis, so is Dr. Turner's welcome mat extended to ALL alumni...it is past due.

I like redemption...it provides room enough for me at a table i couldn't afford to be at otherwise.

[Pony!Poni!Pone'!]

How many of the 9 other than Sherwood received a lifetime ban?

i thought they all did.

the obit posted elsewhere for Appleton mentioned he had a 2-year ban.

I say cmon back. We need the IPF $. How about the Sherwood Q Blount Jr Indoor Football Practice Facility, and the Andrews Band Hall?

[alyssa]

It's fine to me for anyone to be welcomed back so long as they play by the rules.
But, honestly, I'm still very angry at the missed opportunity for those of us who were freshman in 1987. Of course, I did not play football but I grew up around it and have always been a fan.

A friend of mine wanted to play for SMU but instead went on to be a star QB at a powerhouse program. That was 1987!! Same with another friend who went on to a different big program and started 3 years at TE. That was 1987!! Another friend who played WR was considering SMU very heavily in 1987. He was being recruited by 1A programs but decided to go to a smaller school that allowed him to play more than 1 sport. That was 1987!!
Even I skipped coming to SMU in 1987 although I had planned for it for many years. Instead, I returned in 1991 to earn a Master's.
The DP hurt a lot who wanted to be Ponies with all their hearts.
So when it comes to that past, I have love and anger. They come as a pair.
I loved the Matula's program. I think it did well to make the people who did not know realize that SMU was punished badly but was not treated fairly because many other programs should have received equally harmful treatment.

[One Trick Pony]

The paper says none were banned for life anyways...