UPDATE: Big 12 Commissioner Clears Jerod-Eddie.
By Richard Okelberry, November 30th 2010 - While most of the national sports media has been focusing on the controversies surrounding Cam Newton and the ever constant shadow of another BCS system breakdown, another controversy has been brewing through-out the sports blogosphere. This controversy involves one of the most powerful men in College Football, Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe.
If you have not been following this controversy, it began halfway through the season when Nebraska played Oklahoma State. During the game Eric Martin of Nebraska led with the top of his helmet (Note: this is how the Big 12 Commissioner discribed the infraction) when making an open field hit on Andrew Hudson of OSU.
“Mr. Martin committed a flagrant act of targeting an opponent with the crown of his helmet in violation of NCAA Football Rules,” Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said in a news release. “This dangerous hit is one that we in the football community are trying to remove from the game.” – Husker Extra
The Big 12 Commissioner was then required to review the video of the hit under NCAA rules and properly suspended Eric Martin in the following Nebraska game for committing a Flagrant Foul.
When the larger controversy surrounding the Big 12 Commissioner really started gaining momentum was following the Nebraska vs. Iowa State contest two weeks later.
During this contest, A.J. Klein of Iowa State was clearly seen on video grabbing the helmet and facemask of Rex Burkhead and twisting his head in an obvious attempt to cause Burkhead a serious physical injury. In fact, Burkhead told the media that he did sustain a minor injury from the event. While the refs missed the call during the game and instead penalized a Nebraska player that came to Burkhead’s rescue, most Nebraskans fully believed that the incident would be taken up by the Big 12 Commissioner and a suspension similar to Eric Martin’s would be handed down. Of course a week passed and no suspension came.
Two weeks following the Iowa State game another similar event was caught on video when Nebraska played Texas A&M. During a fumble recovery in the 1st quarter, A&M player Tony Jerod-Eddie was clearly seen on video grabbing the inner thigh of Nebraska player Ben Cotton in a manner consistent with an attempt to damage the sciatic nerve of Ben Cotton. Again, Nebraska fans expected the Big 12 Commissioner to enforce NCAA regulations regarding Uncalled, Flagrant Fouls; but no suspension ever came.
Finally on November 26, Brian Rosenthal of Husker Extra (The Lincoln Journal Star, ) asked Commissioner Beebe about the Jerod-Eddie incident in an interview.
Mr. Rosenthal described the event to the commissioner as a player from A&M “jabbing the testicles” of a Nebraska player. He also asked if, “the play was reviewable, if any punishment was ever considered and whether the Big 12 condones such actions.” Beebe’s first response was,
“Well, first of all, I think if you look at it carefully, it wouldn’t be what you characterized.” – Big 12 Commissioner BeeBe
This first statement is very telling because it indicates that the Commissioner had not just seen the video but that he had looked at it “carefully.” This is important because it means that the Commissioner cannot now claim that he hasn’t seen the video the way that A&M Coach Sherman. Mr. Rosenthal then goes on to ask the Commissioner how he would describe the incident and Beebe responded,
“Well, if you think it was that (jabbing at testicles), we’ll just have to disagree. I don’t think it was in that manner. And didn’t the Nebraska player say he was just trying to get to the ball?” – Big 12 Commissioner BeeBe
Here, the Big 12 Commissioner seems to be referring to Ben Cotton’s description of events from a media conference as an accurate explanation of what happened. Of course anyone who actually watched the interview where Ben Cotton made the statement about Jerod-Eddie “trying to find his way to the football” knows that Cotton was making a joke. Even the media that was present understood instantly that Ben Cotton was being satirical as they all broke out in laughter.
What is most disturbing about the Big 12 Commissioner trying to use the statements of Ben Cotton in this press conference to clear Jerod-Eddie of all wrongdoing is the fact that the Big 12 Commissioner knows full well that Ben Cotton is under a Big 12 Gag Order that prohibits him from publically criticizing another player or the officials. Ultimately, even if Ben Cotton thought that Jerod Eddies actions were intolerable and that they were worthy of suspension, he was prohibited from say so and the Commissioner knew this.
BIG 12 Rules (GAG ORDER)
12.3.2 Comments about Officiating. Coaches, student-athletes, and members of the athletics department staff are prohibited from making any public comment regarding the game officials or the officiating at any contest. The public airing of officiating matters, whether directly or indirectly, during or after a game, verbally or by use of video, on or off the record, is prohibited.
12.3.3 Comments about Other Members. Coaches, student-athletes, and members of the athletics department staff are prohibited from making public comments that are negative about other member institutions, including, but not limited to, negative comments about the personnel, student-athletes, support groups and general matters related to the university, its location, etc.
