Dwight Smith Topic

[Captain Kangaroo]

FYI - I killed the Dwight thread. The "headline" was too harsh (my bad), and since the football board is slow, I didn't want it hanging around for a few weeks.Does Dwight hate UA?Is the guy proud of his alma mater?Is there a limit to the guys' brushes with the law that would finally break your back?I'll leave it up to you to decide.

[ZachTheZip]

It was probably best to close that topic.As to the discussion itself, there's the saying that "There's no such thing as bad publicity". The more his name is associated with UA, the more people hear about UA. So what if he's a thug? Do you think that OSU never benefitted from all the publicity from the illegal crap their players and coaches pull? It got their name out there further, and across the country.I don't hate know if he hates UA, but that seems to be the case with a majority of the students and alumni. They go there because they couldn't go anywhere else, and they resent that. It should be different with athletes who have multiple offers because they always have the choice to go somewhere else for the same price (free). Our athletes root against our team when they play OSU, and they should have their scholarships revoked for it. I'm sure some of the players on the football team had mixed feelings when they played in Colombus earlier this year because they wanted to see OSU go undefeated to make it into the national title game, and a loss to Akron would instantly ruin their season. That needs to change. Dwight is most likely not proud of Akron. Remember what it was like when he was here? There were no state-of-the-art sports facilities, no MAC championships, no bowl games, no accomplishments. There was nothing for him to hang his hat on at Akron. It's changed quite a bit, but I have no idea if he has seen it firsthand.

[GoZips88]

A full ride in the classroom and an opportunity to prove yourself on a football field (regardless of how crappy) should warrant at worst a simple tip of your hat ("Dwight Smith, The University of Akron") when the opportunity arises. The U of A may not have been a first, second or even tenth choice for some of these guys but it was one of the pieces that fell into place to allow some of these guys to leave school debt-free, a little more educated, and paychecks in the real world that many of us will never see in our lifetimes. Disappointing at times to see alumni seemingly turn their noses up at the U of A instead of showing some simple gratitude by mentioning the name of the school that helped them advance in Life. Oh well ...

[ZippyRulz]

I suspect part of it may also be that there's some bragging and razzing amongst NFL players about the schools they attended and DS may have a little inferiority complex in that regard which I could understand if he has to put up with some crap from the other players. But he still should have some class and not disrespect the school that gave him a scholarship and an opportunity to be where he is today.

[gozips19]

First off let me state that I to was bummed that Dwight didn't say Akron. With that being said this is crazy talk. Normally I don't like to talk about stuff like this but as someone who knew Dwight fairly well I’ll say that he loved Akron. First off he's a D town kid and bleeds Detroit. Second he's a Zip. Call it a city thing but there's a pride with what city you came from and I can respect that. As far as the there's nothing fond to remember point......even if you don't play sports you still make friendships’ that will last the test of time. You will talk about stuff that happened back in the day. That's all part of the college experience and I know he lived it up while a student at Akron. Please, cut the man some slack. This is the first time during his entire career I can remember him saying his high school. I know for a fact that when he was in the super bowl he said Akron and after his pick six happened a university commercial played. One of the greatest days not only for a friend, but as an alum

[Valpo Zip]

I'm sure some of the players on the football team had mixed feelings when they played in Colombus earlier this year because they wanted to see OSU go undefeated to make it into the national title game, and a loss to Akron would instantly ruin their season. That needs to change.

What!!! :blink: You are saying that you are sure that some of our players did not want to win! If you are sure of that than something should be done... that is a serious problem. Same with the bball players cheering for OSU. Mack should take some serious action here. I remember 2 years ago, i was a student in the college of engineering, the ABJ was making a story about one of the projects in the college (challenge X), one of the students they talked to (who also appeared in a picture) was sporting an OSU shirt. The dean of the college was very firm about that and made it heard that when you are associated with anything representing the University, you are not allowed to wear the gear of other schools.

Dwight is most likely not proud of Akron. Remember what it was like when he was here? There were no state-of-the-art sports facilities, no MAC championships, no bowl games, no accomplishments. There was nothing for him to hang his hat on at Akron. It's changed quite a bit, but I have no idea if he has seen it firsthand.

That's not the point, i don't care if Akron was a dumpster or what kind of facilities did we have. The guy decided to come to Akron and play here. end of the story.

[Big Zip]

As an alum of Akron I can tell you it does feel like I was slighted by a person I've pointed to as an athletic success story to come out of Akron when he named his high school.I don't know that slack is warranted as suggested above. As the Cap'n suggested you just don't see that type of behavior out of most NFL players. I say most because some guys think there cool and have done this before. If he is simply being a follower to be cool like the other guys who have done it before I kind of feel sorry for him. If he was the first to do it -- it might have a different ring. Unfortunately this was a copy cat act that wreaked of an inferiority complex in my mind -- oh those guys are doing it I should do it too. It will make me look cool. He seems to be a in a cycle of stupid mistakes and this was just another. It makes you wonder if he's been hit in the head a few too many times. Stupid mistakes in mind -- I often wonder about athletes, actors etc. -- Do they sit around and think up ways they can fuck this up. Do they actually go hmmm I've got millions in the bank, I play a game for a living, nice house, able to take care of my brothers -- how can I fuck this up -- pull a gun on somone in public, smoke weed in my car, have sex in a public place and get caught -- where does it stop for this guy? Maybe there is no such thing as bad publicity though -- lord knows nobody mentions Josh Cribbs selling weed and gets suspended for a year at Can't anymore.All in all -- I've never seen Jason Taylor do the same thing and I've seen him talk about Akron plenty of times on TV, yet some people will point to him not referencing Akron on his Cribbs show MTV. So who knows what the right answer is for any of this.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Unfortunately, I need to lock the topic again. Thanks to all of you who offered some good discussion on the topic.