So Sorry

If you're breathing, you've heard about Brandon Davies in the last few days.
If you're holding your breath, this is what happened: Davies was kicked off the BYU basketball team because of an Honour Code violation and will no longer be playing in the tournament and could possibly be expelled from the University.
And needless to say, people have been in a bit of an uproar about it. The announcement was made yesterday and I've heard about it in each class, between each class and on ESPN*.

Granted, I'm not a BYU fan, but I don't hate them either. I'm a little sad and it's not because BYU chances of winning the National #1 title have gone down a ton; I think the mark of a truly great team is being able to pull it together after unexpected problems arise and I think BYU has that potential. They're an amazing team, they deserved their win against State last weekend and I think they have the skill and the chemistry to work together and take this. I hope they do, I really do.

Here's why I'm sad: Brandon Davies will forever have a tarnished reputation. I'm not trying to pardon him for what happened- he knew full well when he signed the Honour Code what was expected of him if he played at BYU and it is his fault that he disobeyed those expectations. But this does not make him a bad person.

We're all human. We all make mistakes. Very few of us enjoy the spotlight so when we do falter, our mistakes aren't broadcasted to the world. However, when you step into the lime light and trip, everyone sees and everyone knows. What normally is a private affair taken care of with very few people is publicized, gossiped, and criticized by many.
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Christians, I don't think it's our job to assume what happened and point fingers. We don't have the right to know what happened nor judge what we think happened; that's not our place. "He that is without sin amoung you, let him first cast a stone" (John 8:7). I'm not without sin, I sin daily- I can't be angry with Davies for something that I'm just as guilty of. I can be upset at the outcome, but I can't blame him because he's human just like me.

Good luck Davies. I hope things turn for the best, I really do.


* ESPN was really good about this, I was pleasantly surprised. Instead of ragging on BYU for the strict Honour Code, they supported BYU, calling it 'refreshing' that students are held accountable to good and clean living. They commended the school for their choice of action and that, though unfortunate, they admired BYU for holding to their expectations and encouraging students to be honest, good people.

This is the discussion: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6174077