What are your feelings concerning JJ returning?

[Da Griz]

In my opinion (and before you call me names or disparage my intelligence, mind you, it is just my opinion) the only way an end can be brought to this sad chapter in Grizzly athletics and for the healing to begin is for the ACT to grant Jordan's appeal and allow him to return to WG stadium as a Montana Grizzly.

 

[62GRIZ]

There are many times in our lives where decisions are made to change careers, place of employment, houses, cities, states, or schools. These decisions change our lives forever from that point in time. One must weigh the pros and cons and follow one's heart. Sometimes it seems the easy way out is to change the current environment, but the easy way isn't always the best way. One must consider what might have been when they make the life-changing move. I trust he will make the right decision based on his list of pros and cons. I will fully support him whatever his decision turns out to be.

 

[UMAlum]

This case should not have gone to trial. IMO JJ and the accuser both got caught up in the middle of a political fire storm. The universities leadership (ie Pat Williams and Royce Engstrom) have fanned the flames while simultaneously trying to put them out. Not a very good effort ... to say the least.

If JJ wants to play football, than by all means he should be allowed to. I put my trust in the jurys decision.

 

[EverettGriz]

Is there any doubt??? Of course he can return, and I would LOVE to have him.


And Herd, the position you've taken on this issue is just, well, strange.

 

[haZyskies]

Griz need JJ!

 

[blackfoot griz]

Herd,

The "system" threw everything they had @ JJ. The guy was tried in the court of public opinion before there was a trail. The Missoulian beat the case to death. Good people were fired before this case was tested in court.
He took the stand which is often considered a death sentence. Through this entire shitstorm and media circus, the kid prevailed.

I was guilty of considering JJ guilty until proven innocent... After reading everything I could on this case, I sure as hell changed my mind. I hope he does come back and play for the Griz with his head chin up. If so, I will be in the NEZ tipping my hat to #10 when he comes on the field. Just my opinion, but he sure as hell deserves it.

 

[OldtiredGRiz]

For today, and hopefully for at least the rest of the weekend, I hope Jordan is pleasantly secluded with family and friends; away from TV, radio, internet, cell phones, any sort of contact device. I would guess that some quiet time would be a blessing. And once it's time to look at his future, both immediate and long term, I'm sure he will make an informed decision that best fits his goals, desires and interests. If that decision is to return to playing for the Griz, then I support him 100%. Sames goes if he decides to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

 

[Grizzoola]

I would be surprised if Johnson is a Griz, again. Why? Because Engstrom, I think, doesn't want him back. I base this on the two quoted statements Engstrom has made following the trial. His first statement re: outcome of the trial was terse, two sentences. (I can't find it, now.) I was struck by how cold-blooded he sounded. His statement re: Johnson's appeal struck me the same way. Nothing in there to show a desire to have JJ back. Quite the contrary: Engstrom is going to go by the letter of the "law." He's going to "fire" Johnson the way he fired Pflugrad & O'Day.

This of course depends on whether Johnson wants to appeal. But, if he does, I'd not be surprised if his appeal is turned down. Engstrom is an absolute dictator at UM. Even if the student/faculty "court" approves Johnson's return, Engstrom, I believe, will overrule it. That's my take.

 

[KRO]

The kid has been through he'll and for the first time in a long time decisions about his future are in his hands alone. I'll support his decision, whatever it is. But I will say this: Nothing would make me happier than being in Washington Grizzly Stadium this fall and seeing him take the field again, head held high.

 

[JBS]

The only people I can think of who would have any reason at all not to want him back are McKinney, SSH, and Gustafson, although I would think they would be just as thrilled as the rest of the team.

 

[Grizzoola]

The only people I can think of who would have any reason at all not to want him back are McKinney, SSH, and Gustafson, although I would think they would be just as thrilled as the rest of the team.

Of course we all want JJ back. That's not the point. The point is, I believe RE doesn't want him back, as a followthru w/ his desire to "clean up" the Griz football program & remove anything/anyone who, in his mind, has caused bad publicity for the program & UM in the past. He may want JJ back like everyone, but it's the bad publicity brought on UM by the trial & events leading up to it, not re: the character, etc., of JJ. IMO

And, it doesn't matter that the county, etc., didn't have to go thru w/ the trial. The fact is, UM's name got into national news (again) in an unfavorable way. "There's no such thing as bad PR," someone once said. Well, w/ an educational institution, there is.

UM football was already under fire for off-field transgressions, some crimes, i.e., Donaldson. Sexual assault on/off the UM campus, involving Missoula, as well, already had publicity. JJ did no more than any other male college student. I agree w/ that. But, his status as the star QB of the Griz & the environment in which he was charged, just added to UM's problems. I'm not blaming JJ; he felt he did nothing wrong, & the jury, if not several others, agreed w/ him. He is an innocent man.

