Ex-UK player Hatcher starts over at new program
- Thread starter wildcatman26
- Start date
Really hope Hatch does nothing but good things there, and gets his life and priorities in order.
Talented young man, who I hope doesn't waste it.
Talented young man, who I hope doesn't waste it.
Thanks for the link,, good luck to Hatcher,, he's still young, time to turn it around, and I am not talking about his football career!
Nice article, thanks. I hope he can keep his nose clean, and am really glad he didn't go to Transfer U, I am sure he could have if he wanted to. Maybe a little appreciation to UK for what they did for him.
He can't afford to fail this chance, and there is a huge incentive to succeed-------whether he gets a pro contract or not.
He can't afford to fail this chance, and there is a huge incentive to succeed-------whether he gets a pro contract or not.
One of the great underachievers in recent UK football history, Hatcher needs to decide if he wants to be a football player or a junkie.
I am not a supporter of smoking pot but I am not a fan of kicking kids out of the program who do. UGA certainly has sent their share packing over it, and UK is about the only other SEC school who does anything about it too. I just have a hard time coming to grasp with it getting you booted at some places and its 100% legal in other parts of the country. This isn't punishing Hatcher, he is still going to line up and play this fall and will have a good chance at post season honors, also a good chance of realizing his dream of playing in the NFL, Only one I see getting punished is UK.
It's one thing to smoke pot, I think we're all aware that's pretty prevalent these days. And I'm with you somewhat on the not kicking them off if they use it. To an extent. Hatcher's problem was that he made the pot a priority to the point he was likely a source (hence the quantity he was busted with). For those who say it's not addicting, I think it's pretty evident it can be to a point. Based on his comments in that article, he has to make concours efforts to choose something else over smoking weed. That alone tells me he struggled with it.
if you guys aren't in favor of kicking kids off the team for pot use,, after repeated offences then what would you suggest? Some kids you can run their butts off,, suspend them for a game or two, do about anything to get them to change their behavior and they just will not! So, you would tell them "oh well I give up, go on out there and play!"there comes a time when the kid and his teammates must be shown that there are things that you as a coach/teacher will not tolerate! Jason likely had more chances that we are aware of.
Anyone else thinks the Cards staff are going to smoke at least an ounce each to get over not getting Hatcher.
First I don't know how much pot Hatcher was caught with so I am going with smoking pot. What did it accomplish by kicking him off UK's team? He is still going to play college football, more than likely excell, if he does that he will get his shot at the NFL, which in reality is what he wanted all alone. It only hurt UK, not Hatcher. Smoking pot isn't even illegal in all states, wouldn't even get him a slap on the wrist fine, nothing. But in Kentucky and Georgia, and given most other states, it gets you a record. Just curious, do you think kicking him off the team stopped all pot smoking by UK players? I can tell you that kicking Josh Harvey Clemons off of UGA's team, or the others who have gone that route, hasn't stopped all the pot smoking by UGA players.
Another issue I have with it many of these kids on both our teams come from a culture where smoking pot is an accepted behavior and has been their entire life. They have seen people smoke it everyday and function the next and trying to change 18 years of learned behavior in 6 months isn't easy to do. I don't use it, don't even drink so would make no difference to me personally if it were legal in Georgia.
Do you believe the hardcore users stop because of threat of being kicked? Come on man, they see Hatcher get picked up by another school, by going down not even having to sit a year, what's the treat? Getting kicked of means nothing if you can enroll at another school and start playing right off the bat. If he gets drafted, even less deterrent. You know no one cares that UK and UGA try to discipline their kids, we get called a team of thugs because every little thing, including underage comsumption is front page headlines in the Atlanta paper, but nothing when his charges were dropped. Bottom line, I wish they wouldn't smoke it, I also wish people wouldn't climb behind the wheel of a vehicle after 10 beers, neither of my wishes have been granted.
Hatcher was pulled over in Frankfort with quite a sizeable amount of pot in his possession in his car. He was returning from Louisville (probably from a visit with James Quick). So if he had just failed drug test, that's one thing, and they let those instances slide with some punishment and some game suspensions, which had been the case already with Hatcher. Getting arrested with enough pot in his possession to be considered trafficking in it, kinda broke the camels back.
Well that's a camel of a different color. Didn't know he was a go to guy for pot. I still feel the same about smoking it, and most of the SEC doesn't feel the same about it as UK and UGA.
Call me old fashion or what but the kid seems to be directing the blame where it needs to go, himself. So many have that attitude that they are untouchable and can do what they want without consequances. I hope he grows up for himself but also for his family. Nobody as a youngster dreams of being a drug user or seller. I agree with Grumpy to a point but too many get away without punishment only to get worse in the future.
I don't think he should get away without punishment, but kicking him off the team did very little to punish him. Like I said he is getting to play this year, no sitting out, not having to face SEC quality OL, will most likely gain post season honors for his division and ultimiately get his chance at the NFL either as a mid to late draft pick or an undrafted free agent. Yes he is on probation, yes he is rehabbing, all of which he would have been required to do at UK. Run him at 5 AM until he pukes, do team's laundry, clean toilets with a toothbrush, if he refuses then you have no choice. My point is Hatcher isn't being punished, UK is because they had to dismiss a pretty talented player.
sorry grumpy I usually pretty much agree with your posts but on this subject I think you miss the mark bad. If Hatcher isn't being punished then why don't kids go to these lower level schools right outta high school. The kid is not being rewarded by going to the minor leagues. Also for the good of the team, some rules must be established and enforced, not only concerning drug use but many rules on how to conduct yourself. KY lost a good talent, but unfulfilled talent, the team is better off without an individual who wants to "do it his own way".Most kids or adults would rather be a part of a structured environment where the management is respected and in charge, to rid a team of unruly types is an overall plus.
