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The latest case in point is Marcus Lattimore, the star running back for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from a couple of years ago. Lattimore was a superb player for coach Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks in 2012, and sure to be a first-round draft pick in the National Football League.
Not only was Lattimore an outstanding player, he scored 38 career touchdowns, but he was an even better person. He was beloved, and I mean beloved, by Gamecock Nation.
He was a kid who gave everything he had on the field, and shared his heart with teammates, classmates, and fans.
But on the way to another All-American season, and first-round slot in the NFL draft, Lattimore suffered a gruesome leg injury.
However, not even a potential career ending injury could dampen his joy for life. Although he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers (fourth round in 2013).
He made a valiant attempt to regain his form following the injury, but it fell short. He was never able to play again.
Through it all Lattimore never gave up. He never hung his head, and asked, “Why me?”
He just kept his incredible spirit for life, and love for South Carolina.
Well, leave it to the NCAA to take a man’s joy away.
Recently, the NCAA said that Lattimore cannot be hired by South Carolina football program because he would give the Gamecocks ‘too much of an edge in recruiting.’ They are sighting the fact that Lattimore runs youth football camps throughout the state, as if he would be at every camp selling the Gamecock program to every player.
Coaches and universities have long done camps. Alabama’s Nick Saban runs a football camp. You don’t think he has any influence on the kids that come to his camp?
The guy who helped make South Carolina, and the NCAA millions, and ripped his knee apart doing it, can’t even get a job working at the school that he loves, and in the sport he loves.
Now, if he wants to be around the Gamecock football program he can do that…he just can’t be paid to do it.
Now ain’t that a bitch?
The NCAA’s big pimpin’ lives on.
