Cowboy staff has no choice: Collins must go Sophomore linebacker's guilty plea means he no longer has the right to play for Oklahoma State Cowboy staff has no choice: Collins must go
The sophomore linebacker pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault stemming from a May 2004 incident during an after-prom party.
Collins was 17 years old at the time. The girl was 12.
On Wednesday, a jury chose a five-year sentence and recommended that it be served as probation. A Bowie County (Texas) District Court judge will sentence Collins on Dec. 10 and could order as much as 10 years probation.
OSU officials have yet to determine Collins' status with the football team.
What's to think about?
Collins' career with the Cowboys officially should have ended the instant he pleaded guilty.
The debate of whether he should or shouldn't be on the team ceased at the point.
Collins needs to go immediately.
Too harsh?
We're not talking about someone picking a fight in the school cafeteria or loitering outside a Whataburger.
We're talking aggravated sexual assault of a 12-year-old, a first-degree felony in Texas.
When sentenced, Collins will become a convicted felon and also could become a registered sex offender.
Institutions of higher learning don't want people of such character walking their campus — no matter how thin their football team is at linebacker.
This edict extends across the board, whether your school colors are orange and black or crimson and cream.
The judge might simplify things himself by not allowing Collins to leave Texas.
OSU coach Mike Gundy knew the risk of offering Collins a scholarship.
"I don't think there was any doubt I was sticking my neck out,” Gundy said in the summer of 2006.
Through it all, Gundy stuck up for Collins.
On national signing day in February 2006: "You know me well enough to probably know I researched him,” Gundy said. "I'm responsible for the players in our program. And the staff is responsible. Our athletic director gives me the opportunity to run the football program. And the president has faith in him. I did a lot of research. This has been going on for a long time ... I do what I think is right and what I think is best. I'm not always right.”
One month later: "We investigated it. People on our staff talked to his family 50 times. He never says a word. He works hard, goes to class. His grades are good ... My job is to make good decisions on players who come into this program and give them a chance to have success.”
One month after that: "I get second-guessed on everything I do,” Gundy said. "I understand that. My job is to make good decisions and give players a chance to have success. How he handles it is up to him. It's his opportunity to thrive. If he, or anybody else, chooses to go another way, they won't be here.”
Last July: "I don't think there's any doubt Chris would say he made a mistake, and I don't agree with what happened,” Gundy said. "But we gave a young man an opportunity to make up for something, because of the investigation we did over the phone.”
But at this Monday's weekly news conference, Gundy didn't sound nearly as compassionate about Collins.
"I don't know anything about what's going on there,” Gundy said. "It doesn't matter. Either he shows back up here or he doesn't. Chris Collins left (last Sunday) night, which you guys (in the media) made me aware of. I didn't know he was leaving.”
Gundy went from endorsing a kid to conveniently pleading ignorance.
Exactly how diligent was OSU in its research of Collins?
The Cowboys took a chance on Collins because they thought: 1. He was innocent; 2. He would be found not guilty; 3. The charges would be dropped.
Three and out.
Collins (hopefully) has played his final game with OSU, but should he have played any games at all?
That's been the question since the Cowboys started wooing Collins after Texas revoked its scholarship offer two years ago.
Oddly enough, his final game might have come against the Longhorns.
"Chris is a great young man,” UT coach Mack Brown said last July at Big 12 Media Days. "I'm sorry for all the young people, the young lady and young guys involved, because it's a life-changing experience. You're talking about one night that changes your life.”
People make mistakes, and Collins made a bad one.
But sometimes one mistake is one too many.
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Mike OKC, what is it with you pokes and your obsession with puke? Forgive me please, Mr. Mike. I did not realize, calling out some of these fine people here, made for an unhealthy "city, state, (and) country" Mr. Drama Queen. I did bust you on your "no-it-all" dealio, by pointing out that it was "KNOW-it-all". Sorry if that hurt. But for you to say I'm "no Will Rogers role model". Why, that hurt my feelings,,,,,, no really. Hey Mike, the great prose artist you are, tell me what is a "Will Rogers role model"? Is it someone to be a role model for Will Rogers? He's been dead for around 80 to 90 years you know. I just hadn't figured that one out. Mike, you make it too easy for someone like me, but don't give up. You can achieve "Mary" status at this rate.
stinker,, there is so much you don't understand. And I'm glad to hear you admit it. And you come after OSU Tulsa, having nothing to say about the Collins matter. And the only thing you've ever busted, was a door handle to the bathroom so you could spew some more puke as you try to do here. You are the one that comes to battle unarmed. Don't like it coming back do you? There are others on here that you would come up short with also. Sorry. oh wait.. no I'm not. Just try.. try..staying with issues and leave "people" alone. Do you really think that crap you puke makes for a healthy city, state, country?
Mr. Rohde, Thank you for having the compassion to go to Texarkana and listen to the evidence presented to the jury so that you could base your opinion on a personal knowledge of the facts. I am sure that you did that because otherwise you having nothing to base your opinion on except what you have read in the newspaper and the newspaper is garbage and it makes me want to puke.
OSU Fan, Tulsa, my passive "Attorney" friend. No stomach, to challenge the real thing? You could see how you might measure up. You could continue the strategy of living vicariously through others, or you could grab the ring. I have a nasty serve, and even nastier return game. Daily habits, at least some days. I'm in a different time zone. I like a challenge, but I fear you would disappoint me. It's late and you bore me OSU Fan Tulsa. I think I will grant you a pardon on your attorney gaff, but you must promise to be a good boy. You know what I know, and I have no reason to bust on you further.
