Appy St. #54

[FamilyMan]

As an App fan, it broke my heart to see Jabari Fletcher flip off the Montana crowd. There is no excuse for what he did. I don't know Jabari but have heard he's a terrific kid who just wears his emotions on his sleeve. I think it was just a bad moment for a good guy. (Fletcher's teammates nicknamed him The Mayor because he's so friendly to everyone!) Our AD Charlie Cobb just about tackled him on the field, so I have a feeling it was dealt with appropriately. Anyway, sorry! Congratulations on the win and best of luck Friday night.

Good enough for me. Congrats to App State on a well played game. Let's not tarnish this great game with continued focus on this one unfortunate event. With all the positives that App State brought to Missoula this weekend, I for one can certainly let this go.

 

[Appaholic]

Actually helmet to helmet contact is illegal. You can lead with your head but it is a really bad thing to do due to the risk of spinal compression. If you keep your head up and lead with your face mask the the neck can flex which will relieve most of the pressure (still hurts though).

Cool...thx for clarification...

 

[GrizGuy]

I thought App State played a clean game. If one guy was being dumb, well, one guy was being dumb. I certainly wouldn't hold it against the entire team. I think you see a ton more extra-curricular stuff when you're there in person as opposed to watching on a screen.

I gotta agree w/ all the eGrizzers who have props for the ASU fans. It's a great program and the fans seem great. I going to the chipper and I hope to meet a few at the game. I'm not looking forward to the grudge match facing the Griz when the two teams meet in Boone! ASU will be out for blood!

Both teams really played so hard, it almost made me wanna cry because I was SO PROUD of them. ASU's coach is right -- and he'd better not get in trouble for the comments -- FCS did NEED a game like that on national TV. Those young men did their alum proud. They did the entire FCS proud. If my FaceBook responses from friends around the nation was any indication, the Griz and Mountaineers convinced A LOT of people that our guys play damned good football in the FCS and they'll be rooting for Montana on Friday. It was just a spectacle and I'm thrilled that the Griz were part of it.

Go Griz!

 

[kemajic]

The biggest thrill for me, other than a great Grizzly win, was the chance to see Armanti Edwards live. And he did not disappont; he is the real deal. We were never safe with him on the field. A class act; he will be an icon at ASU like Dave Dickenson has been at UM. I understand the next in line is a great prospect, but man, does he have big shoes to fill....

 

[Appaholic]

The biggest thrill for me, other than a great Grizzly win, was the chance to see Armanti Edwards live. And he did not disappont; he is the real deal. We were never safe with him on the field. A class act; he will be an icon at ASU like Dave Dickenson has been at UM. I understand the next in line is a great prospect, but man, does he have big shoes to fill....

Quite frankly, the shoes are unfillable IMO....really unfair to the next guy to expect but, being the unreasonable fans that football make of some people, that won't stop us from attempting to make the comparison...

 

[tgriz]

I was standing down in the NE when this joker jumped out of the stands, ran over to #54 and took his picture and said something to him, #54 smacked the camera out of the guys hand. One of the APP coaches ran over and said something to the security guy; who went after the idiot. Some folks in the NEZ started giving #54 some crap, so he turned and flipped them off. The App coach grabbed the guy right away and took him into the tunnel.

I won't make excuses for the middle finger, however, there was bad behavior on both sides. I thought App played a great game and their players, coaches and fans represented with class.

 

[hlnagriz]

The NEZ was egging him on. Emotions were high, they just lost in the semifinals, and he probably wasn't thinking completely clearly. That sort of thing was happening both ways, he just got caught.

 

['68griz]

Just let the kid go home. Things happen in such circumstances. I'm sure no one is the worse for the "incident."

 

[BDizzle]

He could've been like the Oregon player (Blount) and knocked the dude out.

 

[nzone]

I find it easy to forgive the guy. What App State brought to Missoula was class and provided one of the best football games I've seen. My memory banks are filled with "just good stuff."
Go Griz!!

 

[miamihitter]

Dear Montana Fans,

Please do not let this be a surprise that I, Jabari Fletcher am writing on your message board.

Please allot and grant me the opportunity to apologize to you all who may have seen me in my worst behavior. I sincerely apologize for my behavior and actions to the parents of the players, the kids, the fans and to my family and school for acting the way I did. If you do not believe this is me please email me at [email protected].

My emotions are not worn on my sleeves but rather it felt like my efforts had gone to waste. My character hasn't changed. My morals and values are still growing through taking in the good and bad that comes with life. Charlie Cobb (Athletic Director) actually tackled me out of love and anger. I deeply regret what I did because of the people who look at me as a role model. Yes it is true, my teammates and coaches call me the mayor because as they say "I go around shaking hands and kissing babies." Yes I am a good person and student and that not felt like I let down the seniors, family and friends back at home. It will be hard for me to ask for forgiveness for myself but instead I do ask for for forgiveness for my team and the name that I wear on the front of my jersey that says Appalachian State University.

Happy new Year to all and may your year bring joy and happiness.

