NCAA Athletes: Wasted Chances

It seems to be a common theme, athletes with a lot of talent, along with a lot of wasted chances. The latest case is Ole Miss shooting guard Marshall Henderson, suspended indefinitely for a failed drug test.  

As noted in a USA Today article, Henderson arrived at Ole Miss with a checkered past, including forgery charges and previously failed drug tests. Henderson has also seen jail time. 

Henderson was expected to step up this year and lead the Ole Miss Men's Basketball team, as said by Coach Andy Kennedy. "Since the season ended we have talked a lot about Marshall taking a greater leadership role with our team," the coach said.

Well, so much for that. When Henderson had the chance to step up, to continue to lead the Ole Miss team back to prominence after a solid NCAA Tournament run, his role on the team is now greatly undefined….if their even is a role for Henderson anymore.

This was Marshall's umpteenth chance, following stints with Utah and South Plains Junior College. Henderson showed great promise his freshman year at Utah, starting 30 of 31 games, second on the team with 11.8 PPG, earning an honorable mention for the All-Mountain West team. Following his Freshman year, Marshall transferred to Texas Tech, and sat out the 2010-2011 season. Following the firing of Tech coach Pat Knight, he transferred again, this time to South Plains. Marshall would lead South Plains to a #1 NJCAA ranking, and was awarded NJCAA Player Of The Year. For his junior season, Marshall transferred again, to Ole Miss. He started 33 of 36 games and averaged a SEC best 20.1 PPG. Throughout his high school and college career, trouble has always followed Marshall.

Before graduating from High School, Marshall was placed on probation for attempting to purchase $800 worth of marijuana with counterfeit money. Marshall would fail a drug test (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine), while on probation, resulting in jail time. Henderson went on to serve 25 days in jail.

So upon this recent incident, how has Marshall Henderson handled himself? He went to social media of course, heading to twitter mentioning how today was going to be an "interesting day". He then went on to call out FOX Sports' Erin Andrews and post an Instagram video where he seemed to not really care at all. Well, if Marshall doesn't care about his future, why on Earth should we?

 Too often we get too caught up in college athletes, almost putting them into a hero status (look at Johnny Manziel and his recent online antics). In the end, these are just college kids who are presented with a fantastic opportunity in front of them. A chance at advancing their careers, yes, but also a free education. Any other college student could only dream of such an opportunity, believe me. I'm personally hoping to go to graduate school within the next year, just adding to my current debt. If these select few don't seem to care or even give a damn about their future, why should we? Why should we defend them? It simply isn't worth the time or the effort.

So, Marshall Henderson, you have a choice here. You can go to rehab, find yourself, grow up, and return and become a leader. Or you can continue to mock on twitter, post videos, and continue to be a selfish child who believes that the world revolves around you. 

Now don't get me wrong, not all college athletes are like this. Most know that their athletic careers will end in college, and take their education seriously. Some, like Myron Rolle, not just succeed, but strive and prosper. But it seems that for the high profile athletes, for every Rolle, there's a Marshall Henderson.

So while you continue to "mock" people Marshall,  Myron Rolle is pursuing medical school. The only person making a mockery here, is you Marshall. Making a mockery of your school, making a mockery of your education, making a mockery of yourself. There's still time left Marshall……... grow up.