Williams: Right thing for Leach would have been to do humanitarian thing

Question: Heaven forbid, but should a Texas Tech player ever be paralyzed in the course of play, would Tech coach Mike Leach acknowledge it?

498258287

Williams

It looks as if senior cornerback Nathan Stone’s career is over, the result of a spinal injury he suffered in Saturday’s game against New Mexico, and Leach doesn’t acknowledge that. Here’s what he said Wednesday about Stone:

“Great player. Still part of our team. I think really a guy that has continued to elevate. He started from way back and worked his way into being a scholarship player. I think he’s really had an impressive career and has come a long way.”

No mention of what went on Saturday with Stone, a backup cornerback and special teams player. The way he got hurt, lowering his head and flipping a New Mexico return man, looked frighteningly familiar for football fans who have seen players suffer life-changing paralysis that way. Stone took a knee or thigh to the helmet and dropped, face forward and motionless, to the turf.

Several long minutes later, everyone exhaled when he was able to get to his feet and walk off, though what came next was a trip to the hospital. In fairness to Leach, I know he was genuinely concerned — so what would have been the harm in hearing it?

Figure that many Tech fans, ones with hearts, would welcome a one-time exception to Leach’s injury policy.

Instead, on Wednesday, he said, “We don’t have any further comment on any of that. He’s not ready to play right now.”

Leach has gotten a lot of stuff right over the last 10 years, and it shows with the success and popularity of the program. This time, he’s wrong. One, acknowledging reality in this case wouldn’t have been that distracting.

Did you notice this week that while Leach was denying the obvious with Taylor Potts, Florida coach Urban Meyer had no problem discussing the latest on his quarterback with a concussion, Tim Tebow? Encircled by cameras and reporters, Meyer didn’t squirm a bit, and you could see all this on ESPN.

Big-time programs do it that way.

And, hey, since attracting the nation’s best high school players is paramount, did we mention that talking about an injury got Meyer on ESPN?

Something else that’s all over ESPN lately are the week-to-week updates on injured Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. And, news flash, the Sooners aren’t 2-2 because of the distraction. They’ve lost a couple because without Bradford, tight end Jermaine Gresham and wide receiver Ryan Broyles, they’re a lot less menacing.

Leach doesn’t get asked much about injuries anymore, because it’s been clear ever since September 2003 — when the newspaper wrote about and the TVs talked about Adell Duckett’s strained knee ligament — that he’s not going to reveal anything.

In fact, Leach readily admitted this week that he has no qualms lying about whatever hurts might befall his guys.

But what happened to Stone — and to Potts, for that matter — weren’t every-Saturday pitfalls. Leach could have broken ranks with himself and offered something along these lines: It’s a violent game. These guys put themselves on the line. They got hurt, but thank God it wasn’t worse.

Would have been the humanitarian thing to do.

To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com uE06C 766-8735

Bookmark and Share

Comments

  • TK said:

    Urban Meyer was on ESPN not because he was doing the “humanitarian thing”; he was on ESPN because he’s coaching the top-ranked team. He also just happened to be talking.

    (Report comment)

  • techfan said:

    Agreed TK. ESPN cant get enought of Tebone and Florida, and it kinda makes me sick. I have seen updates everyday this week as to whether Tebone will play….it’s ridiculous. I love to Tech but its unfair to consider us on the same tier as OU and UF. Frankly, i think Leach is looking out for his player’s safety and privacy.

    (Report comment)

  • thom young said:

    Leach will not compromise on this policy, so there is no sense trying to change it

    (Report comment)

  • Rooster said:

    Really, the humanitarian thing to do would be for Don Williams to spare us of this nonsense. It belittles all of us to have to read something as silly as this.

    (Report comment)

  • MississippiRaider said:

    Stupid article! You normally have substance and good content, but this is just anti-Leach propaganda. Being on ESPN will not win you football games. Why not try interviewing the player, get his thoughts….

    (Report comment)

  • pootypie said:

    I admire a man that has the backbone to stick to ANY policy these days, with the media hounding them.

    Don Williams mentioning what other schools/coaches do is just a cheap shot.

    Tech does it like Tech does it. Period.

    More important things going on in Tech football than having to see reporters snipping at the coach’s heels.

