Lamar Odom's Spiral Down
It has been a week of speculation, drama, and negativity surrounding Lamar Odom and his wife Khloe Kardashian-Odom. It began with allegations that Odom was addicted to crack cocaine. There were reports that he had gone missing, followed by reports that he wasn't missing. There were reports that he was likely heading back to rehab, followed by reports confirming that he was home at the Odom residence. There were reports of a family intervention for Odom in a hotel room he was staying in, followed by no confirmation.
Now the latest, according to the LA Times, is that Odom was arrested for DUI earlier this morning. Although it may not ALL be true, clearly something to these rumors is. This scares me. Even though Lamar was clearly on the decline and was probably going to lucky to get one more year or so on a roster, I begin to wonder when this all started. He's has been through so much in the past few years beginning with getting the boot from the Lakers, losing a cousin, being involved in the death of a 15-year old boy, having a horrible season in Dallas and now this. I personally believed, and still do believe, that Khloe and Lamar's marriage is real. My thoughts and prayers go out to both of them and their families.
Clearly Odom has life issues to work out that go far beyond and that are far more serious than the game of basketball.
Johnny Manziel's Suspension
In light of the allegations and NCAA investigation of Johnny Manziel receiving money for signed autographs, the NCAA and Texas A&M reached an agreement to suspend Manziel for the first half of the Aggies game against Rice on Saturday.
Last week, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp came out and said " I know he's [Manziel] innocent". He said he'd seen enough evidence to come to the conclusion that Manziel did not violate any NCAA rules.
Texas A&M's Associate Athletic Director told USA Today that the "NCAA found no evidence Manziel received monetary reward in exchange for autographs", after the suspension was agreed upon. So why not let them proceed with their investigation? The NCAA cannot punish what they cannot prove. If there is no proof why take the punishment? Granted the served suspension will cease the NCAA's investigation into the matter so the roar of the allegations can be silenced. But we all know that the sting of scandals die hard.
I was one that thought the Aggies shouldn't have even sat Manziel if no suspension had come down by Saturday because that would concede Sharp's statement and make Manziel appear to be guilty. In the end, suppose Manziel did sign autographs for pay. SO WHAT! Yes it violates NCAA rules but let's think about the disgusting amount of money Texas A&M and the NCAA have made and will make off of the likeness of Johnny Football himself. Do we still care?
Source(s): SportsDay
