Clemson foe shows sportsmanship still exists

By Bob Wilson  |   Tuesday, October 17, 2006  |  Comments( 7 )

Clemson Tigers
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The Clemson Tigers and Temple Owls played a game Thursday night that will likely be soon forgotten by all but the most diehard of fans. Clemson won big and the outcome was never in doubt. The highlight for most involved was probably the fact that a lot of younger, inexperienced players for both sides got some significant playing time. However, the generosity shown by first-year Temple coach Al Golden and his team should not be forgotten for a very long time.

The Temple players and coaches voted to donate their per diem for the Clemson game to the Fahmarr McElrathbey Trust, the fund established to provide financial assistance for the brother of Clemson defensive back Ray Ray McElrathbey. In all, the Temple program contributed $1,500 to the worthy cause.

McElrathbey, a 19-year-old, is the legal guardian of his 11-year-old brother. The boys' mother is a drug addict and their father has abandoned them - leaving Ray Ray to raise his brother while trying to balance school and football.

The Clemson football staff and players wanted to help out the brothers, but were initially told that the creation of a trust fund would be a violation and might cause Clemson to be put on probation. Fortunately, when the ACC's and the NCAA's decision to stop Clemson from creating the fund became public, it created such an uproar that the NCAA was forced to rethink its decision and allow a trust fund to be set up.

In an age of selfish athletes primarily looking out for themselves, it is refreshing to see this kind of sportsmanship exhibited. Many of Temple's players probably could have used the per diem money, yet they chose to donate it to a complete stranger.

Just two nights later, the sporting world was reminded how ugly college football can be. If you watched any sports this weekend, you saw clips of the brawl between FIU and Miami. The game was filled with taunting and cheap hits that finally escalated into full-on chaos with 31 players being suspended for their roles in the fight.

Unfortunately, the Temple players aren't receiving much credit for their kind act. I guess it doesn't make for good television.

Temple Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw had the following to say about his coach:

"Coach Golden has shown he is a true leader of men with one generous action. Long after the score of the game is forgotten, many will remember this character building lesson in life."

While the Owls may not be winners on the field this season, they are certainly winners where it matters the most.
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