Why? That's the word that is being asked throughout the state of Nebraska today as reports are leaking out that Maurice Purify, NU's best receiver, was arrested last night in Lincoln. The charges are hardly ones that can be shrugged off as no big deal: Two counts of assault, with resisting arrest tacked onto it, are serious allegations and will no doubt be treated as such by Callahan and the coaching staff. I'm sure we'll find out more about this disturbance as time passes, but for now the only thing that Husker fans want to know is why would a talented young man, one who by all accounts is extremely friendly and polite, do something like this?
Why jeopardize not only your spot on the Husker football team, but millions of dollars in potential pro football income? Especially over something as petty as a bouncer not letting your friend into a bar the previous week! It'd be one thing if Purify had only hit the guy, or if he had gotten in a bar fight trying to stick up for his buddies, but judging by the reports thus far, Mo instigated the fight, and then took it to another level when he decided to pull an Ike Turner and hit a female. Never under any circumstances should a man ever hit a woman, but to do it in Lincoln, where the ghost of Lawrence Phillips' transgressions still haunts the Husker image, only exacerbated the problem.
If this had happened in New York, or LA, or any other giant metro area with multiple sports teams and pro events, this wouldn't even be that big of a deal. But being in a fishbowl is something that comes with the territory of being a Husker football player, so this is going to be front-page news for every paper in the state. Like it or not, these guys have to be aware that every transgression, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential, is going to be magnified 10-fold. What would be standard college bar-type stuff (two guys fighting) is completely different when one of the participants is a star player on the state's favorite team. Understand that in no way, shape, or form am I condoning Purify's actions. To assault two people is a serious crime, and what will be debated in the coming weeks (and months?) is what the punishment should be for the offense.
Some argue that striking a female is more than ample reason for his expulsion from the team. I am not one of those people. While I am angry and disappointed that he would disgrace himself, his team, and to an extent an entire state, I do not believe taking away the most important thing in his life (football) for a lapse in judgement would be the right thing to do. Although Callahan has a reputation for not putting up with off-the-field issues, compassion and forgiveness would go a long way when dealing with Purify's situation. And I'm not saying that because he is a key player in our pursuit of a national title, I'd say the same thing for the 4th string punter. To ostracize Purify from the team would be the worst thing that Callahan could do. Thus far, Callahan is doing the right thing and taking a wait-and-see approach. First the legal system has to decide what it's punishment will be, and BC will make his decision after all the facts have been presented (something that is crucial, because at this point it is a lot of speculation about what exactly happened, and jumping to conclusions is the last thing that everyone should do).
My suggestion? A four-game suspension, apologies to the victims, and some community service (depending on what the legal system gives him first). By sitting him for the non-conference slate, including the pivotal USC game, it shows the message that we are not a win-at-all-costs program and that the staff takes player conduct seriously. At the same time, it teaches Purify a lesson about his actions and forces him to re-evaluate just how much of a privilege it is to play for and attend the University of Nebraska.
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