While it is unclear why Dan Beebe would try to use Cotton’s “Gag Order” statement to clear Jerod-Eddie in this matter, we can speculate that perhaps the Commissioner is beginning to realize that he originally failed to perform his duties as Big 12 Commissioner in addressing this issue and is now trying to indicate that it was not reviewed because there simply was no foul to review. Of course if there was no foul at all then why did Coach Sherman of A&M feel compelled to “punish” Jerod-Eddie for his actions?
Under Big 12 rules, the Commissioner was REQUIRED to review the videos in both the A.J. Klein and Jerod-Eddie cases. This was not an “option” that he could perform at his leisure. The Big 12 rules under Section 12 “SPORTSMANSHIP AND ETHICAL CONDUCT” states in section 12.3 and 12.3.1,
12.3 Violations. Violations of this rule REQUIRING ACTIONS BY THE COMMISSIONER are:
12.3.1 Verbal or Physical Abuse. Prior to, during and after a contest, coaches, student athletes, and members of the athletics department staff and spirit squads are prohibited from committing verbal or PHYSICAL ABUSIVE ACTS TOWARD game officials or an OPPONENT”S TEAM MEMBERS, coaching staff, institutional personnel or fans. [emphasis added]
If attempting to twist another player’s neck/head or trying to cause serious damage to another player’s sciatic nerve doesn’t constitute “Physical Abuse” then I would like to hear from the Commissioner an explanation of what does.
As the Big 12 Commissioner is now trying to say that Jerod-Eddie’s physical assault on Ben Cotton was not an example of any foul at all, it has become obvious that either corruption or ineptitude in the Big 12 has come to dominate the Conference at the very highest level. If Dan Beebe is not willing to enforce NCAA and Big 12 rules then the member institutions should act immediately to remove him from his position!
By not handing down the most severe penalties to these two criminal players, the Commissioner is signaling to all players and coaches that such actions are tolerated. Nothing endangers players more than a failure to enforce the rules. This is especially true when the specific rules being ignored have the primary purpose of protecting the health and safety of the athletes.
In a year where college football has suffered a great example of tragedy when Rutgers’ player Eric LeGrand was paralyzed during play, the safety of the players should not be resting in the hands of a man who has absolutely refused in two separate cases to enforce the rules against flagrant fouls and abusive physical acts. From this point on, if even one player in the Big 12 is injured in a similar event while Dan Beebe holds the post of Commissioner, everyone including the family and friends of the player will know with all certainty at whom to point the finger of blame.
(Video of the two “incidents” can be found in the article: Illegal Procedure on the Big 12 )
Tags: Ben Cotton, Big 12, Dan Beebe, NCAA, Nebraska, Texas A&M
Sports | Richard Okelberry November 30, 2010
By Joe, November 30, 2010 @ 7:21 pm
Thank you Richard for your reports they have been very informative and very appreciated. It has been made so blatantly obvious that the Big 12 is doing everything in its power to screw over the University of Nebraska and it really irritates the heck out of me. There is no getting around it and for the big hitters of media ie ESPN not to cover this travesty is absolutely absurd! I hope next week if we are fortunate enough to beat Oklahoma and the refs, Bo and the players and maybe some of the fans (like myself), get to all take turns pissing on that blasted trophy right before we gift wrap it and send it back to the cheating commish!!
By Tim in Texas, November 30, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Thank you Utah Free Press! Very few in the media have had the guts to focus on this Beebe character this year. He is as crooked as a dogs hind leg. I live in Texas and am embarrassed by the lack of accountability in the Big 12. It is obvious they have it out for Nebraska. Hey the Huskers called the University of Texas’ bluff. They won the Mexican stand off and it pissed UT, Beebe and the remaining Big 12 sheep (that because they follow Texas blindly).
Beebe should be investigated by the FBI for fixing games. Seriously. He is a cheat, a liar, and a man of zero integrity. He makes Cam look like a damn saint. Cam did it for a couple of hundred grand. Beebe is in this for Millions.
I’m am glad to see a Nebraska vs. Oklahoma champ game. It is fitting that these two great programs face off to put the Big 8 to bed. It will be but a few years before a Southwest Conference scandal type situation takes down the remaining conference…but Texas will take their money, buy off whom ever, and skate away while the others suffer.
By Benny, November 30, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
The plays against Burkhead and Cotton were non-football related physical assaults that should have been dealt with in a swift decisive suspension.
Ask Dan Beebe if his NFL security consultant he claims to use on alot of these issues, as well as the “said” threatening email just so happens to also be his brother-in-law….hmmmm. Sound like a fair consultant to you?
By Julia, November 30, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
This article was well researched, well voiced, and it’s about time someone outside the conference took notice. I have no clue as to whether or not this author is a Big Red fan or not, but for him to take the time to research the commissioner and all the quotes/actions that have taken place since the Eric Martin suspension, I applaud him.
