June 8, 2007

A Most Interesting At-Bat for Callahan

Now batting for Husker Nation...Bill Callahan.

Before I start, let me state for the record that this post is not about Mo Purify. It's obvious that the dude has issues. It's obvious that he's a young guy with talent, who needs to change his direction in life somewhat. With that being said, you will never ever hear me mock or attack the guy for having problems. There are thousands of everyday Joe's who get busted for DUI, cracking a chick in the face or a variety of other crimes and misdemeanors.

This post is not about Mo Purify. This post is about You and Bill Callahan. What do the two have in common?

Following or supporting a player during good times or bad is not the issue at hand. How Callahan handle's the issues is. What happens to Mo Purify off the field is secondary in this discussion to what Callahan does when he has to deal with one of his best players gets arrested for the second time in 5 weeks. My point is, Callahan and Warden Pederson have yet to rule on the FIRST arrest and that was over a month ago. Nice also to see that the Lincoln court system thought Mo was perfectly fine to skip a hearing if he went to some anger management classes. Hopefully the AA meeting is right next door, because from the sound of it, dude is going to have some meetings to attend going forward. (Anybody who has been arrested for DUI can attest to that).

But the BIGGEST story to me, or at least the most important one, is how YOU as Husker fans will come to Purify's defense on this. Many of you mocked the chick who was on the receiving end of an incomplete JC Keller Dixie cup back in the winter. Many of you spun like a tilt-o-whirl when Purify was arrested for assault. Excuses such as, "The bouncer was asking for it", "The police are always looking out for Husker players to bust" and "This happens all the time, suspend him for a game and move on."

So what's it going to be now?

Do you stand by your man? Or call for him to pack his crap and get out of Dodge? I'm sure this is extremely difficult for some of you, especially those who fight to the death to defend your team from those (like me) who accuse you of being a renegade program full of thugs. However, this particular incident doesn't even fall in the "thug" category. It falls in the "sad" category. Despite what you think, drunk driving isn't amusing or something to joke about. It's a serious offense and should be treated as such. Football is secondary on a granular level.

However, for the sake of this discussion, the pressure now falls on you people and the man who has to step up to the plate and deal with him. Will he cut Mo on the spot? Will he suspend him "Indefinitely"? Will he suspend him at all and "let the legal system take it's course"? Lots of interesting directions to take on this one.

Let the record show, I have my suspicions, but I will wait for the obligatory, "No comment" to come out this afternoon from Lincoln before I comment further. If you want a hint though, just remember that the guy making the decisions was once coach of the Oakland Raiders. Looks like the Commitment to Huskerlence is alive and well in Lincoln.

Back on Monday.

9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

From the OWH

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Wide receiver Maurice Purify was suspended indefinitely from the Nebraska football team Friday after his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving, his second run-in with law enforcement in five weeks.



Nebraska receiver Maurice PurifyA State Patrol trooper stopped Purify at 12:25 a.m. at the intersection of Cornhusker Highway and North First Street in Lincoln. Purify was observed driving 53 mph in a 40 mph zone and failing to use his turn signal, patrol spokeswoman Deb Collins said.

Purify was taken to the Lincoln Detoxification Center after being ticketed on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Collins said she didn't know Purify's blood-alcohol level at the time of his arrest.

"We are aware of Maurice's situation and we take it very seriously," coach Bill Callahan said. "I met with Maurice today and explained to him that he is indefinitely suspended from the team. At this point, his future status with our team is uncertain."

A call seeking comment from Purify's attorney, Jon Braaten of Lincoln, was not immediately returned.

Purify had been charged with two counts of assault, resisting arrest, trespassing and failure to comply after a May 5 incident at a downtown bar. Purify was accused of throwing a man over a table, hitting him several times and striking the man's girlfriend.

Purify had been authorized to enter a pretrial diversion program in that case. City prosecutor John McQuinn couldn't be reached to comment on how Purify's arrest Friday would affect his participation in diversion.

Purify, from Eureka, Calif., was Nebraska's second-leading receiver last season, catching 34 passes for 630 yards and seven touchdowns. He will be a senior in the fall.

2:11 PM  
Blogger A J said...

