UGA fans should curb their enthusiasm over Rogers’ arrest
That rumble you heard earlier today was the sound of laughter rolling across the great state of Georgia. Da’Rick Rogers, the receiver from Calhoun who famously spurned the Bulldogs to sign with Vince Dooley’s son at Tennessee, was arrested in Knoxville at 1:50 a.m. for disorderly conduct after what we old folks used to call a barroom brawl.
(If you haven’t read esteemed colleague Chip Towers’ explanation of the matter, please do. The Chipster is to college recruiting as Target is to shopping — comprehensive and classy.)
It’s human nature to delight in the misfortune of a rival, especially a rival that snatched a recruit who’d committed to you eight months before Signing Day. But we must also note, for the sake of fairness, that the Georgia program isn’t immune to arrests — not of teenage athletes, not even of a 40-year-old athletics director.
I was talking to a Georgia Tech man last weekend, and he was trying — and mostly succeeding, I should report — not to chuckle over Damon Evans’ plight. Because we old folks can tell you young ‘uns that the fan base that laughs today is invariably the next to be embarrassed. (It’s uncanny how that works, but work it does.)
No school holds the patent on good behavior. No school can ever be inoculated against the misjudgments of young athletes, or even 40-year-old ADs. I understand why Georgia fans find Rogers’ arrest amusing, but I’ve also been around long enough to caution against irrational exuberance.
There’s always another arrest waiting to happen in a college town, and that town could well be yours. Bradley’s Rule: Tempt not the football gods by busting a gut laughing, lest tomorrow ye weep bitter tears.
Update: Tennessee coach Derek Dooley announced Friday night he has kicked safety Darren Myles Jr., who’s from Atlanta’s Carver High, off the team and indefinitely suspended Marlon Walls and Greg King for their part in the incident. Da’Rick Rogers has not been suspended.
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409 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
July 9th, 2010
5:09 pm
Chuckling is allowed, Paul in RDU. It’s guffawing that’s taboo.
BravesFan79
July 9th, 2010
5:10 pm
“I don’t know what happened, but several of the guys started beating up the other customer,” she told the newspaper. “I want to guess there was seven to 10 guys beating up this one gentleman.”
These guys lift weights everyday, cant they fight for themselves? If a man is down on the ground and is getting kicked in the head, these future worthless members of society “think Travis Henry”, should be tried for attempted murder.
cdog
July 9th, 2010
5:12 pm
mark, i totally agree with everything you said.you are absolutely right.sometimes when things happen to others we tend to make fun of them and believe in our minds that it can’t happen to us.thats where we are wrong.just when we think we are immune, thats when it either happens to us or our family members.we should be sympathetic and pray for others who are going through hard times.i feel sorry for all those who was making fun of damon evans.as god promise, he who laughs first ,will laugh last.we have to be careful how we put people down just because3 we are up for the moments.tommorow or the next minute or second, it could be us going through what that person is going through or something worst.mark, i want to tell you, i’m really proud of you and may GOD bless you for that word and thought to many.
how2fish
July 9th, 2010
5:12 pm
Mark we could be hearing this as UGA freshman Da’Rick…but we dodged a bullet as so many have already said. Sad part is football is the least of this young man’s problems , if he beat a off duty policeman unconscious he looking at much deserved jail time. But to the Dawg fans that can’t help and throw stones…I’m not calling them out for it…I won’t do it but I can clearly see how its justified.
Paddy
July 9th, 2010
5:12 pm
I believe the myles kid will be the first to be kicked off. We will also learn alot about coach Dooley by the way he handles this terrible deal. The whole SEC will keep a close eye on Knoxville not to mention the NCAA standing in the wings. This should get us to fall practice!
cdog
July 9th, 2010
5:13 pm
GOD BLESS YOU MARK BRADLEY.
Don
July 9th, 2010
5:13 pm
I remember how wishy-washy Da Rick was in the recruiting process. To me, that’s a tell tale bad omen for future behavior, often means the player is easily swayed and isn’t guided by convictions and doesn’t really know who he is.
1eyedJack
July 9th, 2010
5:13 pm
Some Lame Name Here
Just for that, I’m not going to give you that job I was going to give you.
Now it all makes sense...
July 9th, 2010
5:15 pm
Now I understand the mentality of the people that blame Obama for everything!
1eyedJack
July 9th, 2010
5:16 pm
Obama? Don’t bring that big dummy into this.
UGApoofter
July 9th, 2010
5:16 pm
None of the players were 21, is underage drinking allowed in Knoxville?
Paul in RDU
July 9th, 2010
5:16 pm
OK – no guffawing, but maybe as far as a giggle?