I'm hurt Mike. No, there's nothing you can say. I'm no Will Rogers role model? Say it is not so! I mean, all my dreams, and those lessons, down the drain. My "hip shooting "pc" (now, is that personal computer or politcally correct. I need to know exactly how I am being insulted) emotional fantasy. Have these words ever been assembled like this before. Yes Mike, that's me, a miserable life leading Ponca City Shamer. I thank you for your kind pity, especially after I busted you on the KNOW-it-all thingy. I don't know if I can recover emotionally now. No Will Rogers? Oh, the humanity!
stinker, your moral comp-ass is directed toward your name. Most of what you say smells. And no-it-all is what I meant, but you can't recognize the obvious. Anything that comes out that you don't agree with is NO. A severe case of dogmatism. And of course you resort to name calling. But, we know that and sadly for you, nobody cares. If you want to banter semantics, find another forum. And yes, 12 year olds live in my neighborhood and 13-? also. You are what scares me though. You believe everything in the paper, and what you "hear". You are certainly no Will Rogers role model. If you think you speak clearly to the issues, not to some hip-shooting "pc" emotional fantasy. And you shame Ponca City? Where the heck does that come from? What a miserable life you must have. We are all sorry for you "stinker". Oh wait... no we aren't. Hey, are you happy with the OSU decision as announced?
David, after reading your insightful and understated posts, I think you are true Presidential material. Does Ponca City have a President now? No, I think they are an autonomous collective. Shame.
Oh look everyone, OSU Fan from Tulsa is here. He is an attorney. He will straighten us all out. Go ahead Mr. Attorney. Other than Crazy Mary (She is Looney), I have certainly done no name calling Mr. Attorney. Take heart little buddy, Mary is crazy like a fox. You know, you Attorney types just intimidate me, and all. OH no, I called you an attorney. I can say that though, since that's what you said earlier today. Right? I would never personally attack someone like an attorney. I'd be out of my league, what with being a real I-Net attorney, and all.
My favorite thing about Stynker is that when all else fails, he calls people names and personally attacks. Grow up. (now go ahead and personally attack me)
As a former footballer at O-State, I'd like to throw a few comments in here. First of all, Rhode is an OU homer--everybody knows that. However, on this thing he is right. Gundy has got to immediately come out and let this kid go--loud and clear. While it's true Collins may have been a model citizen of late, he is now a confessed felon. What exactly happened, we may never know, and it is a shame that the young man got into trouble--he was stuped, the girl was stupid and her parents are worse. No matter--he's got to go. If you're trying to build a first class program, which Gundy says he is doing, there is no other decision. In fact, the kid should never have been given a scholarship. It's clear that Mack Brown's standards are higher. Of course, that's easier for him because he can get just about any player he wants, so losing Collins was not as big a deal as it is to OSU who cannot get everyone they want. Still, even though I hope the girl recovers and Collins gets his life in order--it's got to be adios from the Cowboys to him.
This is the result I thought would come out. If I have understood what happened, I think it is the correct outcome. The facts as presented in the paper are always suspect and only someone like John Rhode would accept them as true.
Collins has been suspended from the team for the remainder of the season but will remain on scholarship and in school. OSU will further evaluate his long-term status with the team after gathering more information. This was just posted by the Daily Oklahoman.
Truth Seeker, Oklahoma City - Nov 8, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Hold on a minute Rhode and all of you roadies. We have heard the trial in the newspapers and other media folks. We did not hear what was said under oath in the court of law.
From what I hear, the girl told that she was 17 and Patrick Collins was 17. He has been a model sudent and athlete as long as he has been at O. S. U. according to school officials. Yes, I know this doesn't excuse what he did, but it does show that he can be rehabilitated.
He knows that he did wrong even if he believed she was 17. He also had probably been under the influence at the time, which is not good. The bible says that God will forgive if we repent and ask to be forgiven. Our laws are based on this concept, but are influened on the seriousness of the offense. The offense in this case would be very serious if he knew her true age. I hear that she told she was 17. The court, hearing the evidence, felt that he deseves another chance. But here comes de Judge, John Rhode who who has not heard the evidence, but because of his devine wisdom has condemned the young man to lose his chance to play and perhaps denied him the chance to earn a living some day. The media needs to be careful about such judgements. It can ruin lives.
When Jesus said this He was speaking to self-appointed judges. Mr. Rhode is one of those. The proper judges will be those with authority over him i.e., OSU coaching staff, OSU administration and the judicial system.
Joe Don Looney received four F's and a D at the University of Texas. He subsequently transferred to TCU then later to OU. He punched a graduate assistant coach and was kicked off the team by Bud Wilkinson. Pretty much sums up the entire history of OU football, doesn't it?
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From what I hear, the girl told that she was 17 and Patrick Collins was 17. He has been a model sudent and athlete as long as he has been at O. S. U. according to school officials. Yes, I know this doesn't excuse what he did, but it does show that he can be rehabilitated.
He knows that he did wrong even if he believed she was 17. He also had probably been under the influence at the time, which is not good. The bible says that God will forgive if we repent and ask to be forgiven. Our laws are based on this concept, but are influened on the seriousness of the offense. The offense in this case would be very serious if he knew her true age. I hear that she told she was 17. The court, hearing the evidence, felt that he deseves another chance. But here comes de Judge, John Rhode who who has not heard the evidence, but because of his devine wisdom has condemned the young man to lose his chance to play and perhaps denied him the chance to earn a living some day. The media needs to be careful about such judgements. It can ruin lives.