    (Report comment)

  • straight shooter said:

    Don’s right; you guys are wrong on this one. And for another reason. “Well, we don’t have any injuries at Texas Tech, so he’ll be fine” line by Leach is just another area where Leach comes across as a smug, condescending jerk. Makes him and Tech look bad. I don’t see or hear Lubbock media and I’ve seen him do that more than once on national or regional TV. Now, a guy could have been paralyzed and he’s coy? C’mon. That’s over the top. Leach really needs to check himself on a few things, like poking fun at the injured Aggie QB in the spring. Guess what? A few months later, Mike has his first QB go down who will now miss a game. Leach has bought into his own crazy Pirate/ football genius persona too much. Guarantee players resent it, too. To quote Brandon Carter: This one’s on Leach!!

    (Report comment)

  • Joseph said:

    Straight Shooter,
    The only problem is you are shooting straight but you dont see the target. The one thing that no one has mentioned is that Leach may be allowing this player to work through this on his own accord, or in other words this may be with the full support of the player that is injured. Having a spinal injury that is career ending is a humbling thing, possibly the player didnt want him on tv or radio discussing it and possibly the player was not wanting any more distractions to the team and to just be able to heal … Come on your making coments about something that your only data in has come from the media…. (an unbiased base of knowledge) ha. Hilarious, do we not have anything better to do than comment on how he handles injury reports. By the way, being here in sooner country as a TECH fan I have heard very little about Bradford, and the media has been hailing stoops here locally for not giving out injury information, as an advantage> How does that fit into the ideology of the article.

    (Report comment)

  • Knostrathomas said:

    The right thing to do is not release someone else’s medical information.

    (Report comment)

  • Darnce said:

    Mr. Williams, the problem with the media is that it invests too much time discussing injuries. Mr. Leach is breaking no rules. If he was required by rule to discuss injuries ala the NFL, his legal background would cause him to comply. He is not. He does not. As usual, Mr. Leach is correct. I enjoy your writing.

    (Report comment)

  • noel said:

    i’m sure he’ll make a statement after the season has been played. the right thing to do imo.

    (Report comment)

  • Stan said:

    I agree with Coach Leach. There is privacy in this world. In the medical world there is the HIPAA law. If the player or his family or other representative wishes to reveal his condition or other information, let them do so. Would Mr. Williams want his editor to announce to the world that he had some diagnosis and he would be leaving his position with his work? He is asking Coach Leach to do things that other “employers” are not allowed to do. Mr. Williams should get of his publicity seeking stool and support our team, university and the coaching staff.

    (Report comment)

  • PlainOTXen said:

    Don needs to keep his mouth shut. People should be emailing him to do so. His email is at the end of the article.

    (Report comment)

  • Steven said:

    Don, you wasted time on this article… and I wasted time reading it. Don’t be so righteous in your indignation. it is really offensive. You appear to be attacking Leach (the man) not Leach (the coach) as an uncaring man, and that is a low blow. We all know that Leach is a good man but you seem to want to rip at him personally. Chill out.

    (Report comment)

  • Bob said:

    Leach is just looney. We all know someone like him. Brilliant mind for certain things and a complete psychiatrist’s dream for other parts of his brain.

    I can see a Jim Carlen-like breakdown from Leach. His days are numbered at Dead Raiderland.

    (Report comment)

  • Chuck said:

    Don -

    You really are a whiny little man, aren’t you?

    (Report comment)

  • Marty said:

    Send Coach Leach to Louisville, we’ll take him !!!!

    (Report comment)

  • Michael said:

    Very well put Steven. Bob, wishful thinking is…well just wishful thinking.

    (Report comment)

  • Matador70 said:

    Mr. Williams, shut up you whiny little whimp! You’re mad because you want to report something that’s none of your business and Big Bad Mr. Leach won’t let you…wa, wa, wa. One question: is it more “humanitarian” to go on national tv and talk about it to bring attention to yourself or just to keep your mouth shut and protect the student’s privacy?

    (Report comment)

  • Clay said:

    Love your writing, Don!
    I wasn’t there to hear Coach Leach’s comments, his tone, or anything else.
    Maybe if I was I would’ve taken umbrage to his approach. As it is, I don’t have a problem with Leach’s tight-lipped policy concerning injuries.
    I don’t see it as being disrespectful to a player. If it is, then yes, he should make an exception.

