Hard to feel sorry for Quinn

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April 9, 2007

By Bruce Campbell, Commentary The Enid News and Eagle Mon Apr 09, 2007, 11:40 PM CDT

Item: Former Oklahoma lineman J.D. Quinn said it was “unfair” for him to be dismissed from the OU football team last fall for taking money for hours he didn’t work at a Norman auto dealership.

“All I did was to take cash,” Quinn said. “I didn’t break any laws, and I get kicked off the team, but there’s people on the team that are breaking laws and failing drugs tests and stuff like that, and there’s nobody getting kicked off the team for that type of stuff.”

He said he wasn’t necessarily talking about players on the OU team in the statement.

Sorry, J.D., it’s difficult to feel sorry for you.

A university investigation determined Quinn was paid $8,137.17 for hours he didn’t work. He was aware he was breaking NCAA rules, much less just being dishonest.

I’m sure it was a temptation many college students or even someone in his 50s wouldn’t pass up.

But such actions would get you fired at most places of employment. OU faces possible penalties for his actions. It certainly was an embarrassment for a school that has a long NCAA rap sheet (three probations with sanctions) already.

Taking money is the No. 1 sin in the NCAA’s book. He wasn’t a naive kid in high school who might not have known the rules. His father played college football at TCU. The OU players are made aware of the rules the moment they step on campus.

The NCAA rule book doesn’t cover arrests. That’s up to the coaches. Taking $8,000-plus not entitled to you is a felony in the NCAA book. He should have known that.

That others have gone afoul of the rules or the law doesn’t make Quinn’s sins any less egregious.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy should be commended for getting rid of bad apples in his program. OU coach Bob Stoops acted decisively when Quinn and Rhett Bomar, who was dismissed for the same violation, broke the rules.

Just because bad apples are allowed to stay at some schools, it doesn’t mean OU or OSU has to keep them.

I’m sure Quinn is a nice kid who made a bad mistake. Hopefully, he’s learned his lesson playing for the University of Montana.

Campbell is a News & Eagle sports writer.

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