Williams: UM has recruited 'thugs' for football team

[justanotherfan]

quote from NY Times story on Jordan Johnson's upcoming trial:

“We’ve had sex assaults, vandalism, beatings by football players,” said Pat Williams, a former congressman and a member of the Montana Board of Regents. “The university has recruited thugs for its football team, and this thuggery has got to stop.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/us/rape-trial-of-jordan-johnson-starts-friday.html?_r=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I must not be reading the papers all the time. How many Griz football players have been convicted of sex assaults, vandalsim and beatings in the last two years? I would just like to see the numbers that have caused this last year of turmoil and firings.

I doubt that the number of convictions will increase when the Jordy Johnson trial is concluded.

 

[grizfan95]

The problem with the comment is that it focuses on just the football team. There have been very few instances with the team (I'm talking about the number of players charged with crimes versus the 100 or so football players). If the problem is out of the ordinary and just involved football players then so be it but it is NOT out of the ordinary and does NOT just involve FB. The alleged crimes and DUIs, etc. are all across the student population at UM and all Universities. There is no justice in Williams' comment because he puts the whole issue on the backs of the football team.

there is the flaw in your thinking, the problem isn't the number that have been charged, the problem is the number of crimes that were committed and swept under the rug so they were never charged, bobby must of had a cleanup team on speed-dial

Really? Can you give me a number on the crimes swept under the rug with football players versus the rest of the population? That is the comparison you should be making. And are we talking about just the University of Montana or should we also look at MSU and other Big Sky schools? Seems you're missing the point. The point is that the focus should not be so narrowly focused. Maybe we should be looking at the entire Montana college system and see where U of M fits into the picture.

17

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

No, that's the number of top acts you've picked up in the alley behind the Mo Club.

 

[msuhunter]

Truth hurts doesn't it.

 

[indian-outlaw]

I agree that the comment was incendiary, but how was it false? There definitely have been proven cases of rape and beatings. I don't recall the vandalism, but there it is hard to keep track, and vandalism is hardly unlikely. Hell, he didn't even mention the dui's, the drugs, or the other problems with partying. The problem with UM isn't that someone is speaking openly about the problems associated with the football team --- it is the problems associated with the football team. I think we are on the road to curing them, but pretending that they never happened is certainly not the way to do it.

In a nutshell; no, the statement is certainly not legally actionable by anyone because for slander to happen the statement must be false, and it unfortunately is not.

We don't have a problem here at UM. Just put your fingers in your ears and say la la la la la la la if someone suggests otherwise and it will all go away.

 

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

there is the flaw in your thinking, the problem isn't the number that have been charged, the problem is the number of crimes that were committed and swept under the rug so they were never charged, bobby must of had a cleanup team on speed-dial

Really? Can you give me a number on the crimes swept under the rug with football players versus the rest of the population? That is the comparison you should be making. And are we talking about just the University of Montana or should we also look at MSU and other Big Sky schools? Seems you're missing the point. The point is that the focus should not be so narrowly focused. Maybe we should be looking at the entire Montana college system and see where U of M fits into the picture.

17

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

No, that's the number of top acts you've picked up in the alley behind the Mo Club.

She wasnt a top act.......not even close.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

 

[tnt]

How many Griz football players have been convicted of sex assaults, vandalsim and beatings in the last two years?

So who decided you get to start over every 2 years?

 

[GrizPony]

How many in the last ten years? I don't know. And how many convictions campus wide over the last ten years?

 

[mlbowl]

Truth hurts doesn't it.

I might agree with you if the UofM had football players beating up our basketball players in bar room brawls.

 

[br fan]

quote from NY Times story on Jordan Johnson's upcoming trial:

“We’ve had sex assaults, vandalism, beatings by football players,” said Pat Williams, a former congressman and a member of the Montana Board of Regents. “The university has recruited thugs for its football team, and this thuggery has got to stop.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/us/rape-trial-of-jordan-johnson-starts-friday.html?_r=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If this was a quote from a year ago I really don't really have a problem with it. If it is a current quote, I don't a have a problem with it if he feels the football team still has problems that are not being adequately addressed by the administration. But if he feels the current administration is taking the steps to correct what he feels are concerns, I have to question his motives for stating what he did when he did it.

 

[Grisly Fan]

I agree that the comment was incendiary, but how was it false? There definitely have been proven cases of rape and beatings. I don't recall the vandalism, but there it is hard to keep track, and vandalism is hardly unlikely. Hell, he didn't even mention the dui's, the drugs, or the other problems with partying. The problem with UM isn't that someone is speaking openly about the problems associated with the football team --- it is the problems associated with the football team. I think we are on the road to curing them, but pretending that they never happened is certainly not the way to do it.

In a nutshell; no, the statement is certainly not legally actionable by anyone because for slander to happen the statement must be false, and it unfortunately is not.