    (Report comment)

  • Clay said:

    I don’t understand all the vitriol against Don Williams.
    Disagree, but don’t call a great reporter nasty names.
    He’s a huge Tech supporter, and he does a great job in print and on the radio.
    Give the guy a break!
    You critics are overreacting big-time.

    (Report comment)

  • king of the... said:

    I watched the replay several times – Stone was blocked in the back just before lunging to make the tackle and that is what caused him to lower his head at the New Mexico return man. I am not a whiner, but poor officiating has been a common denominator in all five of Tech’s game so far this season and kids are getting hurt. I am not saying that bad calls have only affected the Red Raiders, but also their opponents. Referees, please blow the whistle, throw the flag – you are one of the last lines of defense for a mostly chaotic and gruesome sport.

    (Report comment)

  • raider 1011 said:

    don williams is wrong, let Leach do his job the way he wants to.if don was a good reporter he would not need leach to tell him about our injured players. go out and do some real reporting outside of your office.

    (Report comment)

  • Old Man '63 said:

    Don, you do an excellent job of reporting and I really enjoy reading your articles and most of the time I agree with you. This time I agree with Coach Leach in protecting the privacy of the Tech student athletes. Looking at Mike’s career here at Tech there is no way I would question his success in looking out for these young men and their teammates. What Myer does has nothing to do with Tech. If you want to get the story, call the individual or their parents as they are the only ones who should be giving out information.

    (Report comment)

  • Mike said:

    Don Williams is just starving for drama and decided if he can’t get any out of the coach he is just goin to create some himself. After the New Mexico game Don Williams asked coach if there was a heated discussion between him and New Mexico’s coach because of the last second touchdown. Leach denied it, as there obviously wasn’t one. Don Williams sure wished there had been one though. Maybe it’s time to move towns Don, head down to Gainesville where you can bask in the glory of Urban Meyer who you and ESPN respect so much.

    (Report comment)

  • pootypie said:

    King: I knew it would have to be a block in the back to cause him to lower his head.

    Tech coaches don’t glorify spearing , unlike UT & OU do.

    (Report comment)

  • TallMike said:

    I don’t agree with Don Williams on this piece. It is weak in premise and in content.

    “And, hey, since attracting the nation’s best high school players is paramount, did we mention that talking about an injury got Meyer on ESPN?”

    But, isn’t that really a bit slimy ?

    (Report comment)

  • Techster said:

    Mr Williams, This matter has nothing to do with a lack of Mike Leach’s caring for humanity. It has to do with protecting the overall well-being of his team. Obviously there are HIPPA Laws that he must adhere to and there are ambulance chasers lurching on every comment that the media prints. Also have you ever thougt about what the parents of these athletes go through emotionally, not only because of the injury, but thinking their son’s futures and dreams etc. The legality of these situations can go South in a hurry if taken lightly. I am glad that we have Mike Leach, an attorney himself, who can make sensible decisions in the face of adversity during the heat of battle. Thnaks Mike for being a responsible man as well as an outstanding football coach.

    (Report comment)

  • Ralph said:

    I don’t totally have a problem with Leach not commenting on Stone’s or other guys’ injuries, but it would be good for him to clarify why he does it, I think. Is it for self-serving FB strategic reasons? Privacy laws? Or both?
    I think there’s some type of liability involved with regards to medical privacy laws.

    However, I don’t think it’s out of line for him to do like Williams suggested: just say Stone was injured and his playing days are over. I mean, the guy’s playing days are over and his status as a human is much more important than his football status!
    It’s that simple.

    But if the relationship between coaches and players is that the coaches truly do care for them as people, not just as players, then I have no big issue with it. And I too, like Clay, don’t understand all the hate lobbied Williams’ way. He’s not a “Tech-hater” as some have stated, and does a fair, objective job covering Tech.

    (Report comment)

  • ES said:

    Don’s jumping the shark moment.

    (Report comment)

  • Jim said:

    Yes, Coach Stoops and Sam Bradford have both talked to the media a number of times about Sam’s injury. Almost all of that “information” has been “We don’t know.” Do you think that was entirely honest? It gets pub but all the talk is still speculation. A Sports Animal talk guy even said this week he has insider sources who lead him to think Sam may still have surgery and is done for the season. And Sam admitted that his pro prospects are a sizable factor in his decision (which is realistic). I don’t recall exactly what Coach Urban said about Tebow’s condition, but my impression is ala Sergeant Schultz, “I know nossing, nossing!”

