LSU cornerback Corey Webster was sitting in a chair beneath Tiger Stadium Monday talking to reporters about the Tigers’ upcoming game with the defending Southeastern Conference champions.
“They have what we want,” Webster said.
Webster and the rest of the LSU football team are thirsty for another SEC title, having tasted the sweet nectar of the championship just two years ago.
Many of the players still wear their championship rings proudly. LSU guard Stephen Peterman said he hopes his family buries his ring with him when he dies.
When Georgia won the SEC football title last season, nine players – including four starters – were so elated with their accomplishment, so excited about winning the conference title, so enamored with their victory, that they insulted the entire league and sold their rings on Ebay.
I’m not a materialistic man, but I assure you if I worked my tail off my entire life, had enough talent to play in the SEC and won the championship, I would not even think about selling the representation of that hand work and kinship with my fellow teammates. What do you think would happen if a man sold his wedding ring on Ebay? Does the name Lorena Bobbitt come to mind?
LSU tackle Rodney Reed said it was ridiculous that the Georgia players sold their rings, and Rodney is a smart guy. But it doesn’t take a genius to realize that the Bulldogs are lacking a bit of respect and character.
Among the players that sold their rings are all-everything wideout Fred Gibson, nose tackle Kedric Golston, speedy linebacker Tony Taylor, safety Bruce Thornton and kickoff return man Tim Jennings.
It makes one wonder what winning the SEC title meant to those guys. Peterman said that nobody could ever put a price on his SEC championship ring because it represents everything he’s worked so hard for.
What makes these players so different that they put a price on it, and very quickly? It wasn’t like they waited until they had no affiliation with the school anymore, it only took a matter of months before the championship flavor left their mouths and was sold over the Internet alongside my dad’s old tool box.
Why did they do it? Was it because they assume they will win a few more? Was it because they really don’t care about it? Was it because they needed the money? Who knows.
But what is evident is those nine players disrespected the SEC, disrespected their school and most importantly disrespected their teammates.
When push comes to shove, when they have their backs to the wall, when the game is on the line, what makes anyone think these players care about winning the game?
They are a disgrace to football and should have been kicked off the team.
Note to the Bulldogs: If you want to sell your rings, go play in the WAC.