Who do you REALLY feel bad for?

It seems like many people feel terrible for Brandon Davies right now. That is understandable. He made a mistake, got suspended, and is now being talked about on Sportscenter and is on the front page of ESPN.com



Sure, I feel bad for Brandon, but he's not who I feel the WORST for. In order, here's exactly who I feel bad for, and why:



1. The team - and in particular, Jimmer and Emery. The team has given their all, devoted countless hours in practice and training, preparing themselves and the team to reach this point. They have battled through injuries, illness, and general fatigue to climb to the top of the polls and begin what could very well be the greatest tourney run in BYU bball history. All to see it (potentially) derailed by a teammate's suspension. I can't imagine what Jimmer, Jackson, and the gang are thinking/feeling right now.



2. The coaching staff. Basically, for the same reason as the players. I feel slightly LESS bad for the coaching staff, because they are paid, and will get paid regardless of what happens or doesn't happen due to this suspension, and also because their bodies aren't taking a physical beating like the players' are.



3. The fans. That's right, the fans. Myself included. BYU has hundreds of thousands of fans who have been waiting patiently through DECADES of mediocrity for THIS VERY TEAM. We've supported BYU through the darkest hour (1-26), we've suffered diligently through disappointing seasons, enjoying some mild success followed by having our hearts broken by early tourney exits, and we've continued to support the team. We've gone to games, paid Cougar Club dues, and watched and supported the teams at BYU for literally DECADES, waiting for THIS VERY TEAM. It seemed that our dreams as BYU bball fans were about to come true. Things that we didn't really ever dare even hope for (i.e. #1 seeds, national POY, and final 4 runs) were suddenly within our grasp. And that all came crashing down in the span of however long it takes to (in my case) read a 7-word text message. For all of you faithful Cougar fans who have been patiently waiting and supporting the team year after year after year...only to have THIS happen...I feel bad for you. And I'm one of you.



4. Brandon Davies. Can you imagine being in Davies' shoes right now? Some might think that he got what he deserved. It may be true. Until we find out (IF we find out) what caused the suspension, we won't know if he "deserved" this punishment. But that's only the half of it. EVERYONE who cares at ALL about sports now knows that Davies was kicked off of the team for an HC violation. It's been talked about again and again in local and national media. It's on Sportscenter (!!!!) and ESPN.com and CNNSI.com. He can't show his face in Provo. I imagine he's gone into hiding. Plus...he also has to deal with the HC gestapo (but that's another story).



In sum, I feel bad for hundreds of thousands of people. And Davies' is pretty far down that list. What makes this incredibly difficult to swallow is it's not just Davies who is being punished. Its also the team, the coaches, and the fans.

yup. that about sums it up.

I actually also feel sorry for the Honor Code office and any ecclesiastical leaders (i.e. bishop) who may be involved in this process. I can't imagine any of them want to burst this great bubble we've all been riding, and no one likes to be the "bad guy." I don't think I could work in the Honor Code office. What a heart-breaking job! Can you imagine spending your time at work policing moral and ethical violations?

NebraskaCoug wrote:
I actually also feel sorry for the Honor Code office and any ecclesiastical leaders (i.e. bishop) who may be involved in this process. I can't imagine any of them want to burst this great bubble we've all been riding, and no one likes to be the "bad guy." I don't think I could work in the Honor Code office. What a heart-breaking job! Can you imagine spending your time at work policing moral and ethical violations?

Interesting take. Hadn't thought about it from that perspective. I've always pictured the HC office as a bunch of Michelle Peralta acolytes who would love nothing more than to derail the careers of BYU athletes - disturbed :utard: -like individuals who cackle madly as they dole out uber-harsh punishments against Y athletes. I've never stopped to consider that maybe they're "real" people who have feelings and stuff like that...

I'm sick and tired of those who complain about the Honor Code.



When my daughter was a freshman at BYU 23 years ago, she had two roomates (out of 5) that would brazenly bring guys in to sleep in their bedrooms overnight. After counseling with us, she and the other 3 turned them in and the HC sent them back to their homes wherever they were from. Then their places were taken by 2 girls who were willing to live by the HC.



I'm grateful that there are places like BYU. Not like other colleges where nothing would be done about such situations.



I am amazed that any on this board think that team morale would have been better if the guys on the team knew what had happened and nothing had been done about it. Think of great sports coaches. (Vince Lombardi comes to mind. How would he have reacted to someone breaking an important team rule? Exactly as Rose has reacted. That is why he is the epitomy of a great leader.)

I don't think people on this board, especially those of us who attended BYU, are "complain[ing] about the Honor Code" per se. I think any complaining you hear is about the process of proclaiming violations (sans details) to the world.



I would bet that only a handful of people heard about the violations of those girls who lived with your daughter, and that is the way it should be. The opportunity for those girls to repent and change should be preserved without having to wear a scarlet letter for the rest of their lives.



I understand the whole argument about Davies being a "public figure" thereby justifying his public shaming, but I don't fully buy that. I think the university could still maintain its integrity without disclosing what kind of violation occurred (i.e. academic, honor code, etc.)



I also understand the feeling that some have that people like Davies need to be "made an example" so that the cautionary tale frightens people into complying, but that doesn't really square with the teachings of the church that founded BYU. What ever happened to doing the right thing for the right reasons?

I still feel the worst for Brandon. We've all made mistakes, although maybe not to this degree, but few if any of us have had our mistakes be so prominent or potentially costly. I hope he works through and comes back better.