Ray Ray rift exposes ugly underbelly
When it comes to the Ray Ray McElrathbey story, Clemson's ham-handed football factory fumbled this story from start to finish.
It was only through the generosity of good people and the power of the press that the third-string running back's story will have a happy ending.
McElrathbey, if you recall, was the Clemson player whose heartwarming personal story brought the Tigers the kind of positive, national publicity you just can't buy, at any price.
It all started back in 2006 when the Atlanta native took in his younger brother, Fahmarr, because their mother was addicted to drugs and couldn't provide a decent place for the child to live.
When his story hit the papers, it was obvious that the school's coaching staff was not prepared to handle the situation.
When people came forward to help, Clemson handed the problem off to the Atlantic Coast Conference office, which was equally inept at recognizing a golden public relations opportunity.
As the media scrutiny intensified, they finally came up with a solution that allowed donations to flow into a trust fund for Fahmarr. Meanwhile, the school relished all the feel-good stories that followed.
Through it all, Ray Ray represented his university favorably from coast to coast. He even appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
But what happened next is part of the ugly underbelly of college football most fans never see, or want to see.
Not a nobody
Every year, coaches call marginal or injured players into their offices and tell them it's over. Their scholarships are not being renewed. Hit the road.
Most people still don't understand that athletic scholarships are not guaranteed for four years. They're actually reviewed and renewed year to year.
Most kids on the bubble are simply run off by assistant coaches who know how to make their lives a living hell. Usually, they are nobodies who quit, transfer or disappear without anybody taking notice.
Somebody, however, forgot to tell Clemson coach Tommy Bowden that Ray Ray McElrathbey was not a nobody whose fate could be traded for a better player to be named later.
When word of Ray Ray's dismissal got out, it was front-page news and the backlash seemingly caught the Clemson football staff by surprise.
The real loser
McElrathbey's days as a Clemson football player are over, but he will graduate in August. He also has been offered a graduate assistant position for next year.
Is that enough? Maybe.
The McElrathbey boys will be fine. Ray Ray will earn his degree and Fahmarr has a healthy trust fund to help him along in life.
The real loser is Clemson.
How could they not see this coming? Why didn't somebody step up and say, "you know, this might not look so good?"
That's because it looks like what it is — college football programs use players until they are of no use to them anymore. Then, when nobody's looking, they kick them to the curb.
Only difference, this time everybody's looking.
Reach Ken Burger at 937-5598 or kburger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 27 comment(s)
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Posted by JRob on March 13, 2008 at 1:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Give it up Ken. I know you like these Oprah-type stories but Ray (I refuse to call him Ray Ray) will be fine.
Posted by prosperous_hb on March 13, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Darn, he hit the nail on the head. Most universities don't care about these kids. I know of one example first hand, but I'll stayed hushed on that one. Yep, I think Ray Ray will be fine.
Posted by Chucktown1 on March 13, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Every year, coaches call marginal or injured players into their offices and tell them it's over. Their scholarships are not being renewed. Hit the road."
Are you implying that this transpired at Clemson regarding Ray Ray? As a journalist, I am surprised that you would not seek out the facts . . .
"While James Davis was not misquoted by the writer in the Charleston story, James did not portray an accurate picture of our scholarship commitment to Ray Ray from a financial standpoint. When the coaches met with Ray Ray, it was made clear to him that if he decided to remain at Clemson, his scholarship would be provided. That includes a commitment from me that we would give him a graduate assistant position within the Clemson Athletic Department after he graduated. Tim Bourret sent out a statement to this effect on Sunday. Perhaps that didn't make the Charleston paper.
From a football standpoint, coaches met with Ray Ray and made it clear to him that he had four talented running backs ahead of him this fall. We have two of the top running backs in our program's history currently on the roster and two of the Top 10 running back signees in the nation are coming to Clemson this fall. If his future goals involves playing professional football, he needs to get on the field. If he is to get on the field, he needs to transfer to another program.
But, he has the option to stay here and have his schooling paid for through the next two years."
Terry Don Phillips
108 Jervey Athletic Center
864-656-1935
It sounds to me after reading TDP's statement, that Clemson has Ray Ray's best interests at heart.