Gary
July 9th, 2010
5:16 pm
I don’t think UGA fans are gloating. We are just saying what comes around, goes around and karma is a you-know-what. But I can’t say we all didn’t see it coming. Folks living in the Calhoun and NW GA area have said time and again that his attitude would be a major problem. This just vindicates everything they have said.
Polka Guy
July 9th, 2010
5:17 pm
Little dangerous to throw rocks if you live in a glass house, because if anyone throws one back, you’re pretty vulnerable. Everybody should treat others like they live in a glass house when it comes to throwing rocks at passerbys.
Bling and Blang
July 9th, 2010
5:17 pm
Thug T or THUGA…… Whats the difference? Just shows that CMR and Garner recruits nothing but thugs. Lights ,Camera and Action please for the next lime light grabber. Mr. Lemay wait your turn !
Grandpa Right, formerly of Cochran
July 9th, 2010
5:17 pm
Paddy is right. This could (and does) happen to GA. Dooley’s test will be whether he is willing to lose talent to establish control over his program.
Delbert D.
July 9th, 2010
5:18 pm
Everything seems to be running in circles. Thanks for your opinion, Mark.
dawgster
July 9th, 2010
5:18 pm
Yea Mark, where were you last week to quote someone above when everyone was piling on the dawgs regarding Damon Evans,..May not be the same issue but still i didn’t read anything from the AJC telling others to be careful about piling on….An although i do agree with you, where was this insight when the dawgs have had issues..I’ll tell you where: “not in the AJC”.
BigBad
July 9th, 2010
5:19 pm
Mark, I see your point. BUT, if something unfortunate happened to Lebron James, would Clevelanders be happy? Would the backwoods Vol fans (I say fans because none of them are alums or actually attended school) be happy if something unfortunate happened to Kiffin? This is similar. Rogers looked the UGA coaches in the eye time and time again and said he was committed. UGA did not recruit more receivers because they took Rogers for his word. He never confirmed to UGA the rumors that he was being whored out by Mike Nash and that he was going to UT, UGA coaches had to find out via an empty fax machine and by looking on the UT signing list. So pardon if i don’t feel sorry for this lying scum and I chuckle. They Have been laughing at UGA over Lemay and Evans for weeks now
Fred 'Crimedawg" Mcgriff
July 9th, 2010
5:19 pm
Chill out with the glasshouses please, thanks.
Billy Bob
July 9th, 2010
5:19 pm
Kinda reminds me of the back that said he chose TN over Ga because TN played for national championships while GA played for conference championships. TN lost to GA for the next 4 years. Have to laugh when you can!
robert e lee
July 9th, 2010
5:19 pm
PLEASE PHONE HERSHAL WALKER FOR AD ….FREE FI FO-FO FI FOFO
WOW
July 9th, 2010
5:20 pm
I have found a thread that doesnF say …..COMMENTS ARE CLOSED
Dale
July 9th, 2010
5:20 pm
In the players’ defense, they didn’t know the man was a police officer when they beat him up.
Sonny Clusters
July 9th, 2010
5:20 pm
De’Rek must now deal with Da’Rick and that should be most entertaining. When we was playing ball there was nobody on the team with an apostrophe in their name. Closest thing was Da’Stinky Wintes.
ryan
July 9th, 2010
5:20 pm
This typical Mark Bradley i mean duh we know about past incidents this is much bigger story that its coming Tenn not UGA Vols fans have been talking trash all year that UGA is thug u we have a right to stick up for selves.
Damon Evans
July 9th, 2010
5:21 pm
Thank you, Da-Rick, I appreciate the diversion.
WOW
July 9th, 2010
5:21 pm
doesnt say
RunningDog
July 9th, 2010
5:23 pm
I love you, Mark, but enough with the finger wagging at UGA. It’s obvious that whatever Rogers is involved in, is minor compared to what we went through last week, but considering how most fans feel about the kid, it’s a welcome relief.
You’re stating the obvious, my man, but at this point, someone else’s misery is welcome relief.
Also, stop telling us how great Paul Johnson and D-Rad are. They’re good guys, but really? Does Radakovich let you borrow his hot tub or something?
Dallas
July 9th, 2010
5:23 pm
Pessimists die young, optimists live longer.
Now it all makes sense...
July 9th, 2010
5:23 pm
ooooooohhhh i am a big man!! I can stick up for myself on the internet….watch me roar!!!!
Pathetic!
Concrete Pete
July 9th, 2010
5:24 pm
Dale: are you saying it would have been ok if the guy would not have been a police officer? it’s ok for 10 guys to attack 1? Wonder how you would feel if you were on the receiving end and not your computer keypad
Nu'Keese
July 9th, 2010
5:25 pm
Hay mang, yall know if dat bar still gone be open 2nite?
