Bowden should forfeit wins

By Lee Roberts  |   Thursday, April 02, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

Florida State Seminoles
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The NCAA recently punished the entire Florida State athletic program for a widespread academic cheating scandal. Few sports were spared and everything from scholarship reductions to forfeiting past victories were included in the sentence from the NCAA. Florida State has appealed nothing except the forfeiting of victories for the football program. If the NCAA wants to show any real teeth, it will uphold its penalties against the Seminoles’ football program.

Bobby Bowden is a legend in coaching. His run at Florida State is nothing short of remarkable. When you finish in the top four of the rankings every year for over a decade, you clearly know how to coach football. There isn’t a person in the country who can possibly argue that Bowden is not one of the greatest football coaches in the storied history of the sport.

However, he cheated. Sure, he didn’t personally tell those players to cheat in the classroom or provide answers to tests or teach a class called Football 101 and ask questions on the final like, “How many quarters are in a football game?” But the transgressions committed by football players occurred while he was the head coach; therefore, he is culpable.

Yes, it would be unfortunate if his quest to beat Joe Paterno for the all-time wins record is cut short by losing these victories. However, if Bowden had control of his program like a head coach should, he wouldn’t be facing this dilemma. Ultimately, he is the one responsible and should suffer the consequences.

If Florida State is so adamant that the NCAA’s penalties should not include the loss of victories, it would appeal this for all sports, not just football. Clearly, FSU is catering to its highest-profile employee, and one can’t blame them for that. However, the principle behind their appeal is flawed. Hopefully, the NCAA realizes this and upholds its initial ruling. And if Paterno’s players ever get caught cheating and are ruled ineligible, then take those wins away from him, too.
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About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ...
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