WreckingCrew

January 20th, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^

Stupid is not the right word. You have no idea about this kids background/upbringing. If anything, it's unfortunate. Stupid applies better to the kids who have everything and squander it with a drug charge, not the kids who have fallen on hard times. Show a little compassion

Joined: 08/19/2009

MGoPoints: 141

GOBLUE4EVR

January 20th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^

has nothing to do with it, if anything its a crutch that to many people use... this kid WAS given everything and he DID squander it... i showed him compassion when he got into trouble during the season and got kicked off of the team then... i loved the fact that he was working his ass off to get back on to the team... and then he goes and gets popped for possession... yes i call that stupid and pathetic... i do hope that he figures his shit out and finishes school...

Joined: 01/09/2009

MGoPoints: 4273

WreckingCrew

January 20th, 2010 at 6:36 PM ^

that it can be a crutch at times. Sometimes, it is inappropriate. But keep in mind: a college scholarship isn't everything. Some people, in their upbringing, aren't given the tools to make the most of their opportunities. I don't think it's necessarily excusable, I just think "pathetic" and "stupid" don't take outside factors into consideration.

Joined: 08/19/2009

MGoPoints: 141

goody

January 20th, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^

the college's responsibility to babysit a player all the way through their 4 yrs. The college does give these kids all the tools they need to succeed in their classes and free time. Study Halls, tutors, mentors, a whole damn football team to help, not to mention all the student activities for them to meet new people and stay out of trouble. In the end it comes down the the player or student to take advantage of these opportunities to stay out of trouble and succeed. Don't blame his up bringing for his lack of "tools". They either have the drive to succeed or the drive to get things handed to them.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1532

4godkingandwol…

January 20th, 2010 at 7:31 PM ^

... how stupid can you be? While it does not excuse him of responsibility for his actions, to say a person's upbringing does not influence their decision making is wholly ignorant. Was his decision stupid? Yes. Do you have ANY idea what led to his decisions? No. Would you, given the same upbringing, make different decisions? Until you can -- with 100% confidence -- answer that question in the affirmative you really ought not spout off so flippantly and ignorantly when somebody throws their life in the gutter. It does nobody any good.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 31271

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 7:36 PM ^

I wholly agree with you and will sign off on this post 100%. I have been there. I have walked with these kids 100% and I can say without hesitation that the vast majority of others would have folded under the pressure to the point where U of M would have never even considered them, and to make it out is a minor miracle, but a miracle none the less.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

jmblue

January 20th, 2010 at 7:26 PM ^

I am aware of the kid's background, but here's the bottom line: he could have been reinstated to the football team if he'd gotten his act together, gone to class and stayed out of legal trouble. Most of the guys on the team (who are often from equally disadvantaged backgrounds - just read that Pahokee story in the Daily again) are able to pull this off. For Cissoko to blow this chance is frustrating.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102715

FL_Steve

January 20th, 2010 at 5:27 PM ^

I guess he went from picking off passes to picking up Misdemeanors. To bad he could have had a bright career. Maybe MSU will pick him up and show him how to really piss off the law.

Joined: 01/14/2009

MGoPoints: 1866

HAIL 2 VICTORS

January 20th, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^

It sucks that the poor decesions you make at 18-19 years of age are those you look back on when you are 40 and just think...damn. I hope Cissoko finds a way to get his degree from somewhere and grows from this.

Joined: 12/01/2009

MGoPoints: 21028

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^

Boo boo was a good guy, regardless of these charges. I've had too many friends go down this road to automatically say OMG WHAT A FUCKUP. Call me ignorant, call me old fashioned, but I go by my personal interactions with people above all else.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^

I think calling the kid a fuck up is pretty douchey. Maybe he's made a few mistakes, but jesus, people are acting like he's an awful human being. Have you ever met him? Do you know shit about him? Where he's from? His family situation? Why he might resort to these kind of things? I'm just saying that I'm from a similar background to a lot of these kids and I know the temptations. A lot of the best people I've ever known in my life have succumb to these type of things because there was nothing else available to them. I'm not gonna lie, I've done a lot of the same things they've done and worse. People wrote me off, but I got my act together, made it into and graduated from U of M based on my writing (almost all of which stems from my younger days). So a big FUCK YOU to everyone who has ever spoken shit to kids like this.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 6:09 PM ^

