Posted on 10/27/2023 2:01:38 AM PDT by Libloather
Northwestern State University canceled the remainder of its football season Thursday and announced the retirement of head coach Brad Laird in response to the shooting death of one of its players earlier this month.
The university announced the decision, citing concern for the "mental health and well-being" of its student-athletes after the Oct. 12 death of defensive back Ronnie Caldwell.
"Ronnie was a beloved member of our community, and we miss him dearly," NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones said in a statement provided by the school.
"While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we've since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep. Now it is in the best interest of our players, coaches and staff to pause and to take this time to mourn, to heal and to support Ronnie's family."
There were four games remaining on the team's schedule.
Head coach Brad Laird also announced his decision to step down after six seasons.
"Due to the loss of Ronnie and the emotional burden it has caused me, I don't feel I can give my all to these players or this program," Laird said. "Any coach will tell you that their players become like family, so the loss of Ronnie was like losing a son. I love this program and this university, and I know it will persevere and move forward with the competitive spirit that is at the core of our DNA."
The Natchitoches Police Department responded to reports of gunshots in the area of University Parkway at around 1 a.m. Oct. 12. Once there, they discovered 21-year-old Ronnie Caldwell with several gunshot wounds.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
What ever happened to “the show must go on” in this country?
Deliberately being purged of masculinity (not that football is a sine qua non sacrament thereof—it’s not).
Climate change, again.
::shakes fist::
Wow...we could use a Great Reset along those lines!!
We have become a nation of emotion driven, virtue signaling wimps.
Just think; if all colleges dropped football, the NFL would have to start its own minor league system. And colleges would have to focus on education. A major shock to the system.
I can agree with that.
One need not look far to see how awful many players are now as another example.
I found about 6 others fast….
https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2016/12/17/joe-mixon-video-oklahoma-newday.cnn
Where I worked, a student with a great scholarship was caught selling loco weed, and kicked out. He lost his scholarship and messed up his life because ‘school’ was not his priority
Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Never heard of this school. It’s far away from “Chocolate City” so doubt that drug lords are involved, but you never know.
Fox reportage is a joke. No mention of location. Oh, county name is somewhat of a hint.
It’s a pretty sleepy little southern town.
“While our instinct was to return to the field of play following his death, we’ve since learned that the hurt on our team was too deep.”
Snowflakes. They should have bucked up and dedicated the next game to the dead guy. Abandoning the season and hiding in the corner to cry is not the way to handle it.
I wouldn’t hire Brad Laird if he gave up on his team when they needed him the most.
Gang-related?
“Was the coach somehow promoting violence?”
The coach is white while the school president is black, the player that got shot is black, the guy who shot him is black...
Obviously the coach is guilty of being white.
Southwestern La. became La.-Lafayette
Northeastern La. became La/=Monroe -
Southeastern La. did suspend football for a few years — my understanding is that the decision was not entirely theirs.
Northwestern St. of La. - I agree - they’ll have a tough time rebuilding the program.
HAVE ALL THE BARBERS GONE ON STRIKE????
I AM REALLY TIRED OF THE MOPS ON THESE CHILDREN’S HEADS.
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