The release from HokieSports.com is to the point.
Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Jim Weaver announced Friday that Cody Journell has been reinstated to the Hokie football program, effective immediately.
"Cody has fulfilled all of the obligations in conjunction with his suspension and is back as an active member of the team," Weaver said.
The redshirt junior from Ripplemead, Va., made 14-of-17 field goals last year and 43-of-44 extra points in his first year as the starting placekicker.
Journell was the lone bright spot of the kicking game last season. No placekicker stood out during spring ball and because of his consistency last season I have to believe he'll eventually regain the starters job. Hopefully he stays out of trouble off the field. I feel a lot better about our chances in close games now.
Comments
Hope he stays out of trouble.
I'm sure the lst time he does something wrong, no matter how minor it is, he'll be kicked off the team for good.
Good thing
I never deleted him as a facebook friend...
well
that's one trickle of sweat receding from the brow.
Ric Flair
No k in Ric Flair my friend.
I guess I am the only one who isn't ok with this. Troublemakers are always trouble, and that holds true 99% of the time despite touching redemption stories. Misdemeanor or not, a gun and the fact that he was dealing and not just sharing is a no-sell for me.
The low point for this program in the 20 years I have watched was letting Marcus Vick, Mike Imoh, and Brendan Hill back on this team. I don't want to see them start giving more troublemakers second chances. You can't win with them.
The fact that Journell was at a high-need position only makes it stink worse. He should be sitting with Telvion Clark somewhere reassessing their lives.
Unless you have more in depth knowledge, Journell never dealt drugs or handled anything more than an air gun. The court of law ruled a misdemeanor of trespassing. I can live with that.
calling this trespassing
and acting like that's the extent of it because that's the plea deal Journell recieved misses the point in my view. The facts and circumstances of the case, which require no in depth knowledge and have never been challenged in terms of their accuracy as far as I know, make this much more serious than the simple act of trespassing.
Honestly I don't mind giving a kid another chance. God knows I did stupid things when I was in school. The thing that bothers me is that what Journell did is MUCH worse (again, my opinion) than disorderly conduct or public drunkenness. It was a premeditated crime to made 'necessary' by an illegal transaction.
I do not know the circumstances, but without any additional information it really bothers me that Journell was given another chance, and Telvion Clark was not. Maybe Clark already had his other chances, but if so I never heard about it. I do know that some of his teammates also seemed to think his treatment was unfair (based on tweets around that time), and they probably know the circumstances better than most of us.
I'm OK with Journell being reinstated. I know a lot of people think it is a bad idea, and it sets a bad precedent. Keep in mind, throughout his tenure Beamer's given his players second chances, then cut ties if they've screwed up again. It doesn't surprise me Journell's back, and it won't surprise me when Dadi is back. What Journell did was more than stupid (being part of a group looking to steal back drugs after a transaction fell through), and cowardly (wielding an airgun). Personally, the latter pushes the threshold of my morality meter. However, he's paid/paying for his mistake(s). He's on probation and will perform community service. He's fulfilled the university's requirements. I disagree with French that troublemakers are always trouble. However, I think it's logical to reason there's more of a chance for them to get in trouble again, than it would be for a straight arrow to bend. Only time will tell what Journell will do with this opportunity, but no matter the outcome I still think he deserves the chance to turn it around.
Thanks guys, I was a bit salty when I was posting yesterday. The fact that a transation was supposed to take place was my initial red flag and then thinking that it was a good idea to use an airgun with the intent of making Zo and his boys think it was a gun is enough for me.
Best case scenario: With so many scandals in college football and the ACC, this adds un-needed attention and scrutiny to the program. Worst case is that the guy reverts, and when you need him, he gets suspended.
Sadly, the track record for these second chances is dicey at best. Some guys like Vick, Imoh and Hill were productive, but not enough to offset the stain they added to the program. All three had a reputation for being a divisive presence in the lockeroom (especially Imoh.)
Name a good redemption story in college football. Not one where a guy got in trouble and then was a great player on the field, but one who came back, was effective on the field, and was a class citizen off of it. I can't name that guy, not associated with this program.
Laveranues Coles
Had a troubled childhood, less than stellar extra-curricular record in college, and resurrected his lifestyle in the NFL (Joe Gibbs loved him). Coles revealed he was sexually abused as a boy and worked hard to be a better person. But, I see your point. Young people make mistakes, and the some seem to habitually make dumb mistakes. I doubt Journell become a model citizen, but I do believe he'll keep out of trouble.
Not associated with VT
But Cam Newton comes to mind.
Not surprised
Beamer would let Charlie Manson on the team if the kicking game depended on it. But with regard to Journell, this has been taken a little over the top. It was only a pellet gun, he's not a dealer, and it wasn't really trespassing if they let him in. Go ahead and charge him with impersonating a pizza boy, but this isn't nearly as serious as that asshat Marcus Vick. That said, if he so much as jaywalk, he's likely going to be booted, and Hokie Bird will have to handle kickoffs.
my only issue
I am happy that we get a talented player back in a position of need. Every time we setup for a field goal this season though, ESPN will talk about the arrest. They are probably already jotting this down in their notes for the game on labor day.
Agreed but
The media also likes stories of redemption.
I thnik he only has one second chance. There are plenty of 19-20 year olds that make poor choices. Most do not get caught. Many that do often wake up and turn things around. You never know how things will turn out. I believe in giving people a chance at redemption.