This says it all about Division I athletics...

[Bocephys]

It doesn't matter what string he is and it doesn't matter if you agree with his stance. The only thing that matters is that a student was suspended/punished for saying they don't like class. Be wary of such an abuse of power and an administration that will take action against individuals exercising their 1st amendment rights.

He gave up his first amendment rights the second he accepted the scholarship.  Now he's a representative of the university and is expected to act as such.

[ATL MU Warrior]

what's thefire.org?  a site with neked ginger chicks?

It's a webiste for people that like to get their panties in a bunch about nothing.

Kind of like this place, actually...

[Blue Horseshoe]

He gave up his first amendment rights the second he accepted the scholarship.  Now he's a representative of the university and is expected to act as such.

So now you are saying that Ohio State does not allow it's students to practice their rights? It's a public University and as such the Supreme court has overwhelmingly ruled on multiple occasions that students are allowed their right of free speech. Again, this has nothing to do with the stance of Jones statement. Does Ohio State not allow students to express their views about any other topics?

[PaintTouches]

So now you are saying that Ohio State does not allow it's students to practice their rights? It's a public University and as such the Supreme court has overwhelmingly ruled on multiple occasions that students are allowed their right of free speech. Again, this has nothing to do with the stance of Jones statement. Does Ohio State not allow students to express their views about any other topics?

I think you are interpreting free speech incorrectly. The dudes have the right to say whatever they want, but the school has the right to punish them for it. And when it comes to students, the court has ruled the have very limited rights while they are in school (Bethel v. Frasier, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, Bong Hits For Jesus, etc..) 

[Pakuni]

So now you are saying that Ohio State does not allow it's students to practice their rights? It's a public University and as such the Supreme court has overwhelmingly ruled on multiple occasions that students are allowed their right of free speech. Again, this has nothing to do with the stance of Jones statement. Does Ohio State not allow students to express their views about any other topics?

The First Amendment bars the government from imposing any law impeding free speech.
It says nothing about a football team suspending a player who's exercised his free speech rights.

Regardless, suggesting that one ill-advised tweet by one football player "says it all" about the thousands of kids who participate in D-I athletics might be just a tad hyperbolic.

[JakeBarnes]

I think you are interpreting free speech incorrectly. The dudes have the right to say whatever they want, but the school has the right to punish them for it. And when it comes to students, the court has ruled the have very limited rights while they are in school (Bethel v. Frasier, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, Bong Hits For Jesus, etc..) 

This.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Does Ohio State not allow students to express their views about any other topics?

#1 They didn't kick him out of school. He is on an athletic team that has certain rules of conduct. He is being held to those rules.

#2 If he weren't on scholarship, he likely could tweet whatever he wanted. However, even non-scholarship students have some conduct restrictions. Example: A student who is disruptive in class and asked to leave is not having his/her 1st amendment rights violated. There is a code of conduct that students agree to when they enroll.

First amendment rights don't guarantee you the right to say whatever you want whenever you want. C'mon.

[Blue Horseshoe]

#1 They didn't kick him out of school. He is on an athletic team that has certain rules of conduct. He is being held to those rules.

#2 If he weren't on scholarship, he likely could tweet whatever he wanted. However, even non-scholarship students have some conduct restrictions. Example: A student who is disruptive in class and asked to leave is not having his/her 1st amendment rights violated. There is a code of conduct that students agree to when they enroll.

First amendment rights don't guarantee you the right to say whatever you want whenever you want. C'mon.

Right, but in this instance all Jones did was state that he doesn't like going to class. The earth stood still because no other college student has ever made such an outrageous claim. I don't think he did anything wrong and to punish him in such an extreme manner is wrong.

[🏀]

Right, but in this instance all Jones did was state that he doesn't like going to class. The earth stood still because no other college student has ever made such an outrageous claim. I don't think he did anything wrong and to punish him in such an extreme manner is wrong.

I think he said a little bit more than he doesn't like going to class, let's not dull his statement out here. He made it clear what he meant, football not education.

[Bocephys]

Right, but in this instance all Jones did was state that he doesn't like going to class. The earth stood still because no other college student has ever made such an outrageous claim. I don't think he did anything wrong and to punish him in such an extreme manner is wrong.

He's held to a higher standard by the nature of having a scholarship and being on the football team.  Nobodies get away with more stuff than people in the public eye.  If some kid starts tweeting about how he came to school to get drunk, not go to class and his parents saw it, wouldn't they do something since they're paying his tuition?  Is that a free speech violation too?  I'm pretty sure we're still allowed to hold people accountable for their actions and how they reflect upon the institution providing them a free education.

[Blue Horseshoe]

He's held to a higher standard by the nature of having a scholarship and being on the football team.  Nobodies get away with more stuff than people in the public eye.  If some kid starts tweeting about how he came to school to get drunk, not go to class and his parents saw it, wouldn't they do something since they're paying his tuition?  Is that a free speech violation too?  I'm pretty sure we're still allowed to hold people accountable for their actions and how they reflect upon the institution providing them a free education.

