Not the best move if you're embattled Clemson coach Tommy Bowden.McElrathbey was last seen in the headlines caring for his younger brother while their mother battled drug problems. Outpourings of support and cash came from Clemson fans before the NCAA heartlessly tried to put the kibosh on the compassion train. The NCAA caved, Ray Ray got some help and thus a good story was made.
And then his coach cut him:
Ray Ray McElrathbey is done with football at Clemson, and a teammate said it's because the Tigers' coaching staff decided not to renew his scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year.Clemson announced Saturday that McElrathbey, a reserve tailback who gained national fame for taking custody of his younger brother, is no longer with the team. Team spokesman Tim Bourret said McElrathbey, who has two years of football eligibility remaining, will graduate in August and plans to attend graduate school or transfer and play elsewhere.
James Davis, a senior tailback for the Tigers, said McElrathbey told him he didn't have a choice.
That's cold. Sad to say, it was probably a good football move. McElrathbey blew out his knee last year, and was moved from the competitive defensive backfield to a loaded tailback position. That move screams "kid can't play".
If that's the case, I'm sure his coaches were looking to find any way to free up his scholarship. Regardless, this is horrible public relations in parting ways with such a well-known and publicly admired player who had plenty of eligibility.
(H/T: Get The Picture)Update: See comment #1 below for clarification from Clemson. McElrathbey had the option of keeping his scholarship but faced a loaded depth chart and encouragement from his coaches to seek opportunities elsewhere if he plans on playing professional football.
Previously at FanHouse
The Year's Most Covered and Least Significant Injury
Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey to Appear on Oprah Winfrey Show
Almost $50,000 Raised in Clemson's McElrathbey Trust
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. AOL needs to get the facts straight before any headlines and stories are run. Ray Ray has been treated with compassion and respect during his stay at Clemson. He has been treated much better than most athletes at other schools would have been treated under the same circumstances.
Posted at 12:52PM on Mar 10th 2008 by Charles Elfert
2. Here's a response from TDP to a letter written voicing concerns over the situation (via Tigernet):
While James Davis was not misquoted by the writer in the Charleston story, James did not portray an accurate picture of our scholarship commitment to Ray Ray from a financial standpoint. When the coaches met with Ray Ray, it was made clear to him that if he decided to remain at Clemson, his scholarship would be provided. That includes a commitment from me that we would give him a graduate assistant position within the Clemson Athletic Department after he graduated. Tim Bourret sent out a statement to this effect on Sunday. Perhaps that didn't make the Charleston paper.
From a football standpoint, coaches met with Ray Ray and made it clear to him that he had four talented running backs ahead of him this fall. We have two of the top running backs in our program's history currently on the roster and two of the Top 10 running back signees in the nation are coming to Clemson this fall. If his future goals involves playing professional football, he needs to get on the field. If he is to get on the field, he needs to transfer to another program.
But, he has the option to stay here and have his schooling paid for through the next two years.
Terry Don Phillips
108 Jervey Athletic Center
656-1935
Posted at 12:58PM on Mar 10th 2008 by Jim F.
3. Wow....schools will keep a kid who's a so called "star" player and a TROUBLE MAKER-i.e. Lawrence Phillips. Here's a kid who's doing something good, and the football team has the audacity to basically cut him. I didn't think 1-player made a difference in a TEAM sport? Nice move Clemson.
Posted at 5:36PM on Mar 10th 2008 by Bob
4. 1. What exactly makes Tommy Bowden "embattled"? He just got a multiple year contract extension.
2. How has Ray Ray been treated badly? He is graduating from college in three years - on a full ride. He has been promised a graduate assistantship, if he wants it. Coaches and their wives look after his younger brother when he can't. The university promoted and organized a fund to help take care of his younger brother. He was given time off from his sport to look after his personal needs.
I wish I had that kind of deal when I was in college.
Posted at 6:58PM on Mar 10th 2008 by Jason Greer
5. The way you've twisted the facts to make Ray Ray look mistreated, I'd guess you were looking for a way to make Tommy Bowden look bad, Mr. Grummell. Congratulations. You've done a good job of making yourself look bad instead. Lies don't make good journalism.
Posted at 9:25PM on Mar 10th 2008 by will mack
6. Only Clemson fans can try and make this look like a good thing.
Posted at 7:33AM on Mar 11th 2008 by carolina_mind
7. If this were a white student this would be a non Story.Another case where someone goes out of their way to help someone, and ends up with egg on their face. It is unfortunate that he has to take care of his brother, but I can assure you this is not an isolated case. He probably should try and find a job like the rest of us, and not worry about football. It seems he is not NFL material anyway. I wish him luck. He seems like a good enough kid.
Posted at 7:42AM on Mar 11th 2008 by proudamerican
8. BRIAN GRUMMEL: What a sad job of reporting you have done for this story. It only goes to PROVE how the media continues to distort and manipulate facts....and apparently face no consequences. Your credibility is greatly diminished, as well as that of your employers.