Boy !!! ....and i thought i have seen it all !!!
July 9th, 2010
5:26 pm
There’s nothing surprising about how those “PUKE ORANGE CLOWNS” get in to trouble. It just seems like they’re inviting everyone to see the kind of ‘FOOLISHNESS” they do it up in k-town. Darick….you sir got what you deserve !!!! Like they say….. KARMA IS A B***** !!!!!
Chris
July 9th, 2010
5:26 pm
That’s not laughter – it’s a sigh of relief! Nice to have another school making CNN breaking news. Further, I was told a long time ago that UGA was better off without him. Lots of talent got him through school, but that he was nothing but trouble. Looks like those sources were right – he didn’t even make it to the first day of class.
Now it all makes sense...
July 9th, 2010
5:27 pm
What’s pathetic BravesFan is that you have a friend/buddy that is a crack dealer.
AJC (All Jack Crap)
July 9th, 2010
5:27 pm
Mark, any other fans of any other university need to curb their enthusiasm? Or just UGA?
Bucket
July 9th, 2010
5:27 pm
Mark, your post is just another example of why Dawg fans feel picked on by the AJC and why so many are chuckling today. You guys make it sound like UGA has the most undisciplined program in America when they have guys getting arrested for motor scooter violations and playing with firecrackers, then when UT players get involved in really violent crimes (as have a few UGA players over the years) you write this article to make the UGA fans out to be the bad guys. I agree with your premise that no one should gloat over the failures of others, but don’t just write that to UGA fans, chide GT, UT, FL, ALA, etc as well.
BurbankDawg
July 9th, 2010
5:28 pm
“Who is Bacarri Rambo?” The better question is: “Where is my lawyer?”
Now it all makes sense...
July 9th, 2010
5:28 pm
And I am pretty sure that he didn’t have “crack dealer” listed as his job of record. Maybe he just spent a lot of time with his kids and helping the school.
AJC (All Jack Crap)
July 9th, 2010
5:29 pm
Well said, Bucket.
Hey booooo !!!! Yeah...dat bar be open 2nice !!!!
July 9th, 2010
5:29 pm
YEAHHHHHH BOYYYYY !!!! …. THIS IS HOW WEES BE ROLLING !!!!!
Polka Guy
July 9th, 2010
5:29 pm
People that drive glass pickup trucks shouldn’t throw rocks at joggers.
Funny thing about people, they all have weaknesses and flaws.
If, during someone’s most vulnerable time, we hurl them with stones, don’t be surprised when at our most vulnerable time, we get a few rocks thrown at your pickup truck.
Well known stone throwers, become big targets soon enough.
Nash Nance
July 9th, 2010
5:30 pm
Does this mean I lose my scholly also? Will they still need someone to hold the clipboard?
DIT
July 9th, 2010
5:31 pm
MB how can your write the verbage you did in this blog? Where you not reading your own blogs last week about Evans! Get a clue!
Listen every team has their troubled athletes. I’m not here to pile it on UT. Heck, I feel sorry for the fans and coaches because a couple meat heads pull this crap and the entire Vol nation has to take responsibility?? Please. Same as UGA and with Evans last week.
The people that should be taking the heat are the ones that did it. The coaches, Alums & fans should not. No one here made those idiots do what they did.
GT did you guys make the players on your team sale pot or beat a co-ed? Didn’t think so! Sad truth is that this happens in every College & Institution across the country.
Now it all makes sense...
July 9th, 2010
5:31 pm
right on Polka!
Realist
July 9th, 2010
5:34 pm
I read on Chip’s blog that the age for legal drinking in Tenn is 18. If that is true, it may explain the propensity for some “party-hardy” players to gravitate to Knoxville. The sort of crimes they’re having up there are very serious and must be stopped. This looks bad on college football.
Legend of Len Barker
July 9th, 2010
5:34 pm
Mark, wrong schools in the headline.
You should be telling Florida and Tech fans to curb their enthusiasm as they haven’t had a major situation lately. Everyone else piled on in the wake of the Evans situation, but only Georgia fans are told to hold back after the Tennessee debacle?
I also hope you’re not confusing Georgia’s collective sighs of relief over Rogers picking Tennessee with pointing and laughing.
DIT
July 9th, 2010
5:34 pm
One more note; Is there really a need to bring racist comments on here? BravesFan79! Totally uncalled for. Mett. at UGA was not black if I recall. Being a punk is not limited to skin color!
Yeah Buddy
July 9th, 2010
5:35 pm
Hey Ra-Dick, you are gonna look good in orange. All the way from the playing field to the county jail!!