C’mon U-Dub…do something here in regards to Seferian-Jenkins and Williams

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One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life is the biggest mistake is not trying and failing, but doing nothing at all. The heavy breathers who run the University of Washington football program as of this writing are making the “biggest mistake” in regards to potential suspensions for players Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Kasen Williams.

First a little background here…Seferian-Jenkins and Williams both have run into trouble with the law this offseason mixing alcohol and operating a motor vehicle. Seferian-Jenkins back in March was cited for DUI after a one-car crash and pleaded guilty and served a day in jail. Williams was cited for being under the influence operating a motor vehicle under age 21 (he was below the .08 limit however).

Generally, schools and pro sports teams don’t get involved until after the legal system had run it’s course. That’s done and over with. But there are two things in play here – one, both Seferian-Jenkins and Williams are two of Washington’s top offensive threats and two, the opening game this season is the opening of newly-remodeled Husky Stadium against a very good Boise State team. But, the longer the school waits to do anything fuels the speculation that it is trying to figure out how to have them available for the first game but at the same time punish the players properly (Washington takes on Idaho State in their second game…a significantly weaker opponent than Boise State). Per the school the players have been punished somewhat and have complied with the terms of those punishments but those terms haven’t been revealed.

I am a Husky fan…been since I was about six and remember watching Warren Moon lead the Huskies over the Wolverines in the Rose Bowl in the late 70s. I have stayed true to my Husky roots even though I live in an area where the Dawgs rank #4 (maybe even #5 behind that team they open with, Boise State) amongst the major colleges in the Pacific Northwest.  And I know just how good Seferian-Jenkins and Williams are and I know those two give Washington a much better chance of winning its season opener.

But this is serious business…much more than a football game regardless of the opponent. Countless lives have been lost and been altered because people have operated motor vehicles under the influence. And there needs to be a message sent that operating a motor vehicle under the influence will not be tolerated by Washington athletes. My vote is to suspend Seferian-Jenkins for two games and Williams for one, outcome on the field be damned.

There’s another phrase I’ve learned in life too – when you try to please everyone, you please no one. And from where I sit in the cheap seats those in power at U-Dub are doing exactly that.

 

UPDATE – It was announced on Thursday, August 29 that Seferian-Jenkins is suspended for the Boise State game…the suspension was originally for two games but he fulfilled what he needed to do to get the suspension reduced. No word yet on Kasen Williams.