According to the Shreveport Times, LSU Tigers' quarterback Jordan Jefferson's apartment was searched by Baton Rouge police in order to obtain evidence with regards to an alleged bar fight. Jefferson and three of his teammates have been accused of having involvement in a melee that took place at Shady's Bar near the LSU campus on Tuesday.
The police who searched Jefferson's apartment were on the lookout for DNA evidence such as blood on articles of clothing. While the police seized some property for Jefferson's apartment, it is unclear exactly what was taken.
Although Jefferson supposedly isn't the main suspect in the case, he has been accused of kicking one of the four injured in the fight in the head. While Jefferson and his teammates should be considered innocent until proven guilty, it would seem as though repercussions are in order.
LSU head coach Les Miles said that suspensions are a possibility if any of the four players, including Jefferson, are implicated for the fight. For a team that is considered to be a legitimate contender for the National Championship this season suspending its starting quarterback for even a couple games could be crippling.
With that said, if Jefferson committed the crime, then he needs to pay the consequences. Too often in both collegiate and professional sports, high-profile athletes get off scot free after severe transgressions. There would be no more fitting punishment for Jefferson and the others involved in the brawl than to be suspended for a few games and possibly cost their team a title.
The Tigers will have an immediate test if they hope to keep their title hopes alive when they face the Oregon Ducks in their season opener Sept. 3. Oregon fell just short in their bid for a National Championship last season, losing to Auburn on a last-second field goal. The Tigers will need their full assortment of weapons, but that may not be possible.
As head coach, Miles has an incredibly difficult decision to make. His livelihood depends upon winning games and winning championships at a high-profile program like LSU. He also needs to consider the fact that his team has to respect him.
If Miles allows Jefferson and co. to get away unscathed, then he is doing himself, his team and LSU as a whole a disservice. It remains to be seen what type of punishment would be considered appropriate, but if Jefferson is guilty, a suspension needs to be handed down.
Ben Gordon Josh Howard Jason Terry Jason Kidd Dirk Nowitzki Jerry Stackhouse
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen