Adult failure radiates from Jay Harris decision

ESPN ranked Philadelphia area high school senior Jay Harris as the #2 wide receiver in the state of Pennsylvania and the #17 senior in the state overall. As you might expect, Harris received several scholarship offers from Division I programs such as Penn State, Old Dominion Temple and Michigan State.

Harris signed a letter of intent in February to attend Michigan State. Awesome! Kid works hard and realizes his dream of playing Division I football. If he continues to improve while playing in a conference like the Big Ten, professional opportunities may await him in the future. 

Sounds like a good story so far, right? No...not so much. Jay Harris has given up his scholarship at Michigan State to become a rapper. Look, I like rap and respect rappers. This is not about rap although some will undoubtedly chuckle and/or make negative comments about the world's most popular music genre.

This is about taking opportunities off the table and going full-bore into one that may be over before you can blink. Harris could have earned a degree, pursued a professional athletic career and honed his rap skills. He didn't have to give it all up. College campuses are where many contemporary rappers develop.

Harris could have easily pursued rap by performing at college parties and other campus events. Rick Rubin started Def Jam Records in his...wait for it...dorm! Ludacris graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgia State University. Chuck D and Flava Flav formed the legendary group Public Enemy while students at Aldephi University where they both graduated.

Yes, Flava Flav has a college degree. So, you have no more excuses. 

Harris' decision speaks to a lack of guidance in his life. As much as I write about parents and coaches being too involved, someone should have stepped in to redirect this young man. There are some mistakes we can't let kids make. The opportunity he was afforded and is now giving up should not have been taken so lightly.

We all know most kids will not be offered a Division I scholarship. Lottery odds are often better. Harris is one of those fortunate kids whose sports skill could be life-changing. His parents and coaches should have impressed that upon him more.

Parents and coaches must encourage kids to maximize every opportunity. It's impossible to lock an open door. Let's make sure our kids open every one they can. Jay Harris' stage name is Jay Datbull. We'll see if he becomes the next Pitbull or his music becomes just plain bull.

Sportsmanship on Tour(s)

South St. Louis County is home to several great parishes and St. Martin of Tours adds to the area's stellar reputation. St. Martin's 5th graders hosted Immaculate Conception in a cold, but compelling baseball matchup on Friday night.

With a game time temperature of 60 degrees and a howling wind, the weather favored the gridiron more than the diamond. The Brigade gathered a few jackets and we went to work. Both teams played hard and played well. However, St. Martin's kids encouraged one another and showed tremendous team spirit.

The Brigade couldn't decide on one standout so we picked them all. We're suckers for good sportsmanship. 

The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of Sports Commission volunteers who attend youth sporting events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. Athletes, coaches, parents, fans and officials who exhibit good sportsmanship are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business. For more on the Brigade, including scheduling and volunteering information, please visit sportsmanship.org or call 314-345-5130.

The Book of Ezra

The Sportsmanship Brigade made its way to Barnhart, Mo. on Wednesday evening for a 6th grade baseball matchup between St. Joseph - Imperial and St. Francis of Assisi. A soggy turf and the threat of more rain didn't put a damper on these boys' spirits. They played with great intensity and had fun in the process. Particularly, St. Joseph's second baseman displayed leadership beyond his years.

Ezra is his name and he could very well write a book on sportsmanship and respect. He encouraged every pitcher who took the mound and made sure his team remained focused until the last out. Ezra's selection by the Brigade seemed as natural as him patting a teammate on the back.

Ezra and the St. Joe - Imperial team

The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of Sports Commission volunteers who visit youth sporting events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. Athletes, coaches, officials and fans who exhibit good sportsmanship are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card from a local business. To volunteer as a Brigade member or to request a visit from the Brigade, please visit sportsmanship.org or call 314-345-5130.

Referee death reveals societal failure

"Stay in a child's place!" This command was directed at me many times as a youngster. My mom used to let me know that I was crossing a line and to take a step back. I didn't like hearing it because it made me feel as if my place as a child was less than that of an adult.

I was wrong. My mom was protecting me. She planted the seeds of the mantra I now use in my professional life - Know. Your. Role. As a whole, our kids do not know their roles. They call us by our first names and answer "What!" when called. Many have little respect for their parents and almost none for other adults.

We have all heard about a team taking on the personality of its coach. Kids take on the personalities of their parents as well. Disrespectful parents often produce disrespectful children. The death of youth soccer referee Richard Portillo as the result of being punched by a 17-year-old player reveals a complete societal failure in the area of respect.

I have written extensively about referee assaults. Some states even have "referee assault" on the books as a felony. Florida will give you up to five years in prison for it. Still, referees are treated poorly - as if they have some stake in athletic contests beyond calling them fairly.

You can't watch a game of any kind on any level without someone complaining about the officiating. Referees are called names, cursed at, assaulted and now they're getting killed. The young man accused of killing Portillo did not know his role. He's a player. It's not his job to challenge the official. As a kid, it's certainly not his place to raise his hand to an adult.

Richard Portillo was a father himself and his family will miss him. Watch the NBC Latino story below about what his daughter had to say about the incident (email subscribers click here).



We must show greater respect for referees and teach our children to respect adults in general. How we raise and coach our kids will determine which team they will be on. Remember, prison uniforms have bright colors and numbers on them too.