To Joe, please don’t take any offense to this, but being a former college student-athlete, I know how difficult it can be to take the high road in situations like these. If Nebraska is empowered enough to beat Oklahoma one more time, and win that last trophy, then by all means we shouldn’t, how did you so eloquently put it? Oh right,”take turns pissing on that blasted trophy right before we gift wrap it and send it back to the cheating commish!!” No, instead of sinking to the level of “cheating” or whatever has transpired over the course of this season, take it, graciously accept that which they hold so dear, and kiss it it right in front of their eyes. Make them see that for as many times as Nebraska was denied, as many times as they were beaten down (most of the time, I admit, it was themselves doing the beating), they rose up, and with a win, will rise above it.
How many times have we been titled “the best fans in the nation/college football”? We have lost some of our sparkle, whatever it was when we became so angry, trying to point the finger at anyone and everyone- blaming those who might have meant any harm at all, when we should have been pointing the finger at ourselves. At the end of the day, the only thing you can control is yourself. You can’t control what the media says, you can’t control how the refs officiate, and you certainly can’t control the opposing players/coaches. It seems as though we have now become lackluster in setting ourselves apart from other fan bases, with the ignorance and anger in what some of us have done, and I am starting to be embarrassed by the way we have acted. I hope, in time, we can regain our composure and try to start being a shining light of what true football fans can be.
By Julia, November 30, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
Oh and for the record, I Bleed Husker Red, and I DO find these flagrant fouls to be indescribably despicable, and I agree that something should have been done about them. I forgot to put that in my last comment! haha Whoopsies!
By Jay Urban, December 1, 2010 @ 8:52 pm
Well put. I firmly believe that football is a violent sport played once a week for a reason. I believe the speed of the game and the quickness of the players causes some of these situations. It’s pretty hard to make a planned helmet to helmet hit. Plus once you put the pads on and the whistles blows, you shouldn’t make yourself defenseless. Get off the field if your not paying attention
By Richard Okelberry, December 2, 2010 @ 1:14 pm
How crazy! I have a cousin named Jay Urban from Nebraska!
I agree with you here Jay. I’ve never quite understood the defenseless player thing. It seems far too subjective of a call. Still, I do believe that even with the violent side of football as you say, there has to be limits on how and where a player can be hit. Just as we should not be allowing players to twist the heads of players or grab at their groin or crotch, we need to accept that it is simply too dangerous to contact a player with a hit above the shoulder pads. The head and neck need to be off limits. While Eric Martin didn’t hit with the top of his Helmet as Beebe claimed, he did ultimately make contact at full speed with his opponents head.
So in my opinion, we need to get rid of the defenseless player thing and simply enforce rules for proper blocking and tackling.
By Jay Urban, December 3, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
Not crazy at all Richard. I am indeed the cousin from Omaha Nebraska. Not to be confused (as cell messages did)with Jay Urban the sportswritter who in correctly reported Taylor Martinez leaving NU.
My opinion is very similiar as yours but I really feel that the speed of the game and the illusion of slow motion replay makes it very difficult to decipher intent. Prime examples that we all saw were ISU player trying to tear Rex’s head off. Penalty yes but was his intent malicious or was he grabbing whatever he could in an intense situation to prevent Rex from scoring. Texas A&M was a more obvisious situation but even Mr. Cotton lost is cool and struct out against the player. Penalties? YES bad officiating in both situations heck yes.
By Richard Okelberry, December 4, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
It’s good to hear from you Jay! It’s been far too long!
While I agree that often we look at these videos in replay and forget sometimes how quickly things can happen, as far as the ISU player goes, his intent to me became obvious to me when two of our players had time to see what was happening and stepped in. Remember that A.J. Klein didn’t release Burkhead because he suddenly realized that he had a hold of the wrong part of him the way players often do when the realize they have a player face mask, he only released when he was forced to do so. To me if our players had time to react, then A.J. Klein did as well.
We should also remember that not all uncalled fouls are reviewable by the commissioner but only Flagrant Fouls. Also we need to realize that while most flagrant fouls don’t call for a suspension, for those that aren’t called during the course of the game suspension is truly the only penalty that can be handed out. Finally, another point that I didn’t originally make regarding uncalled flagrant fouls is the fact that the officials are required under NCAA regulations to file a report on any such uncalled fouls after the game. I sure would like to see if any such reports were ever made in these two cases.
Well, I truly hope you are all well and that you are gearing up for a great Christmas. I will be recording the Championship game tonight since my wife’s company has their Christmas Party tonight. They just don’t respect game days out here in Utah!
