Deep Thoughts

Henton Arrest: Embarassing, but still hopeful.

Last year he told us he’d like to be the next Heisman Trophy winner at OSU… and he may still be. 

Yet this might also be how Antonio Henton’s remembered.  The first words out of everyone’s mouth I talked to today about the story---you mean to tell me he couldn’t …. you know what I’m talking about. 

It’s an embarrassing mistake that will haunt Henton as long as he’s on Ohio State’s campus. He’s also 20-years-old.  Did you do anything embarrassing when you were 20?  I’m guessing so---probably not enough to get around-the-clock news coverage.  But we all have things we’re not proud of from school.  So take a moment before rushing to judge Henton for his error (He’s pleaded not guilty, btw).

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy’s tirade last weekend was fueled by a media story he believed crossed the line of what an amateur athlete should have to endure.  So is Henton’s case any different?  It’s an embarrassing personal moment without any real affect on the public.  99% of these cases you never hear about---but today it’s splattered on the local news because of who Antonio is. 

Certainly, people are interested---the tv ratings and internet hits will skyrocket with people trying to learn more about if Henton was there at that place at that time.  And there’s still the question of how this will affect his future on the team, particularly as a quarterback.  From that standpoint, it’s a valid story in my view.

But instead of making fun of a guy who clearly “erred,” hope Henton follows Troy Smith’s footsteps and so many other players who’ve rallied to make good on their careers.

We’ve all made mistakes, especially at 20 years old. (wow, sad if you think about all of them!!) Suspend the kid from playing in a few games (ala Troy Smith, Steve Bellasari, etc.) Sure, he’s remorseful, send him to consuling, put him on probation, and give him another chance. It is only a misdemeanor. All he wanted was a B…

Well stated Jerod, I would also point out that most of us can not defend our selves from the media ability to fan the flames of our most humble mistakes. While powerful priest have raped young boys and girls, yet the media does not go after their family and friends like they do Mike Vick, OJ Simpson and the Jenna 6. My hat is off to coach Gundy for taking the media on in defense of the young people in his care. The power of the media is out of control in my opinion. We need balance in the media and the understanding that some of the words and images are driving others to do bad things to other people based on the opinion of some news story. From phone threats to radio talk shows that whip the listeners up into a rage. To most African Americans the media is todays hangman. If the media reports over and over again that the Henton should be suspended, that is probably the call that will be echoed from this community

I agree that we have all made mistakes especially in our younger years.  I have also watched enough of the COPS shows and they show these stings quite frequently.  They are about as close to entrapment as you can get.
I have only read what happened to Henton in the paper and on the news.  I wasn’t there to know what really happened so I have kept an open mind about this situation he is in.
I for one don’t think that he should be kicked off the team.  Hey, mistakes happen. (or was it entrapment?)