I understand, and the whole "eff you" comment was in no way directed towards you. I just believe that it's always important to watch what you say, even if it is on the internet. I've met Eugene Germany, who sold drugs on campus (he asked me if I wanted some green and I said no), and he was a real asshole. I've met Boo boo, and he was a good guy. The fact that he admitted the drugs weren't for personal use only further emphasizes that he is a good kid caught up in some bad shit. If he was me circa a lotta years back he would have lied through his teeth to get himself off, but he didn't, he sold himself up the river, and at the very least, that's a start toward moving in the direction he needs to be moving.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

bluebyyou

January 20th, 2010 at 6:17 PM ^

I agree, it may be unfair to condemn young kids and write them off; but you must remember, there are an awful lot of other Michigan student-athletes who come from less than stellar backgrounds and who take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that schools like Michigan provide. Hopefully, he will turn his life around.

Joined: 09/07/2009

MGoPoints: 18531

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^

I agree, but you need to keep in mind that not everyone has the mental ability to block out all of those negative influences and overcome that adversity. I would hazard a guess that for every one kid that makes it, at least another 20 fall through the cracks (and that number is in all likelihood MUCH MUCH MUCH greater), and you might hear about 1 of them every once and awhile. More often then not the "good kids" who make it are paraded about, while those that fail are bandied about like pariahs as long as they live. I know what it's like first hand to have a promising high school athletic career ended by a severe knee injury that you could not afford financially to correct, and then to be further buried with drugs, alcohol, and other influences. Not every kid can rise from that. 99% never do.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

Geaux_Blue

January 20th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^

sooooo... shitty things confront individuals. the courts often consider this in the sentencing guidelines. however, the mentorship and environment provided to these players in ann arbor is more than enough to zone out the rest IF YOU WANT IT ENOUGH. selling drugs, avoiding school and making a mockery out of any sort of opportunity to return that RR was offering? that's selfish, ridiculous and has zero defensibility based upon 'poor influences.' last i checked State Street wasn't too fucked up. why is it that all the other Cass Tech football alums are able to avoid these horrible influences? is it, perhaps, that they aren't as selfish with their opportunities and focused on not fucking up?

Joined: 01/25/2009

MGoPoints: 24096

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^

I'm not sure if you know this but...Boubacar is from Africa. He went from Ghana, to Detroit. Not sure if you know much about Ghana or Africa (I'm sure you know about Detroit), but his living situation wasn't exactly akin to typical Cass Tech students. Some kids make it out, and some don't. Who are you to criticize? The vast majority of them fail, maybe a few make it every year, but hundreds don't, and that's just Detroit.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

bliang

January 20th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^

    Per capita, GDP comparison (PPP, World Bank, 2008):
  • Ghana $1452, Rank #140
  • Guinea $1204, Rank #145
I'd argue that the terminology "much poorer" is misleading. Poor is poor is poor. Additionally, Ghana is only 2828 sq. mi. smaller in area than Guinea. A better reference would have been to consult Foreign Policy's Failed States index (published yearly), in which we see that Guinea (#9, "on alert") is in a much more precarious state than Ghana (#124, "warning").

Joined: 09/10/2009

MGoPoints: 78

TheLastHarbaugh

January 21st, 2010 at 1:22 AM ^

Not sure what your problem is with me, other than the fact that you seem to be a well to do pretentious prick who loves to hate on kids whose circumstances are worse than your own. Guinea is worse off than Ghana. I said as much. How was I exaggerating? I've been around for awhile and you have to be one of the most ignorant posters I've ever encountered. Glad you're not out there on the recruiting trail, because most of these kids come from similar circumstances. You should feel privileged that you haven't had to deal with such tragedy in your life. It's just really sad to see others with absolutely not perspective opine about what these kids should and shouldn't do when they have no clue about their situation. You clearly have no clue what you're talking about, and don't know anything about what kids like Boubacar have had to go through. I wish you had the mental capacity to empathize with these kids, seeing as you don't have the slightest idea what they have to deal with on a daily basis. Instead you choose to lob generalizations at them and condemn them when you would in all likelihood fold under the pressures that they face. Spend a night out on the streets of Detroit, (and not downtown). Then after one fucking night out there, imagine what it's like to live your life in that kind of environment and then come back and talk to me. Until then keep living in your safe little world.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