P.S. You make great points. If you ever are looking for a place to write for I could always use someone that knows their football!
By Suz, November 30, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
The injuries to Burkhead and Cotton were documented and it is criminal that the Big 12 commish did nothing about it.
I am in agreement that the members schools should ask for him to be removed.
BB sent a signal to the Big 12 that criminal behavior is acceptable.
I hope that a player does not become seriously injured because of the irresponsible behavior of of the Big 12 Commissioner
Shame on him if something happens to a player
I hope NU wins Sat. but wonder who will give them the trophy?
PS I am with the Big 10 conference.
By Tim, November 30, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
Don’t know if anyone saw the Missouri vs Kansas game but there was a similar play to Eric Martins (although Martins was a legal hit) where the MU defender hit a defenseless KU QB, was flagged and also resulted in giving him a concussion. Wonder if Beebe suspends the MU player? Seems a precedence has been set? My guess is nothing will come of it.
By Mike Heintzelman, November 30, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
As far as deciding on the venue for receiving the Big Twelve Championship Trophy….I suggest a little family restaurant in Brooklyn called ‘Louis’. It’s quiet, quaint, and they serve a best veal in the city. Dan Beebe can pour the Chianti while Bo excuses himself to use the bathroom. You figure out the rest.
By SD, December 1, 2010 @ 10:25 am
Hahaha! Fantastic, Mike. Simply fantastic.
By Ben, December 1, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
Very clever… a little extreme, but very clever
By JIM, December 2, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
GOOD ONE MATT BUT THE RESTAURAUNT WAS IN THE BRONX… YOUR POINT IS WELL TAKEN
By Zeke in Bugaha, December 2, 2010 @ 4:02 pm
B*A*N*G!!! ha ha…
NICE!
By Mike Heintzelman, November 30, 2010 @ 10:52 pm
As far as deciding on the venue for receiving the Big Twelve Championship Trophy….I suggest a little family restaurant in Brooklyn called ‘Louis’. It’s quiet, quaint, and they serve the best veal in the city. Dan Beebe can pour the Chianti while Bo excuses himself to use the bathroom. You figure out the rest.
By JIM, December 2, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
MIKE YOUR POINT WAS WELL YAKEN… HOWEVER LOUI’S IS IN THE BRONX..BB NEEDS TO GO THERE..
By Chris phillips, November 30, 2010 @ 11:06 pm
Excellent article. Hope that some of this can gain national attention.
By Ron, November 30, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
I have faith that Dr. Tom is doing something behind the scene. Remember the accounts of calling UT bluff. I would also hope that the rest of the old Big 8 teams would stand up to BB after remembering all of the times NU stood up to protect them. If they let BB stay they should know that they have NO say in ANYTHING that goes on in the LITTLE 10. I wish Bo’s actions were a little different BUT I am PROUD of him protecting our young men.
By LGDD2, November 30, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
Richard: Thanks for the unbiased look at the Big 12 and the situations regarding NU football players. LG
By Harold Bosse, November 30, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
Richard
By Stephen Johnson, November 30, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
I must object to the description of the hit by Martin. You indicated he led with the top of his helmet. This is not true, he led with his right shoulder, not his helmet. Clearly.
For Dan Beebe’s comments, he should be ashamed. Does he kiss his mother with that mouth? He should be added to the book lying liars and the lies they tell in the next edition.
By Travis, December 1, 2010 @ 12:47 am
Right on about the author’s incorrect description of the Martin hit on the OSU player. I’ve watched that play a hundred times, and Martin DID NOT lead with the crown of his helmet! He hit him with his shoulder and their facemasks touch for a split second. Which is why there was no flag thrown, b/c it was a clean hit; there was a referee looking directly at the hit on the field.
By Richard Okelberry, December 1, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
You are correct, Stephen. I was describing it the way the Big 12 “officially” describe it. Still the hit was too high. While it likely was just a misjudgment made at great speed by Martin, he still had a responsibility of safety to the other player. As such, I believe the suspension for one game was still appropriate.
By Jay Urban, December 1, 2010 @ 8:42 pm
I agree whole heartily with the the statements posted here. The Commissioner has over stepped his bounds and his snubbing of the presentation of the Big 12 North trophy because his fear for his safety was rediculious as we all know he could have sent former Hursker great Ed Stewart to his home stadium to deliver it with honors. I wonder if criminal or civil charges can be filled against Mr BeeBe for assault? On behalf of Rex BurkHead and Mr. Cotton.
If anyone wants to believe that it is to big of an arena for a conspiracy lets step back to June 2010 when NU called the Texas bluff and moved to the Big Ten. How many Big 12 Conference employees ran the risk of being unemployeed? Don Beebe and company, where would the officials find work if the league collapsed.
we never thought professional basketball refs would shave points did me? How about Gambling and betting in baseball? When there is big money involved people will take big risks.
