Why am I supposed to hate Craig James?

[Big Hoss]

Stallion, there is a difference in saying something is wrong with the program and using examples to support your argument vs. making a joke about your school on national TV. Craig James chose to do the latter on several occasions. If you don't see the difference, then we can agree to disagree.

[Stallion]

in 2001 or so June Jones as Head Coach of Hawaii castigated the Athletic Department at SMU stating that SMU wasn't on a even playing field due the academic restrictions

[Big Hoss]

in 2001 or so June Jones as Head Coach of Hawaii castigated the Athletic Department at SMU stating that SMU wasn't on a even playing field due the academic restrictions

That would be an example of the problem, not a punch line of a joke. Does that help to clarify the the difference?

[Stallion]

No I think all of you are full of [deleted] especially the ones spouting loyalty to SMU while posting vicious criticisms of one of SMU's All-Time Greats. I'm one SMU Fan that is going to call you out-apparently everyone else thinks it is alright

[Big Hoss]

You are nothing if not holier than thou. Gimme a break.

[Oliver]

Quick question. Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that CJ was never connected to the death penalty, is there any proof he took money/cars/extra benefits?

I'm trying to come up with an appropriate response to the statement below that was made on another blog I follow, and because I'm a young ponyfan, I would like to have the facts straight before I offer my take on it.

This is from another sports site quite obviously, and I would like to be able to defend a fellow Mustang, and offer a take from an SMU fan's side, even if Craig hasn't been the most openly loyal alum.

Here's the comment..

"Craig who?

There used to be someone named Craig James who took money to play college ball and got his program killed. But as far as I am concerned, there is no Craig James. Everyone wants his child to succeed, but to use your bully pulpit to get a coach fired because in the final analysis you disagreed with the playing time your son was getting is just wrong. But, like OJ, the late Craig James will get away with this. This whole rigmarole will be forgotten. Craig Junior will learn a valuable life lesson, and that is that if you’re the son of a former pro football player and a current blowhard, er, announcer on espn (can no longer capitalize that group), you’re not answerable for anything. Craig Junior just learned that he’s entitled to whatever he wants.

Anyway, there is no Craig James as far as I am concerned, and there is no espn."

[Big Hoss]

No point in arguing with anyone that would compare Craig James to OJ Simpson.

[Oliver]

No point in arguing with anyone that would compare Craig James to OJ Simpson.

obviously that was a bit over board, but its a UCLA site, so most commenters will take any opportunity they can take a poke fun at USC. This came from an educated commenter who normally offers very fair takes, and I'm certian he doesnt actually think the OJ and Craig James situations are comparable.

[Oliver]

I decided to try and respond with what I know, hopefully this is a fair assessment

"I'd like to offer my take on this

For starters, while I don’t think Craig James’ time at SMU should have anything to do with this current situation, Craig has never been linked to any illegal activity or extra benefits as an SMU student. In fact, he committed to SMU before it was “cool” to go there, as he arrived just on the cusp of our early 80s hay day. Supposedly he made his decision to go SMU because his girlfriend was going there. Obviously though, other players on his team were receiving extra benefits and payments from a slush fund, I’d just like to point out that he was never found guilty of this.

Secondly, while there may have been a way to handle this more privately, to my knowledge, Craig did not make any on air comments about this until after it was announced that Leach was put on probation, and that it was reported by espn that Adam (Craig Junior) was linked to the situation. I don’t see any way Craig could have avoided being interviewed, being that he is WWL color commentator, and ironically, was scheduled to cover the Michigan St.-Texas Tech Game.

Regarding Adam (Craig Junior) James, I’ve heard enough to believe that he is a prima donna, and that he feels entitled to more than he has worked for. But regardless of his character and work ethic, I don’t believe Leach’s decision to throw him in an electrical closet because he wouldn’t practice was appropriate either. Therefore, I’m not sure I can blame Craig for bringing this forth to the university, I imagine many father’s concerned about a son that recently suffered a concussion would do the same.

My opinion is that this is really more about the school’s frustration with Leach after last year’s contract negotiations, and were looking for an excuse to throw him out without pay. I believe the school has turned what would normally be a fixable situation, into a reason to fire Leach, because the school was already fed up with Leach’s insubordinate behavior and frankly his ego.

I just don’t agree with the personal attack of Craig James in regards to this matter, and think the focus should be more on his son’s behavior, Leach’s behavior, and the school’s behavior, and thats the only reason I decided to write up this long winded post. As you may know, I’m an SMU student, and felt obligated to defend a fellow Pony. : )"

[bubba pony]

I think your answer is excellent. For what it’s worth I just read CJ’s book and he once again says he did not receive money or perks from SMU. Further his girlfriend’s sister went to SMU, then his girlfriend (now wife) followed her sister, then he followed his girlfriend.

I for one, like CJ and I am glad he has done well.

[EastStang]

So Craig James cracked a few jokes about the SMU football team on National TV. Does anyone here deny that from the death penalty to this year, we've plainly stunk on the field? You can either laugh when you walk by the graveyard or you can cry. When other announcers teased Craig over the years on TV about the sorry state of the Mustang program, he can laugh it off, or get all pissy and deny the obvious. I have never met Craig, but he's one of the best players to ever wear an SMU uniform. He's one of ours, and his kid was being abused by the Pirate. Give the guy a break!

[Dooby]

Quick question. Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that CJ was never connected to the death penalty, is there any proof he took money/cars/extra benefits?

I'm trying to come up with an appropriate response to the statement below that was made on another blog I follow, and because I'm a young ponyfan, I would like to have the facts straight before I offer my take on it.

This is from another sports site quite obviously, and I would like to be able to defend a fellow Mustang, and offer a take from an SMU fan's side, even if Craig hasn't been the most openly loyal alum.

Here's the comment..

"Craig who?

There used to be someone named Craig James who took money to play college ball and got his program killed. But as far as I am concerned, there is no Craig James. Everyone wants his child to succeed, but to use your bully pulpit to get a coach fired because in the final analysis you disagreed with the playing time your son was getting is just wrong. But, like OJ, the late Craig James will get away with this. This whole rigmarole will be forgotten. Craig Junior will learn a valuable life lesson, and that is that if you’re the son of a former pro football player and a current blowhard, er, announcer on espn (can no longer capitalize that group), you’re not answerable for anything. Craig Junior just learned that he’s entitled to whatever he wants.

Anyway, there is no Craig James as far as I am concerned, and there is no espn."

In "Payroll to Meet" (THE BOOK ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY WRITTEN IN THE 80's) it says Craig James never took any money an drove the same [deleted] Honda Civic the whole time he was at SMU. And, yes, he went to SMU because his girlfriend went to SMU.

[soccermom]

I have never thought to put Craig in the "paid player" category and for those of you who are younger than I am and are just now--thankfully--experiencing Mustang Mania--Craig James was one reason I experienced it as a student/young alum. I don't think any of us should hate Craig James, or his son, and I am so glad that this is TT's mess and not ours!! I think you did a great job on your post defending/explaining the situation and I find it pathetically sad that someone would even think, much less post, to compare Craig to OJ. That person needs to be put in a mental hospital!

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

It ALWAYS completely amazes me when people say.."..I only met him once and he was a complete jerk..." Really? Once? Complete jerk? Wow..what were the circumstances? This holds NO water for me...I met him once and thought he was cool..so.......glad he is a Mustang...LOVED what he did and will do for this program....GO Ponies!!

[Dooby]

in 2001 or so June Jones as Head Coach of Hawaii castigated the Athletic Department at SMU stating that SMU wasn't on a even playing field due the academic restrictions

It was October 2003, but whatever.