Geaux_Blue

January 20th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^

... cissoko wanted back on the team and presumably had placed himself on RR's radar as to earning his place back. with whatever issue occurred during this, he was also given an opportunity at GVSU. i'm unsure if this was merely academic or for football as well but it shows he was provided an opportunity to be in school, get his life on track and move on from his first mistake. instead he chose not to show up and instead sell drugs in Ypsi. how can you possibly claim this is being 'caught up in bad shit' versus flat out making decisions that contrast a genuinely 'good path.' i wish him all the best to stop fucking up and get his shit together but you're acting like he got in a scrap with someone and not, you know, fucked up with the law twice in less than a year. were you on the "don't judge winston because i know people who've made illegal decisions and he might be a good kid" bandwagon too? because it seems you're going quite far to defend some pretty shitty decisions by claiming no judgment should be cast.

Joined: 01/25/2009

MGoPoints: 24096

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^

I will be the first to admit that I was extremely harsh on Winston. After all he had committed a few acts of violence, which IMO, is far worse than selling or doing drugs. But then again, had I met Winston and spoken with him in the same manner I had spoken with Boo boo, and had he been of the same character of Boubacar then I would probably be one of the only people here defending him. I might not be defending his getting kicked off of the team, and I definitely not defending Boubacar getting kicked off of the team, but I would definitely be defending him as a person. Then again, Winston's actions were very violent, while Boubacar's were not, and therein lies the difference (at least with me). As for you whole statement about......"instead he chose not to show up and instead sell drugs in Ypsi. how can you possibly claim this is being 'caught up in bad shit' versus flat out making decisions that contrast a genuinely 'good path.'". The only thing I can say is unless you have lived it, you don't know shit about it, so shut the fuck up about it. I know that seems harsh, but the only way to understand that mindset and the rational behind it, is to live it. Selling drugs is your only rational option when you've got no money for food. Maybe you can get a job if you've got a few weeks, but if you've got no money, you can't live for few weeks, unless you eat out of a garbage can. I'm not sure how many people on this board have been faced with that option but, I'm pretty sure most people would take the easy way out, and trust me....if Boubacar was a bad kid and trash like you're making him out to be, then he wouldn't have gotten caught.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

Geaux_Blue

January 20th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^

you're making it seem like he was selling pot in ypsi because he had no other options. HE WAS ENROLLED AT GVSU. HE HAD A BIG TEN COACH SAYING THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY HE COULD COME BACK. HIS SCHOLARSHIP HADN'T EXPIRED FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR. HE HAD OPTIONS. you're handicapping his ability to be an adult by claiming a survival instinct overwhelmed the situation. do you know he had the sort of poor upbringing you've bestowed upon him? did you talk to him for hours about the life you two share? or did you meet the guy at a party, find him likable and immediately attach your feelings for friends in similar fucked up paths to him? because frankly you're defending him like we're all horrible for thinking he's a fuck up when he's got TWO STRIKES IN LESS THAN A YEAR GET I GET AN AMEN FROM USER 'CAPS LOCK'