By Harold Bosse, November 30, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
Richard
Thank You for writing this article. The Big 12 Commissioner is not only neglecting his duties to protect these young men but he seems to have his own agenda on which rules apply to whom. Hopefully the NCAA will eventually tackle this issue and bring these charges to bear against Mr. Beebe.
By TJ, December 1, 2010 @ 12:34 am
Richard, thank you for taking a look into what some national columnist are calling a bunch of over paranoid “kooks” of fans. However what you pointed out (the Martin hit, Burkheads decapitation, late hit on the TAMU player, and Cottens assault) is what NU fans really care about. Most of the calls are legit, however when it comes to player safety, our players get to be pinata’s, while precedent is thrown out. I would like to see Bebee get sued, not for money, not for wins, not for a removal of losses. He is making a hostile work enviroment for the Huskers. If Burkhead could of been a mm away from being paralized, thank you for blowing the whistle.
By Jason, December 1, 2010 @ 12:42 am
Great article Richard. However I agree the hit by Martin was legal…..Beebe was just trying to set the wheel in motion to prove he didn’t and doesn’t want Nebraska to rub it in his face. Beebe just continues to pretent that other people can’t see what is truely happening on the field. But the good news for NU…only one more game versus a once great rival.
Now in regards to the game this weekend, I hope Nebraska wins. But I hope it is a clean, hard hitting affair that the game officials let the players decide on the field.
Now…if it wouldn’t be a huge let down to the players. I would love nothing better than right after beebe (or whomever has the balz) hands Tom the trophy he would turn back to beebe and say “To all of our former friends and the rest of the in the teams (Texas) in the conference, Nebraska will not be attending a bowl game this year. We will not go out and play and win more money for this so called conference.”
What would that cost the conference at minimum $6,000,000! But…the players deserve a bowl game purely based on their efforts and hard work, but a guy can dream right.
Go Huskers and long live Husker Pride!
By Richard Okelberry, December 1, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
I certainly can see your point about Martin’s hit. While the Big 12 described the hit as leading with the crown of his helmet, it is obvious from the video that he made contact with the side of his helmet. Still, we need to look at what specifically the NCAA rule book says about such hits. The rule is 9.1.3.b and the requirement to review the video is Section 6 Article 2.
I personally believe that while Eric Martin’s hit was not from the crown of his helmet it was too high as described in the NCAA Rules. While many may disagree, for safety sake the rules dictate that, “When in question, it is a foul.” We all love football, but we need to err on the side of caution when it comes to safety.
(Note: I have modified the original essay to reflect that Commissioner Beebe discribed the hit as being from the crown of the helmet.)
By Myron, December 1, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
Since when is a player covering on a kick off a defenseless player. Shoud that player be expecting to be blocked?
By Brent Golden, December 1, 2010 @ 1:48 am
Four words. THANK YOU! Well Writen!
By SteveD, December 1, 2010 @ 1:57 am
As more and more incidents are “proven” by video evidence, it becomes more and more apparent that Dan Beebe has opened up a can of worms that have shed a dark cloud over the Big XII. From the suspension of Martin to the Cotton incident to the non-calls and bad calls of a few games (esp Texas A&M). The claim of “Death threats” from Husker fans? I would believe calls about his obvious bias against the Huskers. I don’t believe death threats. Not from true Husker fans.
It’s been a long season and soon we’ll be away to the Big 10. I hope our other former Big 8 rivals can find a way out of this once proud Big 8 conference and the joke of a Big Texas conference it’s become.
Hey Dan, what are those biased officals getting? Probably a payraise and bonus!
By SD,NE,IA,NE,SD HUSKER, December 1, 2010 @ 2:52 am
I feel soory OU for staying in the big 12
By One Man Jury, December 1, 2010 @ 3:04 am
Commissioner not being candid. I don’t believe he even bothered to look at the video. We got jobbed. Beebe doesn’t care, and it is not a crime that he doesn’t care, it just sucks. Otherwise, the police would be investigating him for not being fair to UNL.
This is a life lesson about respect. Respect must be earned, and we give Beebe no respect because he has not earned it.
Let’s take the Big XII trophy and slam the door on Beebe and the Texas refs.