Jabari L. Fletcher
ASU

"My life is my message!" -Mahatma Gandhi

 

[RobGriz]

Jabari, If this is you, you should know one thing. Griz Nation forgave you when the game was over Brother. I can't speak for everyone I guess, but, the respect that we have for Appalachian St and the players is second to none. If you are worried about what happened and the comments some of us made, don't. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you for playing this great sport and for giving us, the fans, all you have.
Robgriz.

 

[GrizLA]

well i have always been taught to never help up another teams players..but if he did flip off the crowd then that is 100% unaccepatable

Seriously??? And that's the crap that is killing sportsmanship and character for today's youth. Taught to never help up another team's player???? That's ridiculous. No offense to you personally, but if that's what you're taught then I guess it should be expected. You will see MANY Griz players offering help all the time to the other team. Hell, I went to Carroll College and would see a linebacker drill a QB and help him up.

It just pisses me off that you don't see that crap as much anymore. Instead we get to watch the next Chad Johnsons and Terrell Owens' do their stupid victory dance for making a routine tackle. Where's the sportsmanship? Where's the character?? What happened to teaching kids that it's okay to lay the guy out and then help him up???

Maybe it's just the Montana way, but obviously we can play with intensity fire, while keeping the CLASS and CHARACTER of the game. If that's what they're teaching over there in the east, then Im so glad I live in the Big Sky Country.

Not sure what you meant in your last paragraph, but I remember a Montana kid in the national champ game basically walking up and smashing a player in the face and I remember a couple of chop blocks at a Weber game...face it, there are good kids and bad kids and kids who just lose control everywhere. I do agree that the behavior of so many after a tackle, a td, anything is not cause to thump chests, dance around, scream....but it is the norm now..

 

[Bluenoser]

From his bio:

http://www.goasu.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=21500&ATCLID=1546204

Personal : Full name is Jabari Lee Fletcher... born June 23, 1989 (20 years old) ... son of Latasha Kendricks ... cousin, Nick Ferguson, plays professionally for the Houston Texans ... majoring in recreation management ... was instrumental in organizing activities for the Watauga County Special Olympics.

:thumb: Jabari. Classy move coming here and good luck in the future.

 

[jtgriz2]

I appreciate the passion in which you play the game Jabari!

If this is the worst thing you do in your life than you will have a good one!

Good luck in School and Football in 2010, and may you have a Blessed New Year

 

[argh!]

happy new year to you, to!

 

[Big One 25]

pretty neat if it is him. the guy couldve went about his life and not worried about it. i forgot even what he did. small moment of emotion in one of the greatest games i have been a part of.

 

['68griz]

Thanks, Jabari. We've all done and said things we wish we hadn't, but not all of us have apologized for our actions. You have, and I appreciate that. All the best to you in this new year.

 

[UMAlum]

I appreciate the apology and good wishes. That game will be remembered in GRIZ lore for many years to come. Thanks to you and your mates for that memory ... and good luck Jabari!

 

[miamihitter]

I really appreciate the encouraging words from you all. Appalachian State is a good school and I am only fortunate for being in a good school. This is me if you, don't believe me, ask any question on here about me and I can tell you.

To these people I want to thank for your forgiveness and best wishes:

UMAlum: Thank you for accepting my apology.

68Griz: My cousin, who is playing for the Texans is one of my mentors and he told me this. "For every action comes an equal or greater consequence!" But I did this because I felt that I am becoming a man and my emotions cannot be shown but rather channeled into a positive action. I truly thank you for sharing that with me. That gave me a bit of encouragement.

Big One 25: Yes! it is me. If you do not believe ask me any question. Originally I was born in Miami, Fl. My dad is deceased. My mom moved from Miami when I was 4 yrs old and my brother 1 yr old. The name of the hospital that I was born at is called Jackson Memorial Hospital look it up and see for yourself or just email me at [email protected]. I worry because as Tony Dungy said his book "be uncommon!" and I want to be unlike no other man but be great at what ever it is that I may do in life and lead be example.

Argh: May you have a blessed year!

jtgriz2: I thank you for your words of encouragement. I am a good kid but just have trouble at times with this game I love to play. Thank you dearly. Good luck to you and your team as well.

Bluenoser: Wow! I didn't think you would do this. Thank you. Coach Moore is somebody I look up too and he always teaches us about class. I am learning through this very message as my fingertips press on these keys. God Bless.

deputygrizbro: I am not sure about what you are saying.

Robgriz: I do appreciate your comment. I now understand what you mean. But I am did this because if we happen to meet again in my senior year I would not want anybody say that Appalachian players don't play far. I am representing my school and family. My mom found this websit herself by typing in "Jabari fletcher montana" on Google. In high school my junior year, we had a language arts teacher that was down to earth. Well if we didn't turn in one assignment she would give us 6 Zero's and each zero meant something. For letting down: Your family, the school, community, yourself, the teacher, and class mates if i am not mistaken. I did this because I failed everybody around me when I did. But thank you Sir. May God Bless you and may this year bring you joy.



Thanks to you all... From an Appalachian Student-Athlete to the Griz Nation...