Posted at 8:32AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Mike
9. What a sorry excuse for a sports story!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted at 9:28AM on Mar 11th 2008 by danielf1935
10. well heck , where is Ms Oprah ... let her adopt him with the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Posted at 9:30AM on Mar 11th 2008 by nto
11. I'm throwing the B.S. flag on AOL for this story...nice attempt at "smear" journalism Mr. Grumell. Ray Ray has been well taken care of by the Clemson family. Yes, he blew his knee out last year and is still recovering...but he has also struggled with making his grades while balancing the other responsibilities of taking care of his little brother (their mother is incapable of doing so because of drug addiction). The university has set up an NCAA approved fund to assist Ray Ray's little brother - given his circumstances. Additionally, Ray Ray has been offered a graduate assistant position - guaranteed by the Athletic Director - in addition to having his schooling paid for the next two years. He does have the option to transfer - if he chooses to. You have written this smear job article as if Clemson has abandoned Ray, and that's totally and completely untrue. Tommy Bowden is "embattled" in what way? He just signed a new contract! How about checking the facts before running a smear story like this? Get back to reporting on Paris Hilton or something you can handle.
Posted at 10:37AM on Mar 11th 2008 by StewzTigerz
12. After reading the explanations in the first two posts one can understand the mechanics of such a decision. due to the past injury, he would have to change positions. Being #5 on a depth chart is not a good place to be if you are trying to showcase your talents to the NFL scouts. He was offered his scholarship and a graduate assisstant position. he most likely knows deep down he could not compete for a place on the team now due to the effects of his injury. Sad to lose a dream of playing pro football. At least he will graduate. He has a diploma!!!
Posted at 10:54AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Mechanicbill
13. It seems that this young man has been given a dose of the reality of what college football has become,pro sports in diguise.Tommy Bowden is a good man who at times makes puzzling decisions.I guess there's no more room for "Rudys" in college sports any longer.This is a case of teaching the kids that practicing responsible behavior bears no fruit,its a cruel world,even if your coach is a self-proclaimed Christian man.This fine young man deserves a Clemson uniform more than anyone.On second thought,he deserves better.The Clemson family should make sure that Ray Ray is on the Clemson football team.Very sad indeed.
Posted at 10:56AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Mike Barber
14. How dumb can you be? Ray Ray has blown out his knee and the only position he can play has four or five better players ahead of ray Ray. The Coach told Ray Ray that if Ray Ray wanted to play in the NFL he needed to be playing on Saturdays and not sitting on the bench because of Clemson having better players at the position. Clemson offered to continue his scholarship for the next two years but will they benefit Ray Ray regarding the NFL? Not according to the coach's depth chart at tailback. Ray Ray has been on scholarship and will graduate in August. If Ray Ray cannot play pro ball he can enter the work force with a degree paid for by a full athletic scholarship at Clemson. The whole situation is win/win for Ray Ray. He can go to another program where he can play the next two years and try to make it in the NFL or he can get a job with a college degree from Clemson. There is no way the coaches have done anything but give Ray Ray some very sound advice that the reporter wanted to sensationalize. Ray Ray has all of his options open to him and does not have to leave Clemson, but staying at Clemson means Ray Ray will not see much playing time.
Posted at 10:58AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Henry C. Hannah
15. "You've done a good job of making yourself look bad instead. Lies don't make good journalism."
Editorials - such as Internet blogs - are opinions, NOT journalism. Whereas I agree with the premise of the above quoted statement, anybody who thinks an editorial is "journalism" - good or bad - is part of the problem.
Posted at 11:01AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Joe
16. NCAA sports is all about the money, not the young men and women who play.
The mob is pleased.
Posted at 11:04AM on Mar 11th 2008 by JohnQ
17. Maybe if they jkeep eliminating players and buy new ones they might have a chance to beat Va Tech
Posted at 11:05AM on Mar 11th 2008 by arliss
18. Mr. Grummell; you are fired.
Posted at 11:35AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Guy Woodham
19. They failed to mention the cheerleading squad tutors Ray Ray in their dorm. They failed to mention Ray Ray's family has carte blanche' in the campus canteen. Ray Ray got a half mill in donations & the local banks gave him a 12% unpenalized CD rate to help with family expenses. They didn't mention the new edition 'vette Ray Ray drives with tigertail exhausts. How could these little perks be overlookded in helping the poor guy out? It's Nazi journalism I tell you,, shocking propoganda backed by Gamecock kamikazes!
Posted at 11:55AM on Mar 11th 2008 by Bobby
20. Politics & power. It seems to me the guy was treated very ethically in light of those two views. The coaching staff acted "humanely" by giving him an honest assessment of his chances with the program & his future. Lesser programs would have sent him packing & opened up the roster to get that extra half step if the guy has a blown out knee. Corruption has many shades of "lipstick", this isn't about corruption in my opinion, it's fundamental decision making...
Posted at 12:13PM on Mar 11th 2008 by Bobby