By Trudy Coarsey, December 1, 2010 @ 4:59 am
Lookers-on see most of the game
By thomsen32, December 1, 2010 @ 5:15 am
Good article! Likewise on the Martin hit, except he was laughing and joking after the hit on the sideline which was on national tv. That most likely did not help with the suspension. TRex face mask, should have been dealt with not only by the conference but the ncaa should be stepping.in. Remember though, this is all about the money. Not by the conferences but the media market. ESPN and its affiliates with their announcers making statements in back to back games about NU player hits. And we wouldn’t want any attention to be taken away from the SEC. OH THAT’S RIGHT what was the size of that contract? They sure picked up on Bo on the sideline (love the intensity, but needs to back it off for the players sake) because overtime the refs are human and they don’t want to be called out on national tv. (They will get u back) as we saw in the T AM game on a perfectly legal hit. But back to ESPN, when a SECplayer commits a flagrant foul, there all overit all week. Even better the Fl player suspended himself. That was the story, integrity but u still tried to intentionally went to hurt another player.
All in all get the full story on the news let it be national. Let’s see how it can be spun that a coaches passioncaused all this. It cost us one game with that bull page hit on third down. No doubt about it!
Play ur game NU everything will fall intoplace and u can’t lose no matter what because ur above all this.
By thomsen32, December 1, 2010 @ 5:21 am
Oh yea if u r making threats, cut it out. Perception of one morphs into the whole husked nation. Who caresabout bb. Care about winning the trophy. It makes it sound like we are making excuses before the games are played which means we know this a good team just not a great team yet. Let them pro e it on the field.
By chris, December 1, 2010 @ 5:56 am
AH HA! I’M NOT CRAZY. NO, WAIT. I’M NOT A KOOK. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT US CORNHEADS. WE’VE “LOST OUR MINDS”.
HERE’S AN OUTSIDER THAT REALIZES THAT BEBE IS NOT FIT TO PARTICIPATE AT THAT LEVEL OF AUTHORITY AND HIS PERSONAL VENDETA, THO NOT MENTIONED HERE, IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF RIGHTOUS DECISION MAKING.
By Jess, December 1, 2010 @ 7:48 am
Ben Cotton. Accepting responsibility for his own actions while all the adults in the Big XII, the UNL Chancellor’s office and the Omaha/Lincoln newspapers fail him and fail reporting the truth. Instead local media consumers are treated to lectures and distractions from the local columnists. Your piece has facts that support an obvious conclusion. That must be extremely difficult stuff to do because the guys getting paid to do it in Nebraska can’t get it done.
By Laura, December 1, 2010 @ 11:45 am
What?
By Andy, December 1, 2010 @ 10:12 am
Richard,
Thanks for this story, nice to see someone in the media paying a bit of attention to what has been a frustrating turn of events for the Huskers.
To all you Husker fans reading this and thinking we have an unbiased supporter beating the drum for us, you should know Richard is from NE – born and raised. I have no idea whether or not he is a Husker fan (although I can make that assumption based on the tone of the two articles on this subject). His being from Nebraska, however, certainly decreases the likelihood that anyone outside of Nebraska will take him, or this issue seriously.
My recommendation – we all just move on. We play the title game on Saturday, and if we win, graciously wear the title of Big 12 champs into the bowl game, and play our best. Then we move into 2011 and focus on what is sure to be one of the toughest seasons we will have ever gone through in the Big 10.
NOTHING will change what has already occurred this season. We lost to both Texas schools we played, and no amount of complaining will change that. We have one Big 12 game left, so ultimately, who cares what happens with Dan Beebe going forward?
Turn the page Husker Nation. What’s done is done. We’re 10-2, playing for the championship against our oldest rival with a chance to play in a BCS bowl for the first time in 10 years. It’s been a great season overall, don’t let circumstances beyond our control ruin it.
By Richard Okelberry, December 1, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
Andy is correct, in full disclosure; I was born and raised in Omaha NE. While I currently live in Cache Valley UT, I also lived in Lincoln NE for a period of time where I published http://www.Lincolnsblog.com. I personally, like most opinion writers that blog, do not consider myself in anyway unbiased. Part of blogging is being biased. In fact, I don’t know if I have ever read a sports writer that isn’t also somewhat biased. That said, I can say that in 15+ years of writing and blogging, I have written exactly two essays about UNL and both were strong criticisms. The first was about the serving of Alcohol in the Skyboxes while the rest of the stadium was forced to be dry and the second was about the need to make the stadium ADA compliant.
Readers should also know that I am a retired service connected disabled veteran. Of my injuries, I have severe damage to my left sciatic nerve. As such, I can personally attest to the damage the Jerrod-Eddie could have caused to Ben Cotton during his assault and how debilitating that assault could have been.
I also want to apologize to everyone for not having my bio available. A short while ago, the site suffered a massive failure in the database and the system is currently being repopulated.
Now for those that would like to use the fact that I am originally from Nebraska to make a fallacious Circumstantial Ad Hominem argument against what I have written, I would encourage you to instead to focus your attacks on the facts that I have presented in my various essays on this subject and dispute whether any conclusions I draw based on those facts are accurate.
