NFL
By: Brock Vierra
I would like to begin by issuing an apology to Todd McShay. He made a claim that Jalen Carter had character concerns and I was one amongst many who called him out for making reckless, damaging claims without proof. Well, Jalen Carter turned himself in when a warrant for his arrest was issued for his involvement in the car crash that led to the death of Georgia football player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy along with injuries to player Warren McClendon and staffer Victoria Bowles.
Carter is alleged to be racing a car against those four individuals when the opposing car crashed. Carter’s warrants are for two misdemeanors and he already turned himself in. McShay had inside info and was correct and he deserves an apology so I am sorry for calling McShay out.
Recently I wrote an article condemning Henry Ruggs’ actions and now I am forced to confront Carter’s. He’s a projected top 5 pick, a player that helped feed a walk-on player, and a guy for whom everyone talks highly of. He also made a mistake. Except he didn’t. A mistake is grabbing skim milk instead of soy. Carter made a decision to race on a street and though the race didn’t kill Willock and LeCroy, everyone’s decision to race did. The worse part is that I’m willing to bet all the money in my pockets that not everyone who was involved was a willing participant in said race.
And that’s the worst part. On a track or a speedway, everyone who is there wants to be there. Just like on a football field, we don’t place non-players in the heat of action because of the potential physical consequence. Even having media personnel/ filming crewmembers on the sidelines is at times dangerous. Now to put machines made of metal that can accelerate to inhumane speeds into the wrecking zone like a street is unjustifiable.
Carter like Ruggs is a playmaker. He has the potential to anchor a defensive line for the next decade. Now the question becomes how much does his off-field actions impact his evaluation and his draft stock. I don’t think one moment should impact an entire body of work but I also don’t get to make that discrepancy. One moment can impact a life and Willock/ LeCroy will never get to have a moment again.
Carter made a choice and now he has to pay for it. I’m sure his legal situation will get resolved quickly, especially when you consider he helped deliver the state’s biggest program two National Titles but that’s where the hospitality ends. I’m still debating over whether any team should take a chance on him but I don’t think he should get the luxury of being a first-round pick. He doesn’t deserve the big, guaranteed, rookie deal. He doesn’t deserve the fifth-year option. Quite frankly, I’m finding it hard to find something he deserves outside of a shot to make it on the 53-man roster and I find myself being lenient just for suggesting he should have an opportunity.
Whatever happens, GM’s have a very tough decision to make. They’re in the positions they are in to build rosters that win football games. They get paid and they keep their jobs by getting top players, not being moral police. We are asking 32 men to put aside their responsibility to their jobs and to their teams, to ignore the immense talent Carter has while the names of 31 other players are selected.
Jalen Carter will play in the NFL. Jalen Carter will be an NFL Draft pick. The only question is where. At this moment, Carter’s pro dreams will come through. This moment will change his life. At least he has the privilege to enjoy this moment.