I think Hatcher's problems are far more serious than getting caught once or even twice smoking pot. We past that point a couple years ago. Hatcher has been punished repeatedly for doing the same thing and yet he kept doing it. It reaches a point of what else can a coach do. I know there has been at least 3 public issues with pot in 3 years including 2 arrests. Those around the program will tell you that has just been the tip of the ice burg with him. He might not be a bad kid but he is clearly rejecting discipline. As a coach you can't have that. I am in favor of kicking a kid off the team for not being in bed at the right time if it is repeated to the point of being a discipline issue.
Imo Jason was a peck bad boy from the git-go! Enough was enough!. UK staff handled his situation the correct way.
If he's had a positive change I think NFL is in his future. Personally wish him well.
If he's had a positive change I think NFL is in his future. Personally wish him well.
Credibility can only come with time for Hatcher. I hope the best for him.
I think you are missing the point. Its not illegal in I think, 2 states? It is still ILLEGAL to possess and smoke mary j. ILLEGAL, just like drinking under age or driving while intoxicated. There are repercussions that need to be felt by the players that decide to break the law. It is what it is, and if he can't learn from his previous mistakes, its his own fault.
Also,, there are team rules that have nothing to do with the law that must be adhered to,, being on time, repping your team and UK in a respectful manner, things such as this that cannot go on with repeated violations. coaches cannot see everything that goes on nor can they expect everyone to be choir boys but order must be kept.
I have quite a bit of sympathy for the dummies that get hooked on illegal drugs and waste their lives (and their loved ones in many cases) spending their resources on it. instead of building a life.
The greedy individuals that take advantage of their weakness not so much.
Of course the legal "drugs" also have their victims, and I had a good friend, very good athlete, popular, great family, a supervisor that our company thought so much of they sent him to three 30 day drying out schools trying to keep him. The third time when he missed work on about the third day they said they couldn't do any more, and he said it must just be in his genes------and went home and shot himself in the head. Which is the final step for a true alcoholic, starts as fun but ends up costing you family, job, self respect and if bad enough your life.
I also lost my second wife to lung cancer, started smoking when it was fashionable in high school long ago and tried but never could quit for long, a very painful way to go.
The greedy individuals that take advantage of their weakness not so much.
Of course the legal "drugs" also have their victims, and I had a good friend, very good athlete, popular, great family, a supervisor that our company thought so much of they sent him to three 30 day drying out schools trying to keep him. The third time when he missed work on about the third day they said they couldn't do any more, and he said it must just be in his genes------and went home and shot himself in the head. Which is the final step for a true alcoholic, starts as fun but ends up costing you family, job, self respect and if bad enough your life.
I also lost my second wife to lung cancer, started smoking when it was fashionable in high school long ago and tried but never could quit for long, a very painful way to go.
I know its illegal, it's also double punishment. Law punishes the kid for the pot, then the school punishes him for the same pot. Law doesn't punish you twice if you caught. Not once have I said he shouldn't have some repercussions for his choices. UK didn't take football away from him by dismissing him, UGA and UK are the only 2 SEC schools who even consider dismissing a kid for pot. You see how serious Bama is about it, fail a test at LSU not a big deal until it reaches double digits, OM welcomed a kid who threated to come back to a club and shoot it up. UK and UGA are not on a level playing field with our other members. We had a kid arrested for having a false ID, made the front page headlines of Atlanta paper, is that a headline offense for a college kid? But when charges were dropped, no mention of it other than a couple of lines in the back of sports page.
Smoking and having pot is illegal in Kentucky and Georgia and there should be consequences if you are caught with it, I just don';t feel there should be 2.
Its a misdemeanor or in some casrs and felony. Some schoos would not allow a student with a felony or serious crime on their record to enroll. I think it should be the same for all schools, but I don't think leniency is the answer when you have an adult breaking the law just to get high. Lessons need to be learned, and until its legal in all states it should be treated as it currently is treated in Kentucky.
Lets hear all about how free we are again. Jay walking is against the law. Tobacco is more harmful than pot. Alcohol is far more harmful than pot. We get to watch ads on TV about constipation from regular use of opioids but a naturally growing weed put here by your creator is evil. Such malarkey.
Punished twice? He was a repeat offender, continually breaking the team rules.....
1. It's illegal (I don't care if the rest of the SEC "ok's" it or not; still illegal)
2. Repeat offender
3. Went from playing SEC football to D2 (although there is nothing wrong with D2 football; some great athletes at that level)
4. It can also be distracting to the team to have a teammate arrested multiple times
5. Distracting to the coaches that they have to keep dealing with it.
I hope he has changed his life habits and gets to the NFL and becomes a long tenured NFL player that speaks aginst the use of illegal drugs.