By Bret Van Arsdale, December 1, 2010 @ 10:41 am
Beebe Is the BIGGEST Coward POS that Ever Walked the face of this earth, And he wonders why husker Fans Hate him?
By Andy Fields, December 1, 2010 @ 11:09 am
What a great article! I want to know something, if someone can tell me. Wouldn’t it be a good idea if Nebraska filed a lawsuit against the Big XII and/or Dan Beebe for not acting on this? I don’t know much about suing people, but I’m thinking a lawsuit would get the loser to quit or be fired. Am I wrong?
By Sportster Exhaust, December 1, 2010 @ 11:32 am
Hey this post is a little interesting. Can you reply me any related articles?
By Virginia Watch, December 1, 2010 @ 11:54 am
Does anyone know if there is any legal action that can be taken against “Beebe the Beast of Prey”? Something like “aiding and abetting assault and battery” by not enforcing the rules and regulations his position (as Big 12 Commissioner) required him to do.
Help get this guy out of football!!
By Richard Okelberry, December 1, 2010 @ 12:40 pm
If any civil action could be taken against the Big 12 it would likely come in the form of a consumer protection suit. Litigants (fans) would first have to show that they have standing and that they were harmed. The best strategy in such a suit would be to try and show that the Big 12 was committing a form of fraud by advertising Big 12 contests to the public as being fair and generally free of corruption while failing to provide the product that was advertised. It’s best to think of fans as consumers and the Big 12 as a company producing a product. In this case the challenge would be to show that the consumer had been damaged. The question is, would fans be as willing to buy pay-per-view events, fill stadiums and buy memorabilia if they knew the games were rigged or that officials and the commissioner was biased?
Your question certainly brings up a serious question. Who is there to protect the fans in this case? Is it the Big 12 Board of Directors or do the fans have to rely on the court system? One great thing about bringing forward such a civil action would be the fact that the walls of secrecy created by the Big 12’s self imposed gag orders would come crumbling down. Litigants would be able to use discovery to bring into evidence personal emails and communications between the Big 12 Commissioner and say, officiating crews as well as the heads of various Universities and athletic programs. As there is a federal law that requires that all email communications be preserved, these communications would be easily made available.
Good question!
By fletchhusker, December 1, 2010 @ 11:58 am
I have been a Husker fan for over 40 years, yes I am appalled by Beebe’s lack of holding these players accountable for their actions… however I am more appalled by more and more Husker fans over the past few years. There was a time even when wronged Husker fans took the high road, ok, bad call, didn’t go in our favor… move on. I am a season ticket holder and I am seeing it at games also. Although we are not at the gutter level of many Buffs fans I see us heading in that direction. I am embarrassed. If this is the “new” generation of Husker fans I don’t like it at all. We are NEBRASKA, we are the HUSKERS, bring back the slogan, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE NEBRASKA. Live it, learn it, UNDERSTAND IT… otherwise please follow Mr Callahan to the NE, he didn’t know what Nebraska is all about, and many of our current Husker fans don’t either.
By jk, December 1, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
Great article, thank you for having the fortitude to call out the emperor. Something ESPN didn’t have the guts to do, or doesn’t want to harm the image of their “vested” interest.
By Nuke 1970, December 1, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
One only has to look at the Football Field in Austin to understand. Instead of saying Big 12 Conference on top of the XII, it says TEXAS. None of the other fields in the conference bastardize the logo this way. The 9 remaining schools should look at this and realize what they are stuck with. The sooner the 4 remaining North schools realize how they are getting shafted, they should suck it up and jump ship. Conference USA or the Big East would be improvements for them. If they joined the Big East and made them an East / West conference, they probably would have a respectable future.
By Chris, December 1, 2010 @ 12:41 pm
Great article … too bad ESPN, Yahoo sports and Sports Illustrated hasn’t pciked up on it … just the threats by the Nebraska fans. There was another play against Taylor Martinez in the KSU game. After Martinez got sacked, as he was getting up, a KSU defender did a hammer hit on the top of his helmet. Should have been flagged and the KSU player, suspended one game.
By Nuke 1970, December 1, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
Chris, I heard a ksu fan (not a kid either about 50), holler after the hit on Taylor “next time break his leg!”. (this was after listening to the idiot on WHB in KC all afternoon tell how KSU fans are just as good as NU fans!).
By Chris, December 1, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
I’ve been following Nebraska football since 1977 and never seen anything like this … the consistency of the no calls and suspensions. I mean we had some bad calls via Penn State, FSU but dealing with this stuff the entire season is just crazy!
By HispanoHusker, December 1, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
Great article!
I watched all three cases again and again.
