As Your Attorney, I Advise You...

Johnny Football Needs To Become Johnny Lay Low

After a hiatus from writing due to a number of things, I've figured the best opportunity to get back in the game is to offer my two cents on the Johnny Football drama that has been all over ESPN for the past few weeks.  Now I may not be a Heisman-winning quarterback staring at millions of dollars in future earnings, but I am a recent college graduate from a football-crazy school who drank a "frew brew" at fraternity parties back in the day, so I might just be semi-qualified to comment on this topic.  Based on my past experiences of dodging flying beer cans, here is my personal advice to the media's favorite person.

Dear Johnny, 

A few months ago, I ran into you at a bar on Sixth Street.  To be specific, it was Thanksgiving night, after TCU had beaten my hapless Longhorns.  While some might give you a bit of hell for being on Sixth two nights before your final regular season game against Mizzou, we both know Gary Pinkel's squad had less to offer than a bar after 2:15 AM, so no harm done there.  Hell, even last year's Longhorns could have beaten that team, which is saying something.  Honestly, you seemed like a pretty cool dude, which is why I'm offering this bit of advice to you.  

When I was an undergrad at the University of Texas, the Holy Triumvirate of Quarterbacks were dominating college football.  You might have even met a few of them in your time: Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, and Tim Tebow.  Combined, they were darlings of the media.  They could do no wrong, and some would even argue that they were God's gifts to mankind.  The fact of the matter is this, Johnny:  these guys didn't give the media anything bad to talk about.  You never heard about these guys being drunker than Cooter Brown, or oversleeping for an event because they were shacked up at a slam's place.  Today's media loves drama, and if you give them an inch, they will take a mile.  While we both might like to have lived in an era of the past, when a person's indiscretions could be hidden from snooping media eyes, there is no chance of that happening.  You can only play the hand you are dealt; as your attorney (if you don't understand that nod, I'm sorry) I advise you to do the following:

1. Lay low for the next few months.  If you want to get your booze on, have a few friends over and crack some brews at your place.  Just know who will be attending, so your shenanigans stay on the DL.  As much as you want to be a normal rowdy college student, you can't with today's media.  Normal students can get blackout at a bar on a Wednesday, but they aren't potential first-round NFL Draft picks who the media cares about.  You control your destiny over what the media can say about you.  Lay low, and there is nothing they can say. 
2. Stay away from Austin this season.  Some bitter Horns in the 512 will jump at any chance to take a photo of you that will make you look bad in front of a national audience.  You can't really blame them either, as the current Horns on campus don't know what a good football season feels like, and seeing your squad rise in the rankings unquestionably makes their blood boil.  Yes, Austin is the best city in the state, and by far the most fun.  Yes, it looks like Las Vegas or New Orleans when you have to live in College Station.  For the sake of your wallet though, stay away until the season is over.
3. Get the hell out of College Station after this season.  Yes, if you return for your junior season, your God-like status among those maroon sheep will grow even more.  But for the sake of your future, you need to get the hell out of Dodge.  Nothing good can come from you staying another year in college. Media scrutiny over every move you make will only increase, your draft stock can't go any higher, and the threat of injury will always be present.  You know what happened to Leinart and Barkley.  You're a first round talent, but are scaring NFL owners and GM's away due to your off-the-field antics. After Aaron Hernandez went full-idiot this summer, the NFL higher-ups will be looking for any and every reason to not draft a player who they see as risky due to off-the-field issues.  Take the money and run while you can, before the media or the NFL gets any more dirt on you.   

With that out of the way, I wish you nothing but the best this season, Mr. Football.

Your Attorney,

Dr. Gonzo

Hope you enjoyed the piece, and I'll do my best to bring you more of my thoughts and insights on a regular basis, as we are getting closer to football season. 

         

  

Aaron Hernandez Murder Investigation

A Rush To Judgment?

News reports are coming in left and right regarding the ever-evolving Aaron Hernandez murder investigation.   Earlier today, it was revealed that some surveillance video cameras at his home had been intentionally smashed, along with a cell phone.  Reports are also stating that Hernandez had his house scrubbed clean by a team of house cleaners.  Additionally, a civil lawsuit has been filed against Hernandez by a man who is claiming that the New England Patriots' TE shot him outside of a Florida strip club in February.  Needless to say, the more news that breaks, the worse it looks for Aaron Hernandez.  

Because I'm currently a law student, I have a bit more interest in legal stories that are tied into the sports world.  I'll be honest, my first reactions when the story broke were not shock or disbelief.  In fact, my thoughts were more along the lines of: "Maybe this will give my fellow law students a break from drooling all over themselves while they wait for SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) opinions."  Seriously, nothing gets the average law student more jazzed than upcoming SCOTUS opinions.  It's as bad as the days when teenage girls were anticipating the next Twilight movie release.  Outside of this initial reaction though, I've been able to compile a few thoughts about this very intriguing investigation. 

1. Take what you're hearing on the news with a grain of salt.  Today's media is so sensationalized that the game is all about who's first, not who's right.  Don't believe me? All you need to do is think back to how various news outlets covered the Boston Marathon Bombing.  
2. The public courtroom doesn't go by the same set of rules as an actual courtroom.  If Hernandez is charged with murder, this trial is going to get more ESPN coverage than Tim Tebow (unless Tim Tebow becomes a star witness, which would cause ESPN's collective head to explode).  We're going to hear people condemn this man, offer their opinions on what evidence will do him in, etc.  Just remember that the rules of the actual courtroom are different than the public's courtroom, i.e. there may be evidence you may read or hear about that will be precluded from court.  Should Hernandez end up in court, let's allow the actual court process to play out before passing judgment.  
3. Aaron Hernandez probably isn't playing much football this year, if any at all.  The way things stand right now, things don't look good for the Patriots' TE.  Depending on how this story evolves, I could see two things potentially happening.  First, if Hernandez is charged with murder, his season is automatically over.  I can't envision him playing a down of football while being accused of murder.  Second, depending on where this story goes and how bad it gets, the Pats could just release Hernandez altogether.  This could become a PR nightmare the longer it drags on, and it might just be in New England's best interest to cut ties.  
4. Tim Tebow needs to "carpe diem" the hell out of this situation.  Gronkowski can't get off the operating table, and Hernandez might be facing some very serious legal issues.  If there was ever a time for Tebow to move to TE, this is it.  A move right now could change the trajectory of his career dramatically depending on Gronkowski's health issues and Hernandez's legal troubles.

I have to admit, the things being said on the news sound pretty terrible for Aaron Hernandez.  That being said, we don't know all the facts to this case at this point, and should refrain from passing judgment at this time.  Nonetheless, this will be a great story to follow over the next few weeks and months, and is a great topic for discussion.  Let me know your thoughts on the Hernandez situation in the comments below.