[BJWilliams]

I am going to defer to shorty or SJ on this one because I think you are missing the point

[Purple Haize]

So with that we are good with him coming onto our campus and if he messes up he is gone. That makes no sense. Why bring him in? Has he come to Christ and ready to change his life? Have not read that on this board. He is coming to play FB period and keep his head down for a year. Ask some Marshall folks about him I did and wow. Go on line and look up the arrest records. Remember Paul became a Christ follower and changed his ways before he was in the fold and even then the early church was not sure about him. Not the other way around. So my last point ,if and as my friends at Marshall say WHEN he is in trouble again we are all good with that. I hope he is a FCS first team All America and LU is crowned national champs. But what does it profit if we win the whole thing and loose our soul. How about that for getting all holy.

Closed minded and judge mental. Can we only buy milk from Christian cows? What about the companies that we are paying millions to for construction? Or let's make it more simple: People say, rightly or wrongly, that the only reason this kid is getting in school is because he's a football player. My question to that is: would we let this kid into school if he WASN'T a football player? I would hope so.

[BJWilliams]

I don't say this often but thank you PH...well said

[Sly Fox]

Keep in mind that he likely would have had numerous programs willing to overlook his indiscretions in order to get him to play tailback for them. But he intentionally sought out us because he wanted to turn his life around. That sounds like someone who is repentent. But then again, this is all third hand. Your skepticism is natural and likely felt by many in our circles. Let's just hope Kevin has had a Road to Damascus type of experience.

[SuperJon]

Liberty is not a school that requires you to be a Christian to enroll. Therefore, your entire argument falls flat.

[R i]

The kid sought out Liberty, and in your opinion "huntandfish" we should say, no you are a sinner. Go away. Thats so lame man. If we were out there bringing in kids with a past record more often than not, I could see your point. But Gill has created a very nice balance and I am sure Kevin will be givne every chance to succeed.

I didnt like it at first, but when I heard Kevin was seeking us out it changed my opinion.

[Yacht Rock]

At the end of the day we need to ask the question: Is this the best place for Grooms to find the change he needs for the rest of his life?

Considering how many times he will be presented with the message that a relationship with Christ is the answer to some of his challenges, I would say yes, bring him here.

Should there be consequences for his past? Sure. Sounds like he is dealing with them now. He has to miss an entire year on the field. It also sounds like there will be consequences if he pulls shenanigans at Liberty.

Also, I would step out on a limb and say "guess what, we're all sinners." You, me, Grooms. It would be frustrating if he didn't have to deal with any consequences for his transgressions but he is and perhaps he came to Liberty in an attempt to get right with the Lord while still pursuing his on field goals. If this dude is trying to change his life, he's heading in a good direction. Time will tell but Jesus gave me the benefit of the doubt when I was knee deep in sin so I'm perfectly fine with Grooms.

[huntandfish]

Just watch ESPN tonight Bet Missouri wish they would have said no. We are talking about 3 arrest in 16 months. This is almost getting crazy can't believe that we will let just anyone in to the community. It is a community. This the question you have to ask are you willing to bet your reputation as a school on this guy? And as an admin staff are you willing to put the students esp female students in this situation? Guess what there are no do overs and well at least we tried. LU was never intend to be a seeker school it was built to train believers and yes not all are in the fold I understand that but we have to look at the charter of the school and protect it. I still would love to here this young man say he came to Christ and if he never plays again he's there to change and be a productive part of the community.

[BJWilliams]

You still don't get it huntandfish...

[SuperJon]

It's sad when BJ is telling someone they don't get it and he's actually right.

[huntandfish]

Please explain it I'm really trying to. Or maybe you don't get it. Still would you put your job and the schools names on the line for this guy? It is a simple question and the way you answer really does matter.

[BJWilliams]

It is sad Jon...because me being right is about as rare as...well take your pick. it doesn't happen often...

[thepostman]

He has to sit out a year. During that year he has an amazing opportunity to grow as a man from some great people that Liberty has both on staff and on the faculty. It his chance to really grow up. If he screws up, he is gone. Simple as that.

I don't understand why it is so hard to understand.

[Cider Jim]

LU was never intend to be a seeker school...

With all due respect, I think the late Jerry Falwell, Sr. would disagree with you. "Training Champions for Christ" has been our motto for as long as I can remember, and you have to get them here first before you can "train" them.

[huntandfish]

Well as a old guy that loves the school and what it stands for and the fact that it is different . I hope you guys are right but just like most youngest you still did not answer the question. would you be willing to risk it all on this guy? Just simply answer the question.

[huntandfish]

Cider Jim so you are so LU started as a school to bring the unsaved in first and then train them. If so somebody on Liberty Mtn needs to do some LU history training.

[Sly Fox]

The only risk is that he physically hurts somebody. Otherwise their is no reputational risk whatsoever. I'd rather LU not be a holy huddle but a light to draw in those who are lost.

[huntandfish]

People answer the question yes or no are we willing to risk it all on this kid?

[huntandfish]

We did do it 20 yrs ago as I said my room mate served time in PRISON. But he was a changed man so that not the point. I have yet to hear him say that is why he's coming. Well going to work out its been fun and it's OK to disagree. I hope you are right but if you are wrong we all loose.

[thepostman]

People answer the question yes or no are we willing to risk it all on this kid?

what is the risk?

[BJWilliams]

I believe his feeling is that if he screws up again (or gets arrested or something) at any point in the next two years, the school's reputation is down the toilet...its either all or nothing

[Purple Haize]

People answer the question yes or no are we willing to risk it all on this kid?

I disagree with the premise of the question. We are not 'risking it all' to bring this kid in. So I can't answer yes or no

Yes we are a community. I just don't think its a gated community

[SuperJon]

Here's the thing: if Grooms leaves Marshall and goes back to Florida he has no chance. He's in prison within two years. There's absolutely no hope of a future for him there.

If he comes to Liberty, he at least has a shot to turn his life around. There's no way to tell if it'll happen in his two years here or not, but what is guaranteed is that he will hear things that will plant a seed inside of his soul for the rest of his life.

Our role as Christians is to give someone a shot. It's to at least shine a little bit of hope into their life. What they do with that shot and that hope is up to them, but we are commanded to a least try. If they refuse it, we shake the dust off our feet and move on.

A better question, and one I think is worth debating, is whether or not we institute a program-wide policy stating if a player comes to us after legal trouble at another school, he's required to sit out a year before playing. I know that will turn some people away, but it's something worth taking a step back and considering.

[R i]

We are risking very very little. You keeps asking if we are willing to risk everything. The coach did risk everything a few years ago when he let a convicted felon play.

This coach is risking nothing by letting this kid go to school for a year and see if he straightens out.

Fish must not be biting. When is hunting season ?

Asa. Smh. I didnt follow the situation all the way through. Were there aplogies for the "youll be sorry for questioning us once all the details come out " ?

[Yacht Rock]

Here's the thing. Aside from the fact that this is relatively low risk for LU, I'll let Jesus answer your question.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:12, 13 NKJV)

Point is, even if this kid falls flat on his face, LU still did the right thing.