But, it's the bad publicity that I think Engstrom has to deal with. Engstrom simply wants UM football to be no longer making publicity for other than winning games & championships. Or, at least stop making headlines so often for off-field transgressions. I think most of us do, too.

Re: the Pat Williams/Engstrom thing. I do not know if PW had any influence on RE or not. I don't think any on this board know for sure. But, PW, if indeed he did influence RE & what he said re: "thugs" on UM's football team, were stepping out of the bounds that the Regents' policy manual stipulates re: a member's conduct, that no regent may conduct regent business outside of the full BOR. If PW did influence RE, it was a clear violation of regent policy, for it was not something approved by the full BOR. As to his comments to the NY Times re: "thugs," he came pretty close to overstepping regent policy.

I have the sense that PW did not influence RE, because RE has a mind of his own. RE is a reformer. I read some time ago that at South Dakota, as an administrator there, he pushed thru some reforms that caused controversy, but after a time, were seen as good. RE may appear a wimp, but he is tough. I believe he thinks he's doing the right thing. So, I say, I do not believe RE wants JJ back for the above reasons. I could be totally wrong, but that's my opinion.

I hope JJ is back & can lead the Griz to another NC. I disagree heartily w/ RE's handling of the Missoula College situation, but that's another story. The guy sticks to his guns, come hell or high water.

 

[Panthera]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

 

[JBS]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

What a dumbf***. I think he showed you how prissy he was a couple of years ago when you clowns showed up for an alleged football game.

 

[Yukon]

IMO, it's not Johnson's choice . . . he has not earned the right to continue athletics at Montana based on his conduct and the problems his behavior have caused to the university.

So you're saying, in effect, that any football player who has sex during his four years of college " has not earned the right to continue athletics." :shock: I assume you think this rather high bar should apply to North Dakota State, as well as Montana? That is completely ludicrous. The man was found to be innocent. "Not guilty" means innocent - the legal terminology is "innocent until proven guilty."

Being accused of a crime that egregious is a big deal, period. Did the case get dismissed, or did it actually go to trial? It went to trial, meaning there was significant substance requiring a jury trial. So, you are saying that an acquittal washes his hands clean, and he walks over to equipment checkout for the football team? You are way off base.

If you think that you or I would be able to keep a job in this same situation, or a college athlete should be able to keep a scholarship or be allowed the privilege to once again complete after this situation, then are not living in the real world. Acquittal is a small victory, but he already lost the war when the case was handed over for a jury trial. If you think the next step is reinstatement at Montana, I'd say think again. Maybe he would be afforded a clean start somewhere else. This has happened many times in the past.

i accuse you of rape..........................now quit your job in disgrace.

 

[62GRIZ]

So, Panthera, you want to talk about Prissy? Northern Iowa is the perfect example displayed in full plumage their last two trips to Montana. I'm sure you wouldn't be emotional if you were on the verge of spending much of your adult life in prison and then suddenly you found out you weren't going to do time after all.

 

[stubbins]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

What a dumbf***. I think he showed you how prissy he was a couple of years ago when you clowns showed up for an alleged football game.

someone please say it...pretty please, I know it's too soon, but Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase say it....

 

[yellowstone60]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

What a dumbf***. I think he showed you how prissy he was a couple of years ago when you clowns showed up for an alleged football game.

wasn't it something like 48 - 10 ? :lol:

this the guy ?????

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPYLyfmDil0[/youtube]

 

[JBS]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

What a dumbf***. I think he showed you how prissy he was a couple of years ago when you clowns showed up for an alleged football game.

someone please say it...pretty please, I know it's too soon, but Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase say it....

I'm assuming what stubbins wants someone to say is that basically, JJ raped your a**

 

[Grisly Fan]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

You had a whole group of young men show up in Montana who were accused of being football players. Unfortunately for their fans they were nearly unanimously acquitted.

 

[stubbins]

For someone who is supposed to be so "upstanding" and "mentally tough" this Johnson kid sure looked prissy when the verdict was read. I mean, he was standing there crying like a little girl and intimately embracing other men...is that really what you grizz fans want over center this season (even if he really is "innocent" of this perverted act :roll???

What a dumbf***. I think he showed you how prissy he was a couple of years ago when you clowns showed up for an alleged football game.

someone please say it...pretty please, I know it's too soon, but Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase say it....

I'm assuming what stubbins wants someone to say is that basically, JJ raped your a**

Nope...just wanted someone to point out what a fun game that was watch...