We don't have a problem here at UM. Just put your fingers in your ears and say la la la la la la la if someone suggests otherwise and it will all go away.

Oh so you are saying the solution to the acknowledged problems of the past is for Pat Williams to give slanderous interviews to the New York Times. Huh, funny thing is I thought it would be personnel changes, policies, training and stuff like that, you know the kind of stuff that has been going on for some time now. Glad that PW mentioned those things.

 

[Jerry Punch]

Tell me why the article is wrong. Pat Williams bloviating is about as reliable as Dave Paoli's bloviating. But at the end of the day, did the article miss something or overstate something that happened in Missoula?

 

[mlbowl]

Tell me why the article is wrong. Pat Williams bloviating is about as reliable as Dave Paoli's bloviating. But at the end of the day, did the article miss something or overstate something that happened in Missoula?

In other words, you believe that JJ is guilty. He clearly stated "sex assaults"...plural - more than 1 in number.

 

[GrizSpartan]

Your words are spot on! Thanks.

I know it goes against your passive-aggressive natures, but have you guys ever thought of complaining to the source, instead of posting your rants on an anonymous message board? I know it’s hard to believe, but the BOR isn’t some untouchable entity out there in lala land. Their contact information is easily accessible.

It’s like the Gwen Florio issue. If you don’t like it, grow a pair, and pick up the phone.

If you guys are that passionate about the Griz, have the stones to express your opinion to those who affect the outcome.

 

[Jerry Punch]

Tell me why the article is wrong. Pat Williams bloviating is about as reliable as Dave Paoli's bloviating. But at the end of the day, did the article miss something or overstate something that happened in Missoula?

In other words, you believe that JJ is guilty. He clearly stated "sex assaults"...plural - more than 1 in number.

1) Gang rape that Jim Foley wanted referred to as something different than what it was
2) Beau Donaldson, whom everybody including Beau knows was guilty and deserved his sentence except for his attorney.

The handling of the JJ defense by Paoli is sketchy at best and irresponsible and morally reprehensible at worst.

 

[GrizSpartan]

Slanderous??? Haven't UM players been sentenced for sexual assaults, thievery, and beatings? William's words that UM football has "recruited thugs" can be supported by facts. Might as well face the truth. Should it stop? You bet!!! I hope this is the end of it and a new day is coming.

I agree that the comment was incendiary, but how was it false? There definitely have been proven cases of rape and beatings. I don't recall the vandalism, but there it is hard to keep track, and vandalism is hardly unlikely. Hell, he didn't even mention the dui's, the drugs, or the other problems with partying. The problem with UM isn't that someone is speaking openly about the problems associated with the football team --- it is the problems associated with the football team. I think we are on the road to curing them, but pretending that they never happened is certainly not the way to do it.

In a nutshell; no, the statement is certainly not legally actionable by anyone because for slander to happen the statement must be false, and it unfortunately is not.

We don't have a problem here at UM. Just put your fingers in your ears and say la la la la la la la if someone suggests otherwise and it will all go away.

Oh so you are saying the solution to the acknowledged problems of the past is for Pat Williams to give slanderous interviews to the New York Times. Huh, funny thing is I thought it would be personnel changes, policies, training and stuff like that, you know the kind of stuff that has been going on for some time now. Glad that PW mentioned those things.

 

[mlbowl]

Tell me why the article is wrong. Pat Williams bloviating is about as reliable as Dave Paoli's bloviating. But at the end of the day, did the article miss something or overstate something that happened in Missoula?

In other words, you believe that JJ is guilty. He clearly stated "sex assaults"...plural - more than 1 in number.

1) Gang rape that Jim Foley wanted referred to as something different than what it was
2) Beau Donaldson, whom everybody including Beau knows was guilty and deserved his sentence except for his attorney.

The handling of the JJ defense by Paoli is sketchy at best and irresponsible and morally reprehensible at worst.

Who was charged in this "gang rape"? Please provide a link.

 

[Grisly Fan]

1) Gang rape that Jim Foley wanted referred to as something different than what it was

Jay-sus, you must be one of the stupidiest fuggers on this forum. It wasn't rape and in your pea sized brain you know it. Allegations were made but not prosecuted by the police and dismissed in honor court. Maybe need to see it on Judge Judy for you to understand it?

 

[grizdax]

He can definitely pack his bags and get the hell out of my state. He is a joke.

 

[mlbowl]

Slanderous??? Haven't UM players been sentenced for sexual assaults

[/quote]

Name all these "players" that have been sentenced for sexual assault. I know of one.

 

[NativeGriz]

Pat Williams' statements are incredibly rediculous.
As others have noted: even if comments were remotely true, it is wrong for a BOR member to make such a public statement. Unbelievable poor judgement. It makes me think the guy is suffering from some sort of mental health and yes I am serious. And to think this is the guy Royce Engstrom was listening to.