Joined: 01/25/2009

MGoPoints: 24096

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 6:56 PM ^

I don't know if you're getting upset or not. I mean, you've got no reason to be, so I'll just assume that you're not and your caps are just your way of emphasizing your point. So this kid had a scholarship offer from GVSU. Big fucking deal. was GVSU paying for his food the last few weeks? No. Fuck no. He doesn't exactly have a stable financial base to draw from if he fucks up with money. I mean, when I went to U of M I got $1200 to pay for rent, food, books and everything else. You know how quickly that shit is gone? Especially when you're a freshman. Imagine, you've never had any money before and all of a sudden you're handed this check for $1,200. You're a football player ans suddenly everyone from this university loves you and wants your attention. You're not thinking about tomorrow, you're thinking about right here and now. You're invited to every party, you get free booze, girls galore, and everyone is telling you how great you are, no one, other than the coaches, is criticizing you. I've been there. I've been on several AAU all star teams for basketball. I've lived with coaches who gave me everything I wanted, and I had the luxury of having all of that taken away from me via an injury. If you haven't lived it, then there's no real way I can explain it to you. I'm trying my best but I'm sorry I've failed.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 8:10 PM ^

I agree, but what if yo had no parental guidance? What if throughout your youth everyone who had a job was treated as a busta, and ragged on by all of your friends? What if you had been bred by your surroundings to believe that working as a fast food junkie or a waiter was bullshit and shit that losers and "fags" did? What if most of the people you knew couldn't find jobs because of who they were, no matter how hard they tried? What if everyone that you knew who busted their ass off was struggling to make ends meat or afford to have a place to live while all of your friends or people that you knew who sold yay had new cars, women, houses, and all sorts of shit? You'd probably end up doin the same shit they did when things got tough. It ain't an excuse, it's the truth, and it's a hard fuckin truth to learn for someone who ain't ever lived this shit.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

Geaux_Blue

January 20th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^

everything you said is a defense for a kid fucking up at 14-18 and getting a second chance to play college ball. it is not a defense for a MAN fucking up at 18-19 after being afforded one of the greatest opportunities an athlete, from anywhere, can be offered. he was given an opportunity he chose to disrespect that took the opportunity to play for Michigan from another player with similar dreams who very VERY likely would not have squandered it. he's not someone making poor choices in his life and fucking himself over like the examples you've rolled out. he let down his family, his future, himself and, specifically, his team. that's a fuck up.

Joined: 01/25/2009

MGoPoints: 24096

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 7:03 PM ^

If you think that being 18 or 19 makes you man, you're just unequivocally wrong in that statement. Age doesn't make you a man, especially when you haven't had any men in your life to teach you what it means to be a man. I know people who are much older than I am that are still children as far as I'm concerned. As for your conjecture that another kid wouldn't have squandered the scholarship, it's bullshit. You don't know that, and one other kid is being given that scholarship as we speak so it's a moot point anyway. THis isn't about whether or not Boo boo fucked up his scholarship, it's about people treating him like he's garbage or a fuck up when they don't know shit about him. Have you met him? Do you know shit about him? Who are you to judge if you've never walked a mile in his shoes?

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710

TheLastHarbaugh

January 20th, 2010 at 7:17 PM ^

Haha, I will definitely admit that Eugene was cool cat, and an interesting character, but he was an asshole none the less. Never to me, but he was definitely an asshole. Not to name drop, but I'm going to name drop. I lived next door to BG and BMinor. They are two of the nicest people you will ever meet in your life. I just talked to BG (KBG is my self appointed nickname for him "Killah Brandon Graham" a take off of KGB. I know it's stupid) a few days ago. I've never met anyone with as much passion for Michigan sports as he has (he would drag the people in our hall freshman year to go see women's basketball games) and I've never met anyone with as positive an outlook on life as he has. I'm serious when I say that we could all learn from KBG the person. He treats everyone with respect, and acts as though he is just this totally unassuming collage kid (which he is, aside from the fact he should be a top 20 draft pick). I will never forget watching the 06 BCS show with him when Florida got picked over us to play OSU in the title game (he told me and me roomie beforehand that we were not playing in the title game) and the determination on his face when he said we would beat USC. Just a cool guy and one of my favorite people of all time. BMinor is really chill too (not to leave him out). He is the exact opposite in real life as he is on the field. Just a really nice guy, who likes to hang out and play video games (don't ever challenge his ass to Goldeneye, he ain't lyin when he says he's good). I'm hoping that they succeed more than any U of M athlete to date because I've had the pleasure of getting to really know them as people and finding out that they are really REALLY cool cats.

Joined: 08/06/2008

MGoPoints: 10710