NCAA Rules Correctly By Not Clearing Jeremiah Masoli's To Play For Ole Miss

Everyone deserves a second chance.

If the second chance is wasted, don't complain when you don't get a third.

Jeremiah Masoli had his chance at glory. After he squandered that opportunity, he had the chance to get his life on track, prove his worth in practice, and take back over the reins of the Oregon offense next season.

Masoli threw that opportunity out the window as well. So when the NCAA ruled that he wasn't eligible to lead Ole Miss this upcoming season, it shouldn't have surprised anyone.  

He was, after all, dismissed from the team after two run-ins with the law: First, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor second-degree burglary charges in connection with stealing two laptops from a fraternity house, and initially lying to the police and Coach Chip Kelly about his role in the incident. Kelly suspended Masoli for the entire 2010 season, but allowed him to practice with the team and expected him to redshirt this season, allowing him to return for the 2011 season. Second chance given.

In June, Masoli was pulled over with marijuana in his car during a traffic stop. Many say that he shouldn't have been on the Oregon squad after the first incident, as many student-athletes have been kicked out of their respective universities for much less. After the second lapse in judgment, Masoli was rightfully dismissed from the team.

However, Masoli found a loophole. The NCAA is allowed to waive the rule leaving players ineligible for one season when they transfer universities if they have completed their undergraduate degree and their former university doesn't have a graduate program in that field.

Since Masoli had finished his undergrad degree, still had eligibility left to play football but didn't have a team, he transferred. Ole Miss has a graduate program for Parks and Recreation Management, his chosen field. Oregon does not.

The surprising aspect of the situation isn't the suspension, but how surprised Masoli seemed to be when the NCAA intervened. Masoli was quoted as saying, "I'm just shocked and disappointed...I've done everything I can to follow the rules."

Jeremiah, if the last part of that statement was true, you wouldn't be in the situation that you're facing.

Every kid in college makes mistakes, many of them serious. The charges against Masoli were severe, and the yearlong suspension was warranted. 

But everybody deserves a second chance, Masoli included, and he was given the chance to earn his spot leading the team next season through hard work, dedication, and above all, staying out of trouble. 

Apparently that was too tall of a task for Masoli, and now he is paying the price for his transgressions. He tried to skirt the rules, and he was caught. 

Anyone who thinks that his transfer request was within the spirit of the rules needs to understand that he was prepared to take more classes in Oregon to stay with the team until his suspension ended. 

His attempt at transferring is a result of the punishment he received for his stupidity. The NCAA was correct in their decision, stating that the manner in which he tried to use the NCAA rule was "contrary to the intent of the waiver." 

Hopefully, Masoli can eventually get his football career back on track, whether it be next year at the collegiate level, the UFL, the CFL, or whatever league he can find that will take him. Above that, hopefully he can eventually straighten out his life and understand that his actions have consequences. Masoli received a second chance, and he promptly crumpled up and threw in the garbage. 

Everyone deserves a second chance, but not everyone deserves a third.

And if you find yourself in the position of asking for one, you certainly can't expect that it will be given to you. 

Maybe this will finally be the wake up call that Masoli needs to quit wasting the talents he's blessed with and finally take advantage of the multiple opportunities that have been afforded to him.