While far too many off-the-field stories about current and former college student athletes are negative, involving things like a half-finished bottle of vodka and a hatchet (think former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett) or receiving money for hours never worked at a car dealership (think former Oklahoma and current Sam Houston State quarterback Rhett Bomar), there has been a wonderful story emerging in Clemson, SC, that deserves some attention too.
Clemson Tiger redshirt freshman cornerback Ray Ray McElrathbey is raising his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr. Fahmarr's mother and father have drug and gambling problems, respectively. This is obviously not a good environment for an 11-year-old, and Fahmarr's older brother decided to do something about it. He is taking on the task of raising his little brother in addition to class, practice, homework and any attempts at a social life that seems all-too-insignificant at this point.
You may ask how a 19-year-old who is not allowed to work during the football season, thanks to the NCAA rulebook, could support a child. The NCAA has allowed Clemson to set up a fund to help Ray Ray with expenses. Anyone will be able to give to the fund when it is opened up for donations next week at ClemsonTigers.com.
I thank Ray Ray for reminding us that as enjoyable as games on a Saturday afternoon can be, the backdrop they create for even greater stories is what sports are really all about.
Paul Breitkreutz Senior political science and sociology major
Sex sells, and it's cheap too. There're enough easy girls and superficial guys to keep STDs working overtime.
Forget morals (that's too much to ask), let's talk common sense. Premarital sex is to STDs what Oprah is to Gayle (best buddies!). Having fun now and worrying about consequences later is stupid. We will suffer the consequences, and they're not pretty so you won't read about it in here. Masturbation and playmates are more intriguing.
What's wrong with masturbation and porn? It destroys marriages. Just ask married couples. And without asking I'll tell you ladies that sleeping with a guy without being married to him doesn't make him think more of you, it makes him think less. I know, who'd have thought it, right?
To the guys now. You'll have to live with the realization that you've given away something that was meant for someone you would spend your life with to a girl whose name you can't even remember. If that's not enough, you'll forever be comparing her (and being compared by her) to other partners. No pressure.
We all know sex can be intense, but it can wait. Like we're waiting and investing in education so we don't have to work at Burger King for the rest of our lives, we should invest in our sex lives today.
The sad thing is, if you're having premarital sex, you're having Burger King sex (but hey, have it your way). Because having sex with someone that's not committed to you for life can never be as hot as making love to someone who'll always be there for you.
Yinka Akinyemi Graduate business student
