KC Sports & Fitness John Landsberg February 2008 Standards for sports journalism have changed dramatically over the years. Most of those changes have not been for the better. This came to mind recently when it was announced that former Oklahoma State star quarterback Bobby Reid was basically forced to transfer to another college to complete his collegiate career. If you recall, Reid was a bonafide high school star in Houston. He led his team to an unbeaten season and the Texas 5A Division 1 title. He was considered one of the best scholastic quarterbacks in the entire nation and selected Oklahoma State, where he continued to star. KU fans won�t soon forget that as a sophomore Reid threw for 411 yards and five touchdowns (and ran for another for good measure) as the Cowboys beat Kansas 42-32.He played every game that season and led OSU to a victory over Alabama in the Independence Bowl. Having been the starter since midway of his freshman year, Reid had high hopes for his junior season.However, when he left the second game against Florida Atlantic with an injury, it opened the door for Zac Robinson, who kept the job for the team�s final 11 games. However, when Reid was out injured that was when Oklahoman sportswriter Jenni Carlson (formerly of the Kansas City Star) penned a mean-spirited column that basically said Reid was a momma�s boy (she fed him chicken), couldn�t handle pressure well and even faked the severity of his injuries.She went so far to note his injury against Florida Atlantic �appeared minor.� Talk about crossing a line in reporting� After Carlson�s column appeared OSU coach Mike Gundy went ballistic in a news conference. His rant was aimed firmly---and correctly---at Carlson and has become a YouTube classic. Last month Reid, who at one time seemed to be destined for a pro football career, announced he will transfer to winless Texas Southern (0-11 this year) for his final season.His hopes for a pro career are remote. Years ago sportswriters could tee off on college coaches all they wanted.The coaches were paid to coach and were also expected to take the abuse.If a quarterback fumbled five times in a game the coach took the heat. But now many college players�particularly high-profile ones--- are being treated like professional players.Some of them are as young as 18-years-old. They do not deserve to be ridiculed.Once the game ends they have to go back to campus, take classes and just be college kids.They aren�t being paid to play. It reminded me of a game a few years ago where the play-by-play announcer was noting that if Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn could drive his team in for the winning touchdown it could mean the difference between a BCS Bowl game or not for the school. �This could be a $10 million drive for the school,� he noted.No college player anywhere deserves that kind of pressure on his shoulders. Earlier this year in a report of a local high school game another old sports writing rule fell by the wayside.The newspaper highlighted the kid by name who fumbled the ball and cost his team the game. Can you imagine how bad the kid felt when it happened?How do you think he felt the next day when his classmates, friends and neighbors all read about it in the paper and even on the Internet? In the old days of sports writing we simply would have said something like �A fumble by a Rockhurst running back with 10 seconds was recovered by Blue Springs and helped seal the victory.�We never found the need to put some 15-year-old kid up for ridicule. The criticism today of some old-time sports writers was that we sometimes glossed over details if we felt that they didn�t really add to the story or would put some kid up for ridicule.Yes, we were often guilty of erring on the side of compassion. This might be a good time for the entire sports writing community to take a look back at those good old days. We need to realize that high school and college players are just young, impressionable kids.Most will never be paid to play. Cut them a break.
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