    I can see gamblers wanting all the details on impact players, but sports talk purveyors (sp?) who have no respect for Hippa laws should at least be willing to do their own digging and respect the coach’s policy. (Even if that is not Coach’s motivation.) The extent of the A-J’s digging seems to be watching players leaving practise for slings, boots, and pads. I, of course, have no idea whether Stone wants his condition kept private or not.. I also don’t know, but believe that Coach Leach will say the appropriate things if it becomes official that Stone is done for the year or forever.

    Best wishes for both Nathan Stone and Taylor Potts.

    BTW, I have read that Potts will not dress for Saturday’s game. If true, I hope his beard has grown to body-length.

    (Report comment)

  • Horns will win again on Saturday said:

    Don, don’t listen to these critics. They turned against Crabtree, and now you. Just watch, after the Scarlet Raiders start losing next week, they will turn on Leach and the players. Besides, the Longhorn fans think you are a great sports writer. Keep it up.

    (Report comment)

  • redbird said:

    Nice “finish” Jim.

    At least I hope it grows to somewhere between the knee and the thigh…………

    (Report comment)

  • sonny said:

    HIPAA Laws Don, HIPAA Laws.
    You should know about them.
    Let the indiviual that is hurt or family put the information out.

    Over all Leach is right.

    I would like to hear a daily updates from hospital spokeman or family about serious injuries.

    (Report comment)

  • arthur epps said:

    Leach’s tenure at Tech will be fondly remembered for what it now has become — a nice sideshow carnival of a football program: fun to watch but nothing of any real lasting and serious consequence comes out of the program football-wise. Tech (and the Big XII) is much better with Leach as its coach given the mediocre teams fielded annually by Tech over the past so many decades. Leach is what he is–a good coach, probably a really decent guy who loves being miserable and poking fun at the establishment and its members–whatever and whomever they may be. But, in the end, many laugh at Tech and cheer on the more serious contenders for BCS bowls, national titles, etc. in the Big XII. Good on ya Tech. Keep up the good work. You’re enjoyable to watch but gosh I’m glad to root for another. And, my predictiona s to when Leach and Tech will divorce each other: 3 years. Leach will tire of running the “lose 4 or more football games a year no matter what I do” treadmill that is fact of life in discotech land.

    (Report comment)

  • Houston Raider said:

    So Don, do you know if Coach Leach has had any conversations with Nathan Stone or anyone in his family about his current situation? If so, did you evaluate those conversations as being unhumanitarian?
    Your article just reeks of some kind of personal issue you have with Leach’s policy of not discussing injuries with the media. And, in my opinion, is a sad attempt to bring it up in some way to try to make the coach look bad.
    I, for one Tech fan who has a heart, support Leach’s policy and wish you would go find something meaningful to write. I send my best wishes and prayers to Nathan Stone as he moves forward from this injury (and no, I don’t need any more information about the situation from Coach Leach in order to do that).

    (Report comment)

  • Vincenzo said:

    I do not agree at all with this article, trying to paint Mike Leach as heartless, basically. This is not good journalism.

    (Report comment)

  • K-State Cats said:

    We are going to kick your @ss.

    (Report comment)

  • redbird said:

    arthur….sounds like a whole lot of jealousy to me.

    you must be one of those TU funs…..”nothing of any real lasting and serious consequence comes out of the program football-wise”…………..well how about last year’s Co Big 12 South Division Championship?

    (Report comment)

  • Sailfish said:

    Cats don’t stand a chance in Lubbock. This weekend will be a redemption match not only for the 2 loses but also for the negative media attention received from Leach’s poor decisions.

    Furthermore, Mr. Epps, Can Gerald Myers replace Leach with a coach that will win football games like Leach has??? Probability is not good. So I expect Leach to be there longer than your prediction. And the 4 loses per season is likely if Leach continues his gambling on 4th downs and kick offs, BUT if he starts making educated desicions probability is that you Mr. Epps will be on the losing end against TECH.

