Isaiah Crowell-Alabama State Rumors Drive HBCU “Back Up Plan” Stereotypes
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alabama, Alabama State University, Sports
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is today reporting that dismissed Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell is considering a transfer to Alabama State University. Yet another example of HBCUs bailing out a athlete in trouble – real or perceived.
Could Alabama State use a top-tier running back? Absolutely. What HBCU program couldn’t? But if there’s smoke about a Division I athlete who didn’t care to consider an HBCU until facing gun charges and expulsion, why is it Alabama State’s role to play firefighter?
Crowell, like many other athletes who’ve transferred to HBCUs after a hard times at PWI’s, would come in and likely be a player with immediate impact and draft stock at ASU. But its clear he believes his baggage won’t make him appealing to another BCS program, and its obvious that Alabama State was somewhere on his radar for this information to come out.
So which side of the HBCU argument are we making for cases like Crowell’s and other athletes with a troubled past? That we open doors to everyone? Or that we are a great back-up plan for knuckleheads?
There are other issues at hand that one must consider… A lot of times young black talented athletes are thrust into an atmosphere of a “big institution and big time program” and they are not nearly ready for such an experience in life. In other words, their big heads become even bigger with all the “at-a-boys” thrown at them (amongst other things thrown at them) with much more intensity and frequency than ever experienced in the hood. In a lot of cases, an HBCU is “exactly what they need”, and should have chosen in the first place! It usually presents an education both in academics and “in life” which can usually keep their little overconfident behinds in check and remind them that they are not invincible and quite responsible for their every action. Case in point, a recently acquired linebacker by the Baltimore Ravens was thrown off the Florida State team. He transferred to Alabama State University and played out the remaining two years “trouble free”!… He needed some folks around him to keep him focused on the consequences young black men face, not people throwing stuff at him that he was neither accustomed to, nor knew how to handle! This change probably saved the rest of this young man’s life. I hope this is the case with Crowell.
I think this case is a little different because Crowell is from Columbus, GA and Alabama State is relatively close to his home. I also believe that coaches are more to blame for knuckleheads being given 2nd chance. For lack of a better term, these coaches don’t mind sloppy seconds when a player is supremely talented.
There you go! You hit the nail on the head sir!