The NFL draft is coming up soon with a lot of college players lining up to get their chance at a professional career and of course the chunk of money that goes with it.
One such player is Dak Prescott, the recent All-SEC quarterback from Mississippi State University. Prescott was only the fourth player in NCAA history to throw for 70 touchdowns while running for 40 more in a season. Prescott was indeed a thorn in Arkansas side the past two seasons, and he was the difference in nearly all the Bulldog victories the past few years.
Prescott had a great Senior Bowl performance, worked out well at the NFL combine and was outstanding at the Pro Day held in Starkville. However, last night, Presscott was pulled over in Starkville for driving while intoxicated. He was drunk.
Sports discussion boards were buzzing about how much damage he did to his draft numbers. With a lot of pro teams getting burned on college players whose lack of control of the their personal lives leading to poor performances on the field, Prescott's arrest could end up costing him perhaps upwards of a million dollars.
Some of the analysts feel that if Prescott couldn't stay out of trouble on what could be the most important week of his life, what's to keep him clean once he signs a fat contract. He is so talented, he will get drafted but it might be rounds later for a lot less money.
Thank Johnny Manziel for the NFL's keen awareness of what alcohol can do to a player. The former A&M star signed with Cleveland for over $8 million dollars, but was cut from the roster after only two seasons, mostly due to his erratic personal behavior and alcohol abuse.
This news story is sadly not new as the names change but the situation repeats itself over and over throughout the years.
I had a classmate in high school who won a national talent contest on television (remember Te Macks Amateur Hour) but who was also 6'4" in the ninth grade. He could dunk, run the point, was a terrific tight end, and had unlimited track and field potential. He also had a taste for alcohol.
I was in Monett during the Burl Fowler era. Coach Fowler made it be known that anyone who much as sipped an alcoholic product, smoked a cigarette and partook in illegal drugs, would be summarily dismissed from the athletic program and the dismissal would be for life. My friend got caught, even though he knew the consequences of what he was doing.
Three stellar athletes would run afoul (one a high school All-American) of that rule at Monett and would play out their high school careers at other schools.
I had a friend at Mt. Vernon who was an all-state performer in football and basketball, and was a state champion in the 110 high hurdles (14.3). The night before the state final his senior year, we ran across him in Columbia and both he and his dad had been drinking. He still won the hurdles the next day. We marveled at his time until Coach Fowler remarked (he knew about it, too) "If he had not been drinking the night before he would have set a state record. He will eventually pay a price for his bad habits."
This athlete got a full scholarship to play football at Missouri and he was a freshman starter in Missouri's televised upset victory over highly ranked Notre Dame with his interceptions paving the way for the win. I was really happy for him, but when I noticed he wasn't on the roster the next season, I found out that he had been drinking more than ever, and with some illegal drugs possession to go with it, cost him his place on the Tigers roster and a chance at a possible pro career.
I've never really understood the need for some young men (and women) to drink or experiment with alcohol. It has no taste and is only good for giving you a "buzz" or making you drunk.
Kids who drink alcohol illegally often gravitate to the also illegal drugs available from your friendly neighborhood criminal. There is no upside to alcohol consumption for young men and women, and there are multiple downsides for the same.
I have noticed that the ones who get into this kind of trouble are most times some of the best athletes. Perhaps their stardom gave them a feeling of invincibility on and off the field. Maybe they feel entitled.
The boy from Mt. Vernon had a dad who drank with him and actually encouraged it. He got my vote for "Bad Dad" of the year.
I am third generation Irish American. My granddad always started the day with a shot of Jack Daniels at 4:30 a.m. every day before he went out to check on the cattle. My dad would knock down some alcohol on occasion, mostly drinking beer. Neither one got drunk or drove their cars under the influence as that would have been irresponsible, and they were both big on that. While I had no desire to try an alcoholic product, had I tried to have done so before I was of age, it would have gotten me into deep trouble.
Alcoholic products are a legal product in the U.S.A. and I would never vote or wish to ban their use as was done during prohibition. I do believe happiness doesn't come out of a bottle, and anything that makes you feel good as the result of something you ingest is purely artificial. I would make an exception for my mom's cherry pie. A slice of that always made me happy.
•••
Editor's note: John McGee is an award-winning columnist and sports writer. He can be contacted through The Times at [email protected].
Sports on 03/16/2016