Words cannot describe how overjoyed I was when I learned the news that C.J. Spiller would be remaining at Clemson for his senior football season. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Spiller is one of the best and most exciting players to ever put on a Tigers uniform and one of the most fun to watch in all of college football. He's a superstar that's loaded with talent, skill and ability. He is a fiery competitor that gives his all on the field. However, there is one thing about Spiller that appeals to me equally as much: He's got class.
There are many talented players on the college and pro levels today who care nothing about being a role model or setting a good example. These athletes only care about themselves, their statistics, their fame and money. Having such a selfish and arrogant attitude is usually detrimental to both the player and the team that they play for but their behavior is tolerated because of their abilities. Sometimes, it seems that the media wants to promote these very players and puts the spotlight on them, which to me is a kind of endorsement and sends the wrong message to our youth. It's a sad state of affairs that so many of football's great athletes are selfish egomaniacs or thugs but yet their on-field performance is the measure by which they are judged.
Back to Spiller. The reason that I say he has class is not simply because he elected to stay for his senior season. Class, to me, is defined by the reasons he was motivated to stay. Spiller mentioned previous to his press conference that he desires to be an example for his little sister and get his degree. Then at the press conference announcing his decision, he mentioned that he also wants to set an example to both the younger players and future players on the team by getting his degree. C.J. was more concerned with having regret for not accomplishing his goals that he set when he came to Clemson than he was with signing a contract this spring for millions of dollars. Maybe class is not the best word. Perhaps character is.
There are many talented players on the college and pro levels today who care nothing about being a role model or setting a good example. These athletes only care about themselves, their statistics, their fame and money. Having such a selfish and arrogant attitude is usually detrimental to both the player and the team that they play for but their behavior is tolerated because of their abilities. Sometimes, it seems that the media wants to promote these very players and puts the spotlight on them, which to me is a kind of endorsement and sends the wrong message to our youth. It's a sad state of affairs that so many of football's great athletes are selfish egomaniacs or thugs but yet their on-field performance is the measure by which they are judged.
Back to Spiller. The reason that I say he has class is not simply because he elected to stay for his senior season. Class, to me, is defined by the reasons he was motivated to stay. Spiller mentioned previous to his press conference that he desires to be an example for his little sister and get his degree. Then at the press conference announcing his decision, he mentioned that he also wants to set an example to both the younger players and future players on the team by getting his degree. C.J. was more concerned with having regret for not accomplishing his goals that he set when he came to Clemson than he was with signing a contract this spring for millions of dollars. Maybe class is not the best word. Perhaps character is.
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