    (Report comment)

  • justech said:

    This is so stupid leave leach alone support your coach. and if i was hurt i wouldnt want my coach telling everyone by business there are certain rights in this country and privacy is one of them. chill out!!

    (Report comment)

  • Lee said:

    What a poorly reasearched and poorly written article.

    Stoops and Meyer were on TV because their injured players were the past two heisman winners.

    NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD HEARTED COACHES!

    If Leach had gone on record as Don mentioned…. there wouldn’t have been ANY papers or channels that would have picked it up…. heck, Tech can’t even get a positive article from their own hometown newspaper.

    FAR too many of Don Williams articles are Anti-Tech…. or Anti-Leach.

    If I knew the right people, I would make the call and have him writing in the “homes” section of the AJ.

    As for the leadership of the AJ… I suggest that you get a sports writer that supports the home team.

    (Report comment)

  • Willie the Wildcat said:

    Fight, you K-State Wildcats
    For Alma Mater fight-fight-fight!
    Glory in the combat
    For the purple and the white.

    Faithful to our colors
    We will ever be,
    Fighting ever fighting for a
    Wildcat victory!

    Go State!

    (Report comment)

  • Amarillo Red Raider said:

    It isn’t up to Texas Tech or Mike Leach to disclose player injuries to the public. It’s up to the person involved, otherwise it is a HIPPA violation which I am sure that Leach (a lawyer) is aware of. Williams, maybe you should do some research on privacy laws. Tebow and Bradford may have given permission for their respective schools and coaches to give out personal medical information. Is it coincidence that Leach quit talking about injuries in 2003 when the HIPPA Privacy Rules became effective in 2003? I don’t think so!

    (Report comment)

  • garyount said:

    You are wrong on this one, Don,dont understand your reasoning, medical reports other than the N FL are not public knowledge, I do have a problem and I m sure others do of probably not having Potts evaluated, clearly he wasnt the same after the illegal hit in the Texas game, that issue also was in todays sports news where Peters and Hart said they werent the same for several weeksafter the hit they took, we still dont know about head injurys and there long term effects, I enjoy football but without a doubt its a dangerous sport..

    (Report comment)

  • Techsan13 said:

    This was a pretty fair article until Mr. Williams called Coach Leach a liar. Any wonder why a coach gets tired of some sports writers? I know that Mr. Williams feels that he is just doing his job, but if that is the case then why can’t he understand that Coach Leach is just trying to do his? I’m not saying that Mr. Williams should start writing flattering untruths about the program, but if he wants to get shut out some more he can call the head coach a liar again.

    (Report comment)

  • Gerald Caldwell said:

    Nice article Don. I have always though Leach’s policy was a bit idiotic. Most schools have no problem releasing the info. The NFL makes it mandatory. It doesn’t hurt the team either way. Opposing teams may look at individual players…but the better teams don’t really care that much. They worry more about doing their jobs correctly. If a player plays or not…then you make a decision. No team can predict with 100% certainty who is going to be playing across from them.

    As for season ending injuries or career enders…those should definitely be spoken of. They are not going to play again and there is no reason to leave anyone hanging. Nothing more frustrating to fans then seeing athletes in street cloths all season and listening to the rumors. How does that effect how an opposing team is going to prepare…it doesn’t! I can’t think of any reason for Leach to do that except for it being a control issue.

    Like you were saying Don…if it gets you on ESPN…it is publicity for the school. This school has a hard enough time getting any publicity. Future recruits go to schools they have heard of. How many times do we have to hear…a recruit didn’t know anything about Tech until Tech came calling. 99% of the time…that recruit is going some place else. Tech seriously needs to get better publicist and get the teams and coaches involved. If that means changing some policies…so be it! I told my office that the Twitter ban was the best thing for Tech only in that it got Tech on ESPN and they didn’t even win! Don’t agree with the ban but it had Tech in the news all week. I think the only one distracted was Leach…plus a little bruising of the ego because he couldn’t take the criticism. Most of the people I talked to…believe the criticisms were substantiated. You want you players to follow you and look up to you…make smart decisions!

    Good or bad…the school needs to do a better job at getting the “Name” out!

    (Report comment)

  • redbird said:

    Sorry Gerald………..cannot relate to using the injuries for an opportunity to “market” the program.

    Does that seem ethical for the inhured student athletes?