1. What standard are you referring to? Does that standard discriminate against students that are not on scholarship of any kind?
2. What do parents paying a student's tuition have to do with free speech? (it doesn't). This also wrongfully assumes that all parents provide financial aid for their kids.
3. By "holding people accountable" you really mean using force against those that have a different point of view than you. "He should be suspended because he said, 'classes are pointless.'" What?

[JakeBarnes]

1. What standard are you referring to? Does that standard discriminate against students that are not on scholarship of any kind?
2. What do parents paying a student's tuition have to do with free speech? (it doesn't). This also wrongfully assumes that all parents provide financial aid for their kids.
3. By "holding people accountable" you really mean using force against those that have a different point of view than you. "He should be suspended because he said, 'classes are pointless.'" What?

1. Most athletes have to sign into an athletic code of conduct.  That is likely the standard he is referring to.

2. It doesn't.  Sort of a non-sequitur.

3. Using terms like "using force" and the imagery of a police state university is just ridiculous.  He signed a code of conduct to act in a certain manner or face possible action by a university.  Basically, a contract. Moreover, the law supports the use of such "accountability procedures" in an academic situation.

[Blue Horseshoe]

3. Using terms like "using force" and the imagery of a police state university is just ridiculous.  He signed a code of conduct to act in a certain manner or face possible action by a university.  Basically, a contract. Moreover, the law supports the use of such "accountability procedures" in an academic situation.

But at what point is it not ok to say something "is pointless"? Would he be suspended if he said "books are pointless"? "Seat belts are pointless"? "Tutors are pointless"? "Study hour is pointless"? "Combs are pointless"?

[Bocephys]

But at what point is it not ok to say something "is pointless"? Would he be suspended if he said "books are pointless"? "Seat belts are pointless"? "Tutors are pointless"? "Study hour is pointless"? "Combs are pointless"?

This thread is pointless.  I give up.

[ATL MU Warrior]

But at what point is it not ok to say something "is pointless"? Would he be suspended if he said "books are pointless"? "Seat belts are pointless"? "Tutors are pointless"? "Study hour is pointless"? "Combs are pointless"?

It's a webiste for people that like to get their panties in a bunch about nothing.

Kind of like this place, actually...

[Slim]

I ain't come to MUSCOOP to learn about no 1st amendment!

[4everwarriors]

When the suits start mudding the water, common sense goes out the door.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Right, but in this instance all Jones did was state that he doesn't like going to class. The earth stood still because no other college student has ever made such an outrageous claim. I don't think he did anything wrong and to punish him in such an extreme manner is wrong.

I didn't say punishing him was the correct thing to do, I just said that it's not a 1st amendment issue.

If the federal or state government suspended or expelled him, then that would be a 1st amendment issue.

As it stands, it's a team enforcing it's code of conduct. The University is funding by taxpayers, but that doesn't mean that it cannot create a set of conduct rules for it's students.

The first amendment provides you protection and freedom vs government and it's agencies... not freedom from your football coach (or teachers, parents, bosses, property managers, etc.)

[JakeBarnes]

But at what point is it not ok to say something "is pointless"? Would he be suspended if he said "books are pointless"? "Seat belts are pointless"? "Tutors are pointless"? "Study hour is pointless"? "Combs are pointless"?

I know you are upset about this, but at this juncture the only thing I hear is "TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL" when you talk in combination with the peanuts noise.

[Blue Horseshoe]

I know you are upset about this, but at this juncture the only thing I hear is "TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL" when you talk in combination with the peanuts noise.

http://youtu.be/zqiucizG4hk

[Benny B]

Why should someone be forced to leave their country to work when work is available in their country? Yes, it worked for Brandon Jennings, but it hardly makes sense to force 18-year-old kids to go overseas to play when the NBA and NBADL are right here.

Second, Lebron was afforded that opportunity not because he was awesome, but because at the time everyone had that option. See also: Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, and Kwame Brown.

I love college basketball, but to say the system isn't hypocritical, especially considering how baseball works, is simply foolish. And the one-and-done system has only made it worse. In the past, a Lebron could be honest about things and go straight to the NBA, but by forcing these players to college, you are forcing guys that aren't interested in academics an won't need them for their chosen careers to attend class and by allowing such mercurial talents are encouraging schools like UCLA and Kentucky to find ways to play highest bidder.

It's ludicrous to say that this current system is for the good of the kids or the good of the game.

Frankly, I'm all for free-market professional sports -- everyone's a free agent from day one, performance-based contracts are allowed, no drafts, no age minimums, no lockouts, etc. -- but face it, that's not going to happen.   So if you want to be a professional athlete, you can follow the path your employer sets or you can find another employer; otherwise, find a different profession.