To read the tribute to SFC Marcus Muralles, please click here
Friday, September 15, 2006
A Pleasant Surprise
Just when you think that the NCAA couldn't do a compassionate or generous (or logical, for that matter) thing, they surprise you. 
I applaud Ray Ray for his willingness to step up and be the kind of parent for his brother that neither of his parents would ever try to be. And major props to the Clemson staff, players, and Ray Ray's friends who are willing to do what they can to see that the McElrathbey boys succeed.
And, yeah... major applause to the NCAA for pretending to be a caring organization, even for just a moment.
Clemson staff will be able to provide assistance to a freshman football player who is taking care of his little brother, the school said Monday.To me, this is just an amazing story. Ray Ray wasn't just given custody of his little brother. He had to fight for it. And fight he did. And this story might just end in as happy of an ending as possible under the circumstances.
Ray Ray McElrathbey, 19, has temporary custody of his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr, because of his mother's continuing drug problems and his father's gambling addiction. The two brothers have moved from foster homes to sharing an apartment by the campus.
The school had asked the NCAA for a waiver of its rule prohibiting athletes from obtaining gifts, cash or other benefits not available to the general student population.
I applaud Ray Ray for his willingness to step up and be the kind of parent for his brother that neither of his parents would ever try to be. And major props to the Clemson staff, players, and Ray Ray's friends who are willing to do what they can to see that the McElrathbey boys succeed.
And, yeah... major applause to the NCAA for pretending to be a caring organization, even for just a moment.
