TONY WASHINGTON
Character schmaracter.
Last week, we posted the story about how Rhodes Scholar and former Florida State All-American Myron Rolle was plummeting in the 2010 NFL Draft despite his many successes in the classroom and on the field.
Meanwhile, offensive tackle Tony Washington of tiny Abilene Christian has been shooting up the draft boards of NFL teams. One scouting website proclaimed “nobody has helped themselves more at the combine” than Washington who is 6-foot-7 and has 35″ arms.
The acclaim and nobody-has-helped-themselves-more accolades come despite the fact that Washington has a bit of a personal issue that EVERY NFL team was aware of:
Bad: Tony Washington is a registered sex offender
Worse: For having sex with a 15-year-old girl
Beyond Worst: Who is his biological sister
Washington’s defense for repeatedly (repeatedly, repeatedly) having sex with his 15-year-old sister? It was “consensual” and “I made a mistake.”
In a completely unrelated side note, Washington was forced to play NAIA and Division II football because he was also too stupid and his grades were too poor to get into any Division I college in America. Apparently, none of this has hurt Washington’s draft status. Despite being an incestuous pedarast, Washington has received tons of positive buzz lately. Here are some quotes: “I really like this kid.” and “has the tools, desire and makeup to be a good tackle in the pros.” People have even been defending Washington in chatrooms.
SportsFanlive.com originally broke the story about Washington being a registered sex offender and his relationship with his sister.
Tags: Abilene Christian, Tony Washington, Tony Washington's sister
April 26, 2010 at 7:58 pm |
Wow!?! This was ignorant and filled with hate.
Washington was convicted and the details of the conviction are accurate. Biological sister. Consensual. You neglect to mention that he was 16 and she was 15. Leaving out that small bit of information suggests that it was recent and may have occurred while he was an adult.
He was recruited by D-1, but the coach was apprised of the above offense and withdrew the offer. Washington basically had to beg for the opportunity at Abilene Christian. This was one Christian school that actually turned the other cheek and gave the kid a chance. According to all reports, he has been a model citizen while in college.
I’m not a proponent of incest, but this offense isn’t nearly as reprehensible as some are making it out to be. Washington wasn’t drafted and I haven’t seen any reports indicating that he has been signed. Yet!
Sports is one of the few bastions where a meritocracy not only lives, but thrives. If he can play, he will play. Considering the state of the NFL where convicted dog fight ring leaders, accused rapists, those convicted of manslaughter via DUI, etc. are allowed to play, it certainly seems like an overreaction to blacklist a player who has had only one offense.