Posted by theronce on March 13, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Baloney. There is no way that the staff did not know that the decision would be questioned. These are not the stumbling idiots that you imply. It was a sound decision for the program at no harm at all to RayRay or his brother. What makes you think that you, the press, was the mover and shaker in the story, at the beginning or now. The good people around him in the beginning were the ones who recognized the need, proposed the solution, and saw it through. The press just rode the wave, which secondarily helped to contribute to the trust fund. Now, the same thing is happening at the other end. No one has been harmed. From my perspective, there is no loser here, except the press which tries to claim credit where little is due and assign blame where none is warranted. The hypocracy of the press is so transparent. Be content to ride the wave.
Posted by ashleyriver on March 13, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Its beginning to get so easy to see through the thin veneer of bias at the P&C....Mr.Burger brings the myopic rival, SEC dismissal of the entire affair to front page (sports) attention.
Isn't it odd there was no front page editorial when Steve Spurrier dismissed 4 scholarship football players at usc almost immediately after his arrival on campus (is he actually ON campus during the offseason??).
Whatever Mr.Burger----Clemson University has assisted and strongly supported Mr.McElrathbey and very plainly will continue to do so into the future. It is unfortunate circumstances arose that his injuries and lengthy recovery coupled with the steady progress of recruitment of players at his position made it necessary to alter his scholarship from on-field activity to graduate assistant---but the free books and tuition remains along with a paying job.
...Mr.Burger---how about doing an investigative report about non-renewal of athletic scholarships and including your alma mater--UGa--in the story so we can get a accurate assesment/comparison of the situation and not just your onesided view?????
Perhaps this is just the P&C's feeble effort to create controversy after its other sports editorialist wrote a positive piece about the same topic just the other day.
Posted by vmid on March 13, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The press always distorts a story or simply tell it in "soap opera" terms to sell the papers or have people listen to them. Clemson has never gotten positive press from the Charleston Post, except exposing the Ray Ray story two years ago and that was all about him, not the university. I am really surprised at you, Ken Berger, I always thought you were more partial to Clemson and I take this as being strickly your opionion. I wish you guys would state this at the end of your stories such as "my two cents worth" because that is exactly what it is.
Posted by clemtiger10 on March 13, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is some of the worse journalism that I have read in a long time. Get your facts straight before you write an article.
Posted by Localjoe on March 13, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr Burger- I've read your columns for years with great admiration for your getting the gist of the reality of whatever situation arrises in sport. Unfortunately, you missed the boat on this one. Ray has been provided with more support than any average player in the NCAA...including being offered a paid grad assistant position... Most players who can't cut the mustard are sent packing with no recourse... I think you should pen a column taking that perspective into account instead of painting Ray as some sort of victim.
Posted by dmwallac on March 13, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Burger, you sure love to take a swipe at Clemson. "Ham-handed football factory"??? Is "football factory" really how you'd describe Tommy Bowden's program? He runs a clean program, is loyal to a fault (see Will Proctor), never wins his conference, never plays in a BCS bowl... FOOTBALL FACTORY???
This is the classic example of why Burger, who has proven time and time again to be a very good WRITER, is such a poor JOURNALIST. What an over-emotional and bitterly biased piece devoid of factual basis. Clemson did a great deal for Ray Ray, as did Clemson boosters. All the while the coaching staff surely knew what his playing potential would be. How self-serving and predictable that you ignore that while giving credit to the press. And your incorrect fantasy of how it came to be that Ray Ray was dismissed has already been exposed here, although anyone who cares about the story already knows how badly you missed the mark on that.
Credit the press, though, for keeping this novelist on the sports page in a small market all these years...
Posted by coachken on March 13, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Typical Ken Burger, once again he is stirring the pot. That is the only job he excells at. Hail to the King of 20/20 hindsight. It is no wonder that the talent level at the P&C is soooooooo low with him as a mentor. Just imagine what the underbelly at the P&C looks like. Ray had potential but he also had a lot of problems.
Two excerpts from the P&C articles on Ray.
"After he was suspended for four spring practices for falling behind academically, McElrathbey impressed at tailback. He underwent minor knee surgery recently but is expected to be available when practice begins today."
= = = = = = = =
Aug 14
It might seem as if I don't care or I have a nonchalant attitude," he said.
"I don't try to bother myself with things that I feel are minor. If I get an F on a test, it's minor. It's not the first one I get, and it might not be the last one. I've had plenty of setbacks before.
"I just put on my earphones and tune it out."
Three days later he blows out his knee during a non contact drill.
He sat out last year with rehabilitating the knee injury, that must have been a blessing. How do you go from “Falling Behind Academically” during his second year to getting a Sociology Degree in three years? I believe Mrs. Rob Spence was helping with brother Farmar, someone must have also been helping Ray with the books. Maybe, there could have been another feel good story, but not from the Burger King.
