Alex Figueroa & JaWand Blue Dismissed By “The U”

Alex Figueroa and JaWand Blue, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

The pair of University of Miami sophomore linebackers were arrested today and charged with sexual battery on a minor, regarding an event that took place on July 5th.

Before anyone football-first, sports enthusiast played the “innocent until proven guilty” card, both admitted to buying and administering alcoholic beverages for the 17-year old UM student, as well as performing sexual acts on her without consent.

So back to that original sentiment—kick rocks, “gentlemen”. There’s zero-tolerance with this type of behavior.

Miami Athletic Director Blake James released a statement, saying “any allegation of a sexual assault is extremely serious, and the University will not tolerate conduct that threatens the sanctity and safety of our students and our campus.”

James subsequently dismissed both athletes from the football program and suspended both from the university indefinitely, barring the duo from campus until and internal investigation is conducted.

Today’s original intent at allCanesBlog.com was to finally roll up the sleeves to discuss football. Things had been relatively quiet here since National Signing Day—and status quo.

Another off-season with quarterback battles during spring football, back-ups getting their reps as injured starters heal and the waiting game that ensued regarding incoming freshmen reporting during summer and working to get game-ready via the weight room and pad-less drills with teammates.

Miami picked up a former five-star quarterback transfer, welcomed some instant-impact defensive line JUCO transfers and took a step forward fashion-wise with the release of some new-look Nike jerseys for fall.

July is here, kickoff is now 55 days away and that standard summertime optimism is starting to swell. The College World Series and NBA Finals are both in the rearview, leaving sports fans an USA-less World Cup, PGA Tour action and tennis.

In short, football can’t get here soon enough.

Of course in the wake of this rare and latest Hurricanes scandal, football will indeed get back-burnered while the Miami program gets lambasted for two rogue individuals who committed a deplorable act, overshadowing the hard work of so many.

For head coach Al Golden, another bump in the road and bad situation in which he’ll need to pull something positive from—most-notably a harsh reminder that the actions of one (or two), will have a ripple effect.

You’re only as strong as your weakest link.

Golden is a character guy and has spent the past half decade trying to fix the mess he inherited at Miami.

A big part of that—cleaning house and ridding the program of bad seeds—which to the fourth-year head coach’s credit, he’s done, despite this latest occurrence. The Hurricanes have stayed out of trouble, with the players as intent on righting the ship as the semi-new coaching staff.

But this? A setback of epic proportions across the board. Two young men just ruined their lives, as well as a high-school-aged girl. No one will ever be the same.

Equally as disheartening—seeing another crop of present-day athletes not learning from the mistakes of others.

Florida State was front-page news last season, courtesy of a national championship and Heisman-winning quarterback, but Jameis Winston also dominated the headlines for his off-the-field antics—most-notably, an accusation or rape and allegations of a small-town cover-up.

Does Winston’s situation even flash through the mind of a Figueroa or Blue over the holiday weekend—when logic, common sense, integrity and morals obviously went right out the window?

In layman’s terms, did they really think they’d get away with something like this? Not to mention, the whole “sex offender” baggage that will come as a result of the girl being a minor—making a horrible situation that much worse.

For Golden, another headache and for “The U”, a public relations nightmare for a program that is less than a year removed from a long-running NCAA investigation coming to close.

Miami has been thin at linebacker for years, looking for a playmaker to step up. Figueroa looked to be that type of guy, while Blue was expected to add necessary depth this upcoming season.

A much-malgined defense couldn’t afford the loss of these players, while neither individual has any clue how this stupid, selfish, grotesque act will forever impact his future—not to mention said underage girl.

An ugly day all around and a shame that so many will pay a price for the poor decisions made by two.

Let’s hope all parties can begin a healing process immediately.

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