Byrd demoted
All-American defensive tackle Terrill Byrd returned to practice today following a one-week suspension after he was charged with marijuana possession, but he’s now a member of the second team.
“He’s got to earn his way back,” Brian Kelly said. “Is he a good football player? Sure. But he’s got to do all the right things all the time and he’s got to earn his position back.
“He was an All-American last year. He hasn’t gotten off to a good start in 2008. 2007 was a good year for him…The message has been consistent. If you don’t make good decisions off the field, that’s going to affect what happens on the field and it’s affected it. He’s going to have to work hard to earn the trust of the coaches and the players who are part of this program.”
Byrd said he’s prepared to do exactly that.
“I’m not mad at the decision,” Byrd said. “If that’s what he had to do that’s what he had to do. I’m just glad to be back out here and get another chance. I’m just taking it in stride right now. I’m still kind of shocked that it happened. I’ve just got to learn from my mistakes.”
Byrd said he was not smoking marijuana, nor did he have any in his possession or in his room. He said when he returned to his dorm room on March 5 he found several friends inside smoking. He asked them to leave but before they did, police showed up and cited him.
He missed his first court date, which led to a warrant being issued for his arrest because, he said, he misplaced the ticket and didn’t know when the court date was. When he found the ticket, he paid his $65 fine aned $90 in costs.
“I just wanted to get it over with,” he said. “I didn’t really want to go back to court and deal with that. They said if I just paid the ticket it would be done with and that’s what I wanted to do. I just wanted to get it behind me.
“I’m sorry I let my team down. I’m going to bounce back. I didn’t think I was going to come down this road. My parents always told me live and learn.”
Byrd is also suspended for UC's season opener on Aug. 28 vs. Eastern Kentucky. He was suspended for last year's season opener for missing class.
posted by bill koch at 2:06 PM
10 Comments:
at 2:45 PM 
MsUC said...
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frither said...
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MsUC said...
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MsUC said...
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ewad said...
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MsUC said...
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Post a Comment*BK seems to say and do all the right things. Unfortunately, one more good year with UC and then the Bengals will come calling on BK to replace Marvin Lewis, who knows nothing about how poor discipline ruins a team's chemistry. BK...it was nice while we had you but the Bengals need you too.
This "demotion" is one thing to me: great PR for the media.
Byrd is suspended for a game, which he should be. But does anybody actually believe that there is a chance in hell that BK's All-American is not going to be with the first-team when it matters? If BK believes he'll be back with the first team in due time, then why do this in the first place?
The issue here wasn't about Byrd's lack of play or hustle on the field. He always "brings it." Barring some kind of upset, he'll continue to do so, which will force BK to finally "promote" Byrd back to the first team. Which, in the end, will be a complete waste of a process. I understand the "earning things back" part. But he didn't lose his spot on the field...he did it off the field...and as far as I am concerned, he's paid the price from both a legal standpoint, and on the field as well with the one game suspension.
My question is, why can't a coach in this situation just let the situation play out? Why create this false, dramatic moment?(Oh no, All-American may not start again...gasp!)
It sends a message to everyone when you discipline your All- American for "off field" violations. That's why a coach doesn't let this kind of thing "play out." It's a message of accountability. If you can't be held accountable for your actions on the field, you won't be playing, and if the sames is true off the field (whether you're an All-American or not), you're in the same boat!
leegero, your answer is simple. Look at the Bengals as the result of a lack of discipline. Nuff said.
With all due respect, I think the Bengals example is a bad example. You're talking about college kids versus spoiled athletes.
And personally, I don't think demoting an All American to 2nd team does anything, because the reality is that BK would never keep Byrd there unless Byrd really digressed. There's no prior history of Byrd having bad behavior off of the field before this incident, and he certainly has earned his stripes on the field.
So my point was, how seriously can you take the demotion? Again, the "message" was sent with the one game suspension and what Byrd had to go through legally. The demotion, in my opinion, does more good in the PR department than it does anywhere else.
And Byrd's teammates know, when push comes to shove, BK is not keeping his All American on the second team.
leegero....have you played competitive team sports, College or Pro?
I guarantee you that Byrd expects to win back his starting position. I also guarantee you that he hates practicing on the second team. He hates missing the first game. He hates the possibility that he screwed up the opporutnity to be 1st team all-america.
So yes, the point is discipline. And yes Byrd will think twice about putting himself in a compromising situation again before the end of his senior football season.
It is more of a pride thing than anything else.
If you are a competitor you hate to be on the second team even if it is really only symbolic.
MsUC...This isn't about me. Just giving my opinion. Not saying I am absolutely, 100% correct.
But yes, I played high school football in Cincy for four years. While attending UC, I worked at Channel 5's sports department and was also a sports writer for UC's school paper, The News Record, from around 1990-1994. I covered football and basketball, as well as other sports. Matter of fact, Bill was one of the writers I used to observe when I would skip class to attend Huggs' weekly media luncheons at the Shoe during hoops season. Then I left UC to go work at ESPN.
I hope that qualifies me to be able to state my opinion in the future. If you publish your email, maybe I can send you a resume?
Thanks!
leegero...thanks for the resume. It appears you have the qualifications to answer your own uncertainty.
Interview and ask Byrd if he views his demotion as strictly symbolic. As Ewad correctly succinctly infers, ask Byrd if his pride is hurt working with the second string. Ask Byrd if he plans to work even harder to quickly regain his starting status before Fall practice. Ask Byrd if he feels there is a "chip on his shoulder" to reassert his dominance as an on-field team leader.
I know the answers to the questions but feel free to ask Byrd if you still believe Byrd's demotion is strictly symbolic. In life and yes sports, discipline is best instilled with reinforcing doses of small measure. And this lesson holds true throughout a lifetime, including the careers of Bearcats and Bengals.
But you are free to disagree, with or without your pedigree.
msuc...I get it. Readers of the blog get it. The people running the blog get it. You strongly disagree with me. No need to repeat it again.
It would be too easy for me to answer back by saying, "If I were still writing, I'd ask him those questions for sure." Bottom line is, who cares? No one reading cares. I stated my opinions twice, you disagreed and even added in some shots at me...great, we get it. Move on.
I am. Thanks:)
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