A Clemson football player who gained national attention by becoming the legal guardian of his little brother had his scholarship taken away.
Phil Taylor of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED updates the latest sad turn of Ray Ray McElrathbey, who was able to get the NCAA to allow him to accept financial assistance to help raise his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr. But Tommy Bowden decided that Ray Ray’s scholarship money could go to better uses:
Although Clemson coach Tommy Bowden has been vague in his explanations, it appears that he pulled McElrathbey’s scholarship because, after signing 25 new recruits last month, the Tigers had to take away some existing scholarships to stay under the NCAA maximum of 85. With several running backs ahead of him on the depth chart, Ray Ray became expendable. “We’re pretty good at running back right now,” coach Tommy Bowden said, as if that was the only issue.
Cold-blooded? Heartless? You bet. Having one more scholarship to hand out isn’t going to change Clemson’s program in any significant way, but losing it certainly could change Ray Ray and Fahmarr’s lives.
And the decision also changes Bowden’s & Clemson’s perception in public opinion. The school, that had such a feel good story about a young man taking responsibility and doing something right, can now been seen a greedy, heartless program who could care less about their players’ problems if they’re not All-American selections.
But maybe another college can take advantage of Clemson’s apathy and offer McElrathbey a new scholarship. Such a generous offer would do a lot for the new school’s goodwill - and get them some good publicity.
As for Bowden & crew? Hope they enjoy another 6-6 Champs Sports Bowl-loss season.
11:40 pm on March 12th, 2008
Wow. This is about the coldest thing I’ve ever seen. Put me down in the “hope Tommy Bowden never wins another game” column. What a slimeball.
My favorite teams this year are anybody that plays Clemson. Goooooo other guys!
I think you should have used the a$$holes tag here Jason.
11:10 am on March 13th, 2008
Ha, ooh we feel so bad for Ray Ray, well the article makes no mention of Ray Ray’s academic problems. Oh that’s right, he’s not holding up his end of the scholarship bargain and financial help. Boo hoo, cry me a river!
Tell him to pass his classes if he wants to keep the free home for his bro.
1:57 pm on March 13th, 2008
TigerBait23 makes a good point. At a school with such a pristine history of academic excellence like Clemson where all of its athletes are held to the highest standards, they couldn’t possibly keep a player who under performs in the class room.
Add me to the list F-Tommy Bowden list.
7:43 pm on March 13th, 2008
First you guys need to get the facts. Second, he was offered a job as a Graduate Assistant and financial aid if he decided to stay at Clemson.
How can he be a GA if he is not a Graduate? Simple he graduates in the Summer.
Beyond that Ray Ray has been at best a some time performer and not a very good one at that.
Oh yeah, and while we are at it, maybe you can explain why Clemson went to the mat with the NCAA so they could get an exemption for boosters and coaches to give his brother a ride to and from school.
Oh yeah, what about that well over $250,000 that the Clemson family ponied up for Ray Ray and his brother, that isn’t paying for anything I suppose.
And let’s not forget that Ray Ray had issues with making team commitments. Doesn’t matter the reason, he failed in his responsibilities. Yet Clemson stood by him,
Coach Bowden made a decision about the Team, that’s his job. He is not a social worker. Coach Bowden is a class act, he won’t speak out about this, and if Ray Ray has any sense, neither will he. He has nothing to complain about.
Wake up people Sports Illustrated is always pushing this lefty tear jerker bull-crap. Get the facts.