    (Report comment)

  • Willie the Wildcat said:

    Paws Up! Scratch’em… Scatch’em… Meowwwww…. Argghhhhrrr!

    (Report comment)

  • EAST TECHSAN said:

    Willie the Wildcat said:
    Paws Up! Scratch’em… Scatch’em… Meowwwww…. Argghhhhrrr!

    ??????

    Wreckem Texas Tech

    We will too

    (Report comment)

  • True Raider said:

    Don, Why don’t you just pull your pants up a little higher and go cover SMU sports. The reason Leach stopped talking about injuries was fact that every question asked him and his players in media days were about injuries. You guys just kept harping about the subject. Why should he talk about Stones injury if it is not serious. Do you have proof that is is serious? I feel it would better for the AJ if you and your Longhorn grad sidekick could find another gig.

    (Report comment)

  • Willie the Wildcat said:

    Did I tell u my girlfriend is a Cougar? Purrrrrrrrrr…

    (Report comment)

  • piratesRcowards said:

    Leach is a drunk.

    (Report comment)

  • jm said:

    Never have liked Don Williams anyway. He could not cover a toilet seat, much less sports and the Red Raiders. He is such a wuss.

    (Report comment)

  • Gerald Caldwell said:

    REDBIRD…I don’t believe I made any comments about using an injury likes Stones to promote the school. Please don’t read anything into my comments. I did say the school does need to promote itself better. The coaches are there to talk about and inform people as to what is going on with the football team. More times then not…it seems they are running away from the media like a scared wet puppy! Like in the Pros players and coaches are required to talk to the media. Every year it is like a Black Out with Tech and they won’t talk about this or that. They need to start informing the fans as to what is going on with their team. I know Stones injury is bad…tell people so they can pray for him. You never know…members of the communitiy may come out to support him in other ways as well. Let people know! What good is it to hide it!

    It is purely Leach’s own personal policy and the school needs to put and end to it. Good things can come from those who are informed!

    (Report comment)

  • grant anderson said:

    Too bad for the injuries, surely Don W. knows its part of the game.

    Bring on Sheffield, want to see more of him. Step in, motivate folks, score points.

    (Report comment)

  • Gerald Caldwell said:

    It is part of the game and the fans are part of the game too. The injury question is one asked by sports reporters to coaches every week after every game. If Leach can’t handle it then maybe he is in the wrong business. Leach needs to learn to work with the media and how to talk to them.

    Pat Knight tells the media and fans about his players injuries, Kristi Curry does, Spencer with the baseball team does, Tennis coaches do…and this is just at Tech. Those are just the sports I pay attention to. So why not the football team. It is a part of sports. Players get injured. I feel like Leach is not part of Tech. Tech is not just the players but the students, alum, Lubbockites and fans across the nation. They want to know what is going on with the team. Leach acts like it is his on personal private group and only they get to know what is going on. That is childish!

    I have heard HPPA, player privacy. anyone have a good reason for keeping the secrets at Tech? Think about it…if those held water we would have coaches across the country being arrested!

    (Report comment)

  • Thrash said:

    I started reading this and I wasn;t sure what your beef was. There is a lot of missing info in this story. Then there it was—your mad because he doesn’t discuss injuries with the media. Its not about you. Don’t try to insert yourself into the story. You’ve seen too many movies. They will work it out. How many players will you get to go on the record that Leach does not care about his players? From interviews I have seen I have not heard anything of that nature. Do you think that he could still get the quality of players he has or the performance that he has, if they did not like or respect him? It appears that you haven’t learned much over the years about coaches and players.

    (Report comment)

  • Thrash said:

    To Willie the Wildcat —Thems some inspirin lyrics………..

    (Report comment)

  • Flash Lite said:

    Don you have given us many great articles over these past years. You usually stick to reporting the facts with a little sports slant as usual. I am proud of your article because it just goes to show how “dumb” coach Leach can be sometimes. He is a very good coach agreed. However, when faced with a career ending injury to one of our players why keep that fact corked? The kid and his family must be defastated along with the team. For a head coach to take his attitude just belittles the fact. Thank God he is not paralyzed otherwise you wouldn’t hear much about it til seasons end. There is a time for policy and there is a time to bend it. Knute Rockne, Tom Landry, Bill Parcells, Daryl Royal, and (probably for the publicity) Mack Brown all would have publicly acknowledged this on behalf of the team and not “hidden” it and for what reason anyway. Just one more thing Coach Leach ………

    (Report comment)

  • MJ said:

    Don Williams has covered Texas Tech football for 20 years. He knows more statistics, more facts and remembers more players than any so-called fan of the Red Raiders. If this man has all this knowledge about the Red Raider football team and is the most equipped to speak intelligently about them, I’m absolutely going to listen.

