Football above the law?
 

As bad as these kids actions may have been, the charge they were convicted of was a misdemeanor. You really think that students need to be deprived of extracurricular activities (like band, football, math club, etc) if they commit a misdemeanor away from school?

I think the person who should be making that decision (i.e. the judge) is in a much better position to weigh the plusses and minuses against the gravity of the particular offense than any of us here would be.

Oft times, the only thing a kid is interested in is sports. That may be the only reason to stay in school. It's not the best reason, but it is a start with these kids and under the guidance of a coach (who may be the only steady figure in the kid's life) the kid might have a chance to get straightened around.

No. It's a small price to pay after doing an action that led to someone breaking his neck, collarbone, and arm. Heck...I didn't say execute the kid!

I agree. But it was the judge himself who said he shouldn't be doing this. The beautiful thing about America is the right to express an opinion.

The US Constitution list 'misdemeanors' as one crime by which a President may be impeached. Allowing these two young morons to play HS football this fall is ridiculous.

"Howard's father, C.J., said he punished his son by taking away his driver's license, keeping him at home and preventing him from playing sports."

Daddy Howard has more sense than that judge.

Bob

This judge needs to get some b@77$.

I'm with McCrowder here. It's easy to blame the judge for the sentence but keep in mind, it was the DA who accepted the plea for the misdemeanor charges. Maybe the DA should be taking the heat.

The judge postponed their jail time until after the football season was over. The Howard boys father is punising him by having him not play sports, does that mean the judge can sentence him now?

Safty
 

Safty fisrt that would help.

...and the story continues to grow. Just as we're divided on this, it's no surprise the town is too.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/08/19/de....ap/index.html