Where did Clemson renege on their end of the deal?
Thanx for your insite Burger King
Posted by DixieTiger on March 13, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a Clemson student, give me a break. Clemson University and Clemson fans have gone above and beyond helping the McElrathbeys. This article is a slap in the face to the Clemson University Atheletic Department and every person who gave money for Fahmarr's trust fund. Get your facts straight and don't sensationalize.
Posted by tigerfanatl on March 13, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If Ray Ray hadn't been on Oprah with the heartwarming story, him getting cut would never have received this type of coverage.
It's a sad fact in the competitive collegiate sports world that sometimes fourth-stringers get cut. Not all of them are offered jobs at the university in order to complete their degree without having to pay out of pocket.
What Ray Ray has done for his brother is incredibly noble and completely worthy of the positive attention it garnered him and Clemson.
I think I speak for all us when I say I hope there's not a Ray Ray article in the Friday P&C...I think it's been covered well enough in the past four days.
Got beaten dead horse?
Posted by dereksmith on March 13, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've had it with this idiot. I'M CANCELING MY SUBSCRIPTION TODAY!
Posted by casualkent on March 13, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Burger -
I recommend you getting a tattoo on your rear-end that reads "insert head hear." That would give you a good glimpse of the underbelly of the P&C. How can they print this garbage?
Posted by LowCountryRooster on March 13, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sports Illustrated has it all wrong also..
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/wr...
Posted by ashleyriver on March 13, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And for verification of exactly what I posted---we have a gamecock fan offering defense of Burger's asinine commentary.......tell us Lowcountry Rooster:Where was the moral outrage when your coach told a bunch of gamecock scholarship football players their scholarships wouldn't be renewed???? Did Coach Spurrier give these folks room, board, books, tuition, and a paying job after the non-renewal of their scholarships??
Again, its little more than a rivals point of view from both Mr.Burger and LowCountryRooster. We should look at it as nothing more than a poorly veiled attempt to discredit a football program that graduates its players, makes sure the academics are attended to and doesn't have player after player arrested...... and gamecock fans would certainly be familiar with the last item in that list
Posted by LowCountryRooster on March 13, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL! I guess the Sports Illustrated writer is also a Gamecock fan, and he and Burger conspired on how to smack down Clemson. Coach Spurrier had the balls to lay it down plain and simple with no sugarcoating to the guys who were not maintaining their grades and/or not showing a strong commitment to the football program. In Ray Ray's case, he did well with grades and had a very strong commitment to the program, yet he's told he's not talented enough to compete at his position, therefore we're revoking your scholarship. The reality is that Rev Bowden got greedy and oversigned at the RB position, and Ray Ray is the goat when the dust settled
You guys know good and well that the G.A. position offered to Ray Ray is nothing more than a P.R. ploy. (reactive sugarcoating to the negative media explosion) As soon as you calm down, you'll realize the truth.
Posted by tth2001 on March 13, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys have got to be kidding me. When Spurrier revoked the scholarships of USC athletes, it was on the front page of every sports page in the State. Furthermore, SC high school coaches threatened to boycott sending their kids to USC and they even tried to get the state high school championship games moved to Clemson. The media bias in SC is severely tilted towards Clemson. Every time SOS suspends a player for a practice it is a headline in the newspaper. Arrests make ESPN.com. When something happens in Clemson, it stays in Clemson. Cortney Vincent's DUI arrest didn't hit the paper until 5 days after it happened. Bowden simply refused to comment on it for a month much like he is doing in this situation. Eventually, Vincent was held out of 1 series as punishment for a DUI! USC would have gotten raked through the coals for doing that.
Posted by waterbug on March 13, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like a futile attempt at denial chuccktown!!!!!!
Posted by mstonyamc on March 13, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure these guys are expendable and it is not fair. When the coaches sign them they promise the world. I have heard it said that Ray Ray has struggled academically and been late to team meetings, if that were so how did he graduate with honors in three years? How did he maintain the dicipline that it takes to raise his brother make the honor roll and stay out trouble in spite of the rate of failure of kids his age with a lot less responsibility? Why weren’t his parents notified if there was a problem he also has Guardian why weren’t they notified? This whole thing stinks if you ask me. I also hate when I hear that he got a free education. When you say free do you only mean monetarily or did you think of sacrafice and committment and the time that it takes to maintain a sports scholarship? And what about all of the free publicity that Clemson gained as a result his unfortunate family situation and the presence of mind that he used to help resolve it while still remaining loyal to Clemson as a team. I spoke to Ray Ray and he was very proud to be a Clemson Football player his family was also proud of the fact that he played for Clemson. Although this is tough for Ray, he is such a remarkable young man and he does not know the meaning of the word I can’t he will somehow turn this situation into a positive one, trust me this is not the last you’ll hear from him . I wonder if his family is still so proud of Clemson? Would you be?