    Further, the comments listed about Don Williams needing to be more supportive of the “home” team are some of the most ignorant sentiments I’ve ever heard. Don Williams is a journalist and as such, it is his job to cover Red Raider football without bias. If he only ever reported encouraging, supportive things about the team and its leadership he would be completely remiss as a reporter.

    It saddens me that so many people can take such cheap shots at Don Williams this way, despite his vast knowledge and his objectivity. Eventually, when Don retires from journalism, the Texas Tech community will be at a great loss for someone who can deliver consistent, unbiased and knowledgable coverage of our Red Raiders.

    Let this roll off your back Don and pay no attention to these ill-informed people.

    (Report comment)

  • bryan said:

    I think the reason Leach is being silent on the issue is because this has now gone beyond the realm of football. A person’s life has changed and it is now the player’s right to speak or nor speak on the issue. Leach did the right thing. I’m sure that once Nathan and his family have come to terms with the issue, Leach will have something to say at the appropriate time.

    (Report comment)

  • Some fan said:

    The timing of the study on concussions in the NFL and some high profile college injuries is sending a big ripple through the press right now. But Leach’s humanity is not the issue here. He looks after the players, and there is a solid safety net in the local medical community. The press too. Don sounds like a worried parent.
    There is another side to releasing general injury information. Other teams will aim for that injury. Moreover, no player wants to a stat on the gambling boards.

    (Report comment)

  • noel said:

    “Most of us learn to read and write in the 3rd grade, the rest go on to be sports writers.”
    Bob Knight

    welcome to raiderland cats, i hear you’re whats for dinner!!!
    WRECK’EM!!!

    (Report comment)

  • piratesRcowards said:

    Don has covered Tech sports for 20 years ?

    Poor guy !

    (Report comment)

  • redbird said:

    GERALD………

    First, I do not think you had ill intentions in the marketing thoughts. Just, do not agree with the timing of an “that” opportuinity to market on ESPN (in that specific situation). But, I now do believe your point was more general and not specific.

    Given that, I also believe your criticism of marketing towards Leach is inaccurate. When in the histrory of Tech football, have we received as much attention as we did last season? Also, he is a quite popular interview this year (see Texas Monthly September cover, plus even last year’s Sixty Minutes).

    Also, managing players when you dealing with 19, 20 and 21 year olds that change every year, is a lot different than the NFL. Obviously Leach approaches his players “exposure” issues while trying to compete.

    (Report comment)

  • Jonathan said:

    Just a thought but his future dreams, the other ones, need some fire also

    (Report comment)

  • nowdemo said:

    The student athletes are not celebrities, the story should be about the Tech talent level either recruited or walk-ons and how they compete at such a high level. This is perhaps due to great coaching, effort and motivation! If you looked at games won, the close games lost, stats, and the fact that the teams Tech plays, Lubbock and the fans receive more for their money then any other place in the country. Coach Leach does his job and if he wasn’t we would not have Sheffield there ready to come in when Potts was injured. (I think a lot of people want Coach Leach to let us know that the Sun comes up every morning.) Looking forward to the rest of the season!

    (Report comment)

  • Lee said:

    Gerald….. quit talking out of both sides of your mouth.

    You DID say that Tech should use injuries to promote the school… I pulled this directly from your comment:

    “Like you were saying Don…if it gets you on ESPN…it is publicity for the school.”

    Using injuries to promote your school is a very sick idea… and makes me sad that you claim to be a Red Raider.

    (Report comment)

  • Lenny G said:

    Don,

    Leach is abiding by the Medical Privacy Act which does not allow people to disclose medical information on another person’s behalf. Read the HIPAA laws and leave it to the injured person to decide what information should be released and how.

    Len

    (Report comment)

Trackbacks

There are no trackbacks