But that should come as no surprise to anybody who’s read my thoughts on redemption cases in the past.

That said, he’s going to have a very interesting journey in college. Just about every coed that recognizes him will have this knowledge a priori. All of us guys are really supposed to treat women with the utmost respect, but I have a feeling he’s going to have to go out of his way on this one.

If for no other reason than P.R., he’s going to be on a very short leash. Anything that hints at trouble with him is going to be broadcast rapidly and in the worst manner during the knee-jerk phase of reporting, so the football program will have to be very careful to protect its own reputation. He undoubtedly knows this, and it sounds like he’ll self-impose a shorter leash than anybody else.

One thing I hope he can do is demonstrate to the team how one spur-of-the-moment mistake can change a person’s life forever.

BTW Joel, thanks for addressing the public record aspect of this. I was very curious how that could have happened.

The one quote in the article about how if he had moved west and buried it all behind him that it would have been wrong to the victim to pretend like it never happened, I thought that was very mature. If this kid becomes a significant contributor for us, the graphic nature of both the situation and the details are going to lend themselves to more publicity – hopefully he continues to handle it with maturity.

He’s getting one of their highest honors at graduation, and they’re not the type to stake their reputation on a chancy case.

221 S.W.3d 531

Looks like they appealed. that have anything to do with revealing the names?

I’ve taken some hits for not coming out and addressing the situation with a post but only in the comments section, and I just wanted to say that I have no problem with not having a clear-cut opinion on this situation. It’s tough. If the cousin vouches for him, it’s hard to continue to drag him through the coals. That said, I just can’t stomach the situation.

I thought Hood should have gone somewhere where he could have started fresh. But he seemed mature in his comments about not running from the situation. I hope (and think) he is a good player and — more importantly — a rehabilitated person, and with his comments at least, he hasn’t shown anything that would make me think he isn’t.

I don’t think Kiffin would have taken him if he was JUST a good player with a horrible past. The right people have vouched for him. It’s up to Hood to prove that he is a changed person, and he has been doing that for the past several years. It is now Tennessee’s problem, though. I just don’t think there will be one.

First, as FSUncensored was to careful to not venture into the realm of team-bashing over this, I think it’s alright if we just assume that people aren’t making a team-bashing statement unless that’s the only viable way to interpret it (e.g. UThug). This whole thing goes way beyond any issues of fandom and team loyalty in that regard, so I think that if somebody’s expressing an honest opinion or otherwise being civil, we shouldn’t let this issue devolve into tribalism by pegging them to the wall over it.

Second, I heartily agree with Ghost about not having a resolved opinion right now. This is a huge pill to swallow, and honestly, it’s one we should never have even known about (legally speaking). We’re all in quick-reflex mode right now, so it’s prudent to let it simmer.

As far as whether he should have gone to UT or somewhere else for a fresh start … wow, that’s tough. I see the arguments in finding a clean slate, although going elsewhere would mean all of the dirt would follow him (thanks, internet!) but very little of the vouching; we have the luxury in K-ville of having his family, friends, and his high school authorities on hand to speak on his behalf. In particular, the admin at Catholic is very highly regarded and their endorsement carries a lot of weight in Knoxville that is not necessarily felt elsewhere.

Personally, I’m glad he chose Tennessee. The risk is higher; any mistake is amplified more in a community that knows you than one that doesn’t. However, the reward is greater as well. Four years of spotless behavior on an always local / sometimes national stage gives the kid an extraordinary chance to show everybody what he’s like today. I’m an incurable hopeful and a terribly merciful person, so take this in context, but I would love nothing more than to see him regain full acceptance into this very community; it’s such a rare thing for somebody to achieve, especially for crimes of this nature.

But yes, Ghost, this is tough.

…that’s all that people will see.

It’s hard to improve the program’s image by signing a rapist – regardless of the circumstances. You may not care about Tennessee’s reputation. I do. I think when you are trying to clean up your program you stay clear of cases like this, even if he has turned his life around.

Fans especially students can be brutal towards model citizens let alone guys with a record. Obviously what he did was far worse than anything people can say to him but that doesn’t mean he should be subject to repeated verbal onslaught from rival fans every time the team travels. Hopefully that in particular won’t be too much of an issue.

if he’s not from Knoxville or local East TN area.

Has had plenty to wonder about ! It has made for good reading and great debate. I’m waiting until we sign a full blown (no pun intended) homosexual ! Can’t wait to see the blogs on that. : )

Two good point you guys have discussed is the PR nightmare this will create for the University and “Is the talent worth the risk?”. However, perhaps even more difficult for me to digest and mull is the relationship between the two.

As bad as this looks to sign a player with this background (no matter how long ago it was) the sad truth to me seems to be that if Hood’s talent develops into something explosive and impressive things will only get worse. As a fan the general hope is that all your recruits develop into great players but only some do.

I don’t think this is worth the risk because i cant imagine how bad it will get if Hood becomes an all SEC player. If he becomes a star this can only make the story more widespread and embarrassing IMO. No outside the lines report can ever turn this story around for the general public. Hood says “I’ve got a debt to her that I can never repay, just trying to throw it away like it never happened would be the worst thing I could do for her.” and in the same way i dont think anything he can do on the field can ever turn this into a redemption story.

apparently Adams thinks Hood deserves redemption, but Tennessee shouldn’t be offering it.