Posted by waterbug on March 13, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MstonyAMC We should ask Chucktown that question. He seems to know all the answers. ( or B_.
Posted by waterbug on March 13, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Theronce i'm certainly glad you added from your perspective to your comment. TX.
Posted by floppyearKYLE68 on March 13, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gamecock Nation must be proud of such a journalist that wuld right stories like these. Burger is a hero among the Columbia and Sumter trailer parks and is reveled in our history. I may not be an intelligent person but I know Mr. Burger is and if he rights it then it must be 100% truth. Just like when Coach Spirrierr told us Gamecocks that we wuold never lose to Clemson again. After we lost last Novimber he said he had his fingers crossed so it really didn't count. Keep up the strong work Burger, you make losers feel so much better about themselves.
Posted by ashleyriver on March 13, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mstonyamc---"Were his parents notified there was a problem?"----No offense, but simply asking this question means you don't have a firm grip on the situation.
And everyone loves it when gamecock fans speak of reality----the fact that your coaches have recruited thugs, felons, and miscreants who's parade of arrests and crimes regularly fill the media is in NO WAY indicative that Clemson has done the same nor conspired with local, county, and state law enforcement to "cover up" these mythical transgressions...and btw, I read in greenvilleonline either the day after or 2 days after C.Vincent's arrest of the incident. As Clemson's coaching staff indicated, Vincent claimed innocence, had passed the field sobriety tests but had declined the breathalyzer (sp).....Bowden has indicated on at least 2 occasions that permanent dismissal from the team is not out of the question pending the outcome of his trial.
And there still has been no response from you folks on whether or not Coach Spurrier simply told those former usc student/athletes their scholarship would not be renewed or if the Athletic Dept. actively helped them maintain their scholarships through different avenues. Clemson and Terry Don Phillips have repeatedly advised there is a procedure which is followed in all matters of this ilk and, while unfortunately James Davis prematurely broke the news, the procedure was followed and, because of the unusual circumstances of McElrathbey's situation, a press release was issued advising of the GA scholarship which includes room, board, tuition, books and a paying job. For anyone to intimate Clemson has somehow wronged Ray signifies that person either has an axe to grind or simply doesn't understand how the system of renewing football scholarships---it ain't guaranteed.
If this is the worst rivals can say about Clemson, then every Clemson fan should feel good.
Posted by mdtpace on March 13, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey floppyearKYLE68k, you got one thing right, you aren't an intelligent person. Is this the first time you have had someone read you one of Berger's columns? He has trashed SC for years and only recently had anything nice to say. Meanwhile that douchebag Sappakoff llllllooooooovvvvvveeeeessss Clempsun and is as biased as any "journalist" I have ever encountered. Interesting you would rag on Columbia and Sumter. Have you been to Pickens County? It's real nice and has more than a few trailer homes. Not many dentists, but then again, they would go out of business pretty quickly. Funny, no one really commented on the Sappakoff article, but the Taters are out in full force today. Where is bigdouche1? He must still be out picking up trash on the side of I26.
Posted by CHRISJIII on March 13, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a sad but true fact. College athletic programs use these kids for as long as they are winning and bringing in the money that goes to pay for the high salaries of the head coaches. When the student athlete is no longer that money generating engine that they love sooo much then it's hit the bricks!!!! Student athletes get the shaft everyday because the coaches know that they are easily replaced.
Posted by Nonsense on March 14, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a person who has sons who have friends that have been in Clemson's program, there are a lot of dirty things that go on around there that never make the papers, and there's a lot of Clemson players who do things like break the law and smoke weed and get drunk (underage)- yet there must be some unwritten agreement between the Pickens County Police to look the other way. They are so far back in the sticks that nobody really knows some of the stuff that goes on - and if Tommy Bowden is such a good Christian guy, how come every other word out of his mouth on the sidelines is taking the Lord's name in vain? GD this and GD that. The cameras tell the truth on that one. Ken had one thing right - Clemson is a big loser.