Thanks for the update.

So does "indefinately" = Next Thursday?

2:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mo is indefinitely suspended, but you are most definitely a bloody fucking moron.. And not because you can't spell a word on a 4th grade spelling test, but because you have no idea what it's like to be in a position of managerial importance.

What do you do for a living besides blather on with this pathetic blog? I'm really curious. Do you make high-level, high-visibility decisions on a regular basis? Decisions that affect the lives of other human beings?

JP.. Anxiously awaiting your response..

5:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This article is you writing that Callahan is up to bat, but the only person up to bat here is you. Callahan has a good record of discipline that goes back into his days at the Raiders (he suspended Woodson just for missing a meeting) yet you make it sound like just by being the coach of a team called "Raiders" he must have been weak on discipline. The only thing that is weak here is that argument--or lack there of. At Nebraska, Callahan kicked off Chris Patrick and Richie Incognito, two starters. On Major Culbert he let due process take place, and then he had a talk with him where he made it clear he would be gone if there were any problems at Nebraska. Callahan's record here is solid, and you have yet to present anything to the contrary.

To that end, since Callahan already has a good record with discipline, if he punishes Purify fairly (he appears to be heading towards a long suspension or dismissal) will you keep recycling the same unsubstantiated lines or will you be honest enough to finally admit that he is fine with discipline? If it's the former, you will show that you are the libel-bent, bitter, mud flinger we all think you are. If it's the latter, then you might start to eek out a little credibility for once.

Furthermore, the next time a Mizzou player is in trouble for stuff like this, I expect you to be out condemning Pinkel and the player with the same unsubstantiated slime you used thest past five weeks.

Up to bat, H8er.

10:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

you are so wack in your sayings AJ!! You actually think he should be removed over one DWI incident? Wake up man! He is a kid and deserves some attention and breaks. Afterall he had a tough upbringing. I bet you wouldn't say this if he were a white player. Figures though.

GOOOOOO
BIIIIIIG
REEEEEED

1:55 PM  
Blogger A J said...

1) I don't have to write about a MIzzou player getting in trouble. Why? Because there isn't a sign in Columbia claiming to have the greatest fans in college football. Self-promote yourself that much...expect to get second guessed for having a thug program.

2) Calling me a racist? I'm not quite sure where you came up with that..but if you think you can stretch it...go ahead. I called Josh Brown a thug too. Kellen Houston? Same?

What color were they?

Dipshit.

3) JP - Your whole tough-guy persona is weak. You've been saying the same shit over and over and over again. "I'm gonna leave". "Misery this" "Misery that". Jesus man, come up with ONE fucking thing that's new. Just one...that's all I ask.

Position of managerial importance?

It's pretty fucking simple J....

You either stop claiming to be morelaly (spell enough for ya? dickhead?) superior and lose the fucking sign....or you prepare to have people like me call you out for what you are.

"Managerial importance???" Are you fucking kidding me?

If he was a 4th string kicker, I'm guessing you wouldn't be saying that.

By the way..this is post 16 from you since you said you were leaving for good. Thought I'd let you know.

The fact that all of you guys are spinning to this degree for a guy like this says everything.

5:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not spinning dick.. Purify is gone, but you still never answered my question. WTF do you do for a living? Has to be shitty for you being stuck in Crapaha. Why don't you get a promotion or something and get the hell out of Nebraska?

Sucks to be you I guess..

JP (fuck you I'll visit when I want to)

7:50 PM  
Blogger A J said...

I don't care when you visit. Shit, you've been leaving me shit remarks longer than almost anybody.

Just don't have a PMS-tirade on here and bitch about leaving..only to post MORE. I mean...if you post now and then that's fine..but it's hard to take you as credible when you pull that shit.

But as always..do what you want. The next time I censor your posts will be the first. (And you know it)

8:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We have a reputation of having good fans because we travel well with our team, we sell out all our games, and we treat visiting teams and fans better than any other college in this country.

Where in the hell do you get this idea that having good fans means our college athletes aren't going to get in trouble for doing stupid college stuff with alcohol?

And also, as I asked before, will you leave Callahan alone if he once again proves your libel wrong?

10:33 PM  

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