OT: ND/Miami players not allowed to travel in Mexico

Submitted by Dreisbach1817 on

I find this story both ridiculous and tragic.  The sad truth is that some areas in Mexico close to the border are becoming extremely dangerous with drug wars.  But is this really what players would be doing right before a bowl game?  I figured the coaches would have a pretty tight leash on these kids, even interim coaches at Miami-- unless the Miami players arrive with their camouflage again, in which case they wouldn't get caught.

A very odd story -- but probably an essential precaution.  Also you can't blame Kelly for acting too cautious considering the tragedies that have hit ND this season.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/ncaa/12/27/sun-bowl-mexi…

Go Blue Eyes

December 27th, 2010 at 2:19 PM ^

Probably a real smart decision not to allow their players into Mexico.  With the amount of violence going on in Mexico they would potentially make for some very high profile targets if they did cross the border - even for just a few hours.

I used to go to Mexico all the time but have only been there once in the past 15 years and even then I was driven to and from my destination.

st barth

December 27th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^

....3,000 people have been killed in Ciudad Juarez this year?  And somehow Detroit gets stuck with the "murder city" tag.

BlueCE

December 27th, 2010 at 2:51 PM ^

Ciudad de Juarez and some of the border time are pretty bad, but most of Mexico is pretty safe even by US standards.

 

But yes, I would stay away from Juarez and a few of the other border towns.



Sadly I think Caracas, Venezuela is the only town that rivals Juarez as murder capital of the world.

Wolvmarine

December 27th, 2010 at 3:13 PM ^

Not really that big of a deal. As a Marine that has been on Active Duty out in So Cal, myself and most all of my fellow Marines were banned from going to Mexico for Liberty or Leave. Its really not that big of a deal.

lhglrkwg

December 27th, 2010 at 3:16 PM ^

while they're at their bowl sites. i doubt they practice into the night very often

2. becoming dangerous? im pretty sure i've heard Juarez called 'the murder capital of the western hemisphere'

SysMark

December 27th, 2010 at 3:39 PM ^

From what I understand of the current situation in many parts of Mexico this is a prudent move.  Hoping for the sake of the innocent residents there they get it under control ASAP.  A lot of lives are being destroyed.

KSmooth

December 27th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^

There's one part of this story that really bothers me, and that is the part where Jim Kelly took his players' passports away from them.  That passport belongs to the person to whom it is issued, much like a drivers license.  I understand why a coach would want to rule out a trip into Mexico -- the situation has gotten pretty bad down there -- but that step was uncalled for.

KSmooth

December 28th, 2010 at 10:26 AM ^

So if Coach told the players that they shouldn't vote, and took away their voter registration cards to make sure they didn't, that would be okay, because Kelly's the coach and these players are on scholarship and agreed to follow his instructions?

Like I said, I get what Kelly's trying to do here -- his intentions are decent enough and if he wants to announce that any player who travels to Mexico will be suspended I could understand that.  But the precedent of taking away passports presents all kinds of problems to me.  That's beyond his authority.

The ends are understandable, but the means really bother me.

lhglrkwg

December 27th, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^

if brian kelly lets them keep their passports, a few guys actually go to mexico, and someone actually gets killed, do you think he would look back and say "at least i didnt offend anyone by taking their passports. that was close"

i don't mean to sound insensitive, but i think this is obviously the right call

KSmooth

December 28th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^

It's not a matter of giving offense.  Its a matter of taking something that isn't yours to take.  If Kelly is really worried about kids sneaking off to Mexico, he should make sure there's lots of team events, take roll, and keep close tabs on his players.

If my boss warns me about going to the nude bars in Canada, I'll respect that, but he has no right to take my passport even if he is motivated by legitimate concerns about my safety.

Bronco648

December 27th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^

My wife and I were headed to Hermosillo to vacation on the Sea of Cortez in February.  The State Department issue a warning for all US Citizens to use an "armored vehicle" when travelling in/thru Hermosillo.  Well, that's enough for me, we switched our vacation plans to Arizona.  It's pretty bad when even the local Mexican Nationals won't go back home for the holidays as cars with US plates are routinely targeted.  'Nuff said.

cjpops

December 27th, 2010 at 5:05 PM ^

Student representatives of universities have to follow certain rules. Everything from travel attire to curfew is monitored.  Also, this is just for the protection of the students.  Brian Kelly is just being cautious and rightfully so.  I mean this in the most respectful way possible...there have been enough tragic happenings in South Bend this season.

Those kids have no business in Mexico, drug war or not.  If I was a ND or Miami parent, I would applaud this move.

st barth

December 27th, 2010 at 5:51 PM ^

...the Toledo & FIU players were banned from Canada during their Pizza Bowl visit?  With the lower drinking age in Canada, I would think so.

Feat of Clay

December 28th, 2010 at 1:18 AM ^

Not that surprising. I think UM has a similar travel advisory for staff, faculty, and students--never mind the fact that we are not at a bowl game where it's easy and tempting to go. I'd bet a number of institutions have similar restrictions. No surprise then that these schools would be firm about it.

Talcelm

December 29th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^

Mexico ain't what it used to be...kidnappings...beheadings...straight up thugery...Miami Players should be used to that right? Too much too soon??