One would think that the best thing for Wesley Johnson to do would be to walk away quietly. Fat chance.
The father of former Miami running back Storm Johnson was again in the news, this time blasting UM and head coach Al Golden for preventing his son from transferring to 26 schools – including every team in the ACC, the SEC and upcoming non-conference opponents.
The elder Johnson referred to UM’s actions as “modern-day slavery”, adding, “UM should be ashamed for doing this to an 18-year old” and letting it be know that, “Storm didn’t approve of the military-style in which he was being coached.”
And so the trend of parents protecting entitled teenage athletes rolls on, instead of seizing the moment, teaching a life lesson about ramifications for one’s actions and respecting authority.
Is twenty-six schools excessive? Sure. Especially banning a Georgia product from transferring to a SEC school when growing up in the heart of SEC country. That said, Miami is said to be in the process of scheduling a SEC foe for a season opener in the coming years and it’d make sense that coaches don’t want to see Johnson running for a future opponent.
The bigger picture is being lost here, though. There is a price to pay for decisions we make in this life and instead of the elder Johnson explaining to his son that even though they don’t deem the punishment fair, it has to be accepted and dealt with properly.
What kind of example is being set when a parent runs his mouth to the media, referring to the school’s stance as “slavery” and implying that a head coach is some type of drill sergeant pushing Gestapo tactics?
If Wesley Johnson thinks that Al Golden is being petty, this would be a great time to show his son what it’s like to be the bigger man – accepting their fate and moving forward – instead of hurling insults and essentially stooping to the other guy’s level.
Petty as some might thing Golden is being, it’s about making a statement. You’re not going to take up a scholarship at Miami, take reps in practice for a year, expect a starting job and bail out when not given one, without paying in some way.
Say what you will about Golden’s approach, but rest assured that some kid somewhere will (1) think twice before making a commitment he won’t honor and (2) will think twice before bailing out on a commitment made. Golden is setting a bar regarding the kind of kids he wants at the University of Miami and because of that, sometimes you have to make an example out of someone.
Rumors still fly regarding what Johnson did or didn’t do, which inevitably pushed him out the door. Some say it was marijuana. Others have talked about an on-campus skirmish. Word was that third-on-the-depth-chart Johnson was going to be suspended for at least the Maryland opener and instead of paying his dues, while working his way into a starting role, Johnson chose to take his ball and go home.
Makes you realize why coaches make such a big point about character and maturity when recruiting kids for their program. Think back to the recruitment of Lamar Miller, currently atop the depth chart at running back. The hometown prospect chose the Canes after top-rated back Bryce Brown committed to UM. When asked about position depth, Miller made it clear he was on board to earn the job and a few years later, he has.
What happened to paying one’s dues? Why did this become such a me-first culture? How come a teenage athlete’s parents can’t drive home the point that in the grand scheme of life, missing a game or riding the pine for a year isn’t the end of the world? It’s a long life and there is something to be said for putting in time and earning things, instead of having them handed to you.
Johnson will now sit out the 2011 season and will have to earn a starting role for 2012. This, as opposed to putting in time at Miami this year – in a run-first offense still struggling for consistency at quarterback and breaking in a new offensive coordinator. Johnson would’ve seen his fair share of reps at ‘The U’ this year had he been patient. Instead, he’s taking a short cut that will wind up being a longer path to playing time.
You can excuse that type of behavior out of a teenager, but again, where is the sage wisdom of a parent who teaches his son the art of patience and honoring one’s commitment? Unfortunately a lost art in this day and age.
Best of luck to the Johnson family and hoping Storm lands on his feet somewhere.