After spending the last several weeks trying to get business and life back to normal after Hurricane Gustav, I figured that an important, albeit overlooked, problem plaguing this nation was as good a reason as any to return to the pack.
No, I’m not talking about the U.S. economy. In fact, many of you will be surprised at how much better the economic news will get after the presidential election. But enough about politics.
The issue I would like to shed light on today is a condition known as TCF (Temporary Cranial Flatulence). The condition is also known, in laymen’s terms, as “brain farts.”
TCF has plagued locker rooms and postgame interviews for years, but we are just now beginning to learn the depth of its impact.
When asked about how his squad will try to stop Tim Tebow this Saturday night, LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois said, "If we get a good shot on [Tebow], we're going to try our best to take him out of the game. ... With his size and his heart, it's hard to get a clean shot.”
Well, let’s just start with the obvious. No matter what, whether you’re joking or not, whether you are trying to get under the skin of your opponent or not, you never ever make a remark that can be remotely interpreted as willfully and purposely attempting to injure another player. Ever.
After all, this isn't Auburn.
Jean-Francois is the latest victim claimed by TCF, and it put his entire team in a bad light on a national stage. Smack talk is fine, and it should be encouraged as it raises the level of intensity going into a game. But Ricky’s comments crossed the line, thanks to TCF.
Now, Jean-Francois has since clarified his comments by utilizing the standard retraction line of athlete TCF sufferers: “We respect him as a player and competitor...blah, blah, blah." Well done.
But here’s the thing: Even though you shouldn’t say things like this about any athlete, why say it about Tim Tebow?
Look, as much as anyone over the last three years, I have dug deep in trying to find a reason to hate this kid. I can’t. He’s a good player, but more than that, he’s a great person.
15 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Justin Goar 9 months ago
that's a familiar score. i'd love to see last year's history repeated.
RJF (or the SID i'm guessing) clarified the statement to say he meant take him out of the game as a factor not as in to injure him.
i can't believe a student athlete would actually say to a interviewer from florida that he's going to intentionally injure anothe player.
context plays a big part in this, and it always worth it to look at the artist who's painting the picture.
great read.
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Brian Scott 9 months ago
I initially thought RJF meant to render TT ineffective, but then the follow up comment about Florida's medical staff and finding TT in the training room on Sunday made it kind of hard to crawfish out of.
Thanks for the comment!
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Justin Goar 9 months ago
yeah i guess i see your point. i guess i just thught it was more like we are going to bang him up not aim for his knees or neck or something.
nice to see you back to writing!!!
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Tim Pollock 9 months ago
Good stuff; however:
"Since their own stadium is universally accepted as the loudest college football stadium in America, don’t expect the Tigers to get rattled by the crowd."
Even Jarrett Lee? Yes, he played great ball in the second half at Jordan-Hare at night, but: 1.) Auburn is terrible and cannot score (whereas FL can), and 2.) Just one mistake early could give FL the cushion they need to win.
I'm thinking we're going to get a Riley Cooper sighting. The kid has been missing from FL's offense this year, and FL-LSU games seem to create games where dudes step up.
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Brian Scott 9 months ago
Yeah Lee could get rattled, but he knows what a loud crowd really sounds like. Even though he wasn't playing last year he was still on the sidelines and has seen what a hostile environment can do to a game. If he shows poise in The Swamo he'll be an overnight star.
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Tiger in Europe 9 months ago
Tebow is definately a class act. Usually, so are the Tigers. I think this is more sport writer hype than a real threat, but sometimes what you said is what you meant.
Just hope the refs feel it is hype as well, otherwise everytime someone comes within an inch of Timmy, Florida will get some yards.
They could get a 100 yard drive out of penalties alone after the TCF episode.
I'm a Tiger fan so naturally, I think they will win. As a College Football fan in general, I think the Tigers are the better team.
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Justin Goar 9 months ago
last year beckwith hit tebow in bounds and got a 15 yarder, i expect more of the same this year.
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Tim Pollock 9 months ago
Goar,
A little early for excuses, isn't it?
Kidding, dude.
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Justin Goar 9 months ago
nah i like to make excuses early so i can get them out of the way and not be one of these people who make excuses after the fact.
i like to predict my excuses.
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Timothy Croley 9 months ago
Good stuff Brian. What a way you had with words in this article. I liked the way you approached this one!
See you joined the rest of the college football world and got your poke at Aubie in there.
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shawn clark 9 months ago
He just made things harder for their defense. A questionable hit on Tebow will result in a 15 yard personal foul penalty. Way to go Rickey! Special Teams will win this game. Fla 31 LSU 20!
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Brian Scott 9 months ago
While Beckwith's hit on Tebow was clearly in bounds, as evidenced by the video replay, the defense has to be mindful that refs are generally protective of QB's and will flag even the closest of calls.
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Keith Richard 9 months ago
I think the refs will be looking for anything from both sides. This one will be called close and I just hope that it will not affect the outcome of the game.
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Lisa Horne 9 months ago
Good to see you back here...you've been missed! Ricki's comments were no big deal....everybody wants to take out the QB, and by that they mean take him out of the position of being a factor. They want him to pay the price for standing in the pocket and taking time to find WRs. All good D men want to do that
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Nick The Only 9 months ago
LSU will likely get blown out in this one. The teamwork of Florida's O-line was a weakness, but RJF's comments should motivate them to play together and play hard. If Florida's O-line can open some holes, their RBs will be gashing LSU's defense all day.
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