1. Eric Martin´s hit was excessive. He knocked the Hudson kid out cold. He could have stopped the OSU player with less force. As a football player with the experience of Martin he should have better judgement of his own impact.
The suspension was not injust.
2. The facemask foul against Burkhead was very serious. With just a little more twist Burkhead`s neck could have been broken. That was very close to the most serious consequences for #22, Nebraska.
It is not yet safe to say that Burkhead´s cervical spine didn´t suffer more damage than meets the eye.
This foul should have been punished. The ISU player should have been suspended.
3. The foul against Ben Cotton was by no means physically dangerous. It was by all means attempted to provoke Cotton to react the way he did drawing the foul and penalty.
It is extremely unsportsmanlike to use such tricks from the gutter to get your own team an advantage you might be lacking due to your poor playing abilities.
In order to keep the standards of sportsmanship in the Big12 up, this behaviour should have been punished with the suspension of the A&M player.
Beebe´s reaction´s to the author´s questions is totally inadequate. He does not have to start loving Nebraska, but it is his job to secure EVERY PLAYER´S safety, physical well beeing and fair play.
That´s his job.
He isn´t doing his job very well – to put it mildly.
Next year it will not be Nebraska´s problem any more.
Let´s hope the last game will go without any physical damage to anyone.
By Nuke 1970, December 1, 2010 @ 1:18 pm
Beebe is trying to set up NU with the Big Ten fans. Hopefully they will see through his bluster and see the situation for what it really is.
By Boo, December 1, 2010 @ 1:28 pm
Very well written article, thank Utah Press for actually having the courage to voice what everyone else is thinking, Great Job.
By JC, December 1, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
Whine much?
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Your articles are ridiculous… the last one said Jerod-Eddie was going for the sciatic nerve? Did you even bother looking at where the sciatic nerve is…?
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Your articles are perpetuating the whining by husker nation.. YOU and 90% of Husker Nation HAS NOT BEEN ACCOUNTABLE for the actions your team has made.
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You play dirty, and get flagged (i.e. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdxSKkhVGMg) where exactly is the travesty? And why are you surprised when other teams respond like Jerod-Eddie or the ISU player did..?
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Grow up already! Be accountable!
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P.S. Sherman never said he didnt review the play, he said he didnt watch youtube (why do you think he needs to get on youtube to review the game?). Also Jerod-Eddie ADMITTED things and was up front when Sherman went to him about it, why would he need to “investigate” further?.
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Carl Pelini could learn something from Jerod-Eddie… as could husker nation… Be accountable!
By Richard Okelberry, December 1, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
JC,
I know EXACTLY where the Sciatic nerve is. As a service connected disabled veteran, I currently suffer from an injury to this very nerve and am very aware of how dibilitating it can be.
By JC, December 1, 2010 @ 3:20 pm
I suppose anytime someone tackles someone in the back of the leg they are trying to disable them by hitting their sciatic nerve?
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Sorry, but you of all people should understand that sciatic nerve injuries are usually a result from back injuries (herniated discs) because the nerve is very deep on the interior of the body. The glute and other muscles protects the sciatic nerve – most injuries (unrelated to back injuries already discussed) stem from injections where the nerve is hit by a needle.
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Muay Thai fighters are taught to KICK to the inner thigh in hopes of affecting the sciatic nerve… you cant honestly tell me that you think Jerod-Eddie was making a conscious attempt to do this, OR used ANYWHERE NEAR the force needed to affect the nerve that is less than an inch in diameter and buried under inches of muscles and tissue..
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You are taking things much to far with these allegations… Cotton moved on and was accountable for his mistakes. Its time for you to move on too.
By Critter, December 1, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
I don’t think Jerod-Eddie had, or has any clue what sciatic nerves are or where they are located. All he was doing was try to inflict pain by pinching, and the closest thing to his reach was Ben’s leg/a$$. I would almost guess he had no clue Ben had the ball, and was going after anyone in red pants, and the dog pile was his excuse to let loose.
By Luke, December 2, 2010 @ 12:45 am
When I read the article, I felt like when the author was using the term “sciatic nerve” as a more proper way of saying…”Jerold-Eddie grabbed Cotton’s balls!!!”
By Richard Okelberry, December 2, 2010 @ 8:49 am
While you are correct, most people don’t have 300 pound football players purposely digging their fingers in between the muscles of their inner thigh. This is a standard martial arts pressure point area. The best way for you to understand how easily the sciatic nerve can be accessed is to assume the position and allow someone to gently probe between the muscles in the inner thigh. If you don’t know someone who can do this for you, stop by a mixed martial arts gym and have someone there do it for you. Also if you could take a friend along with a video camera and send it back here, I will publish it for you. It is important for the skeptical public to watch a skeptic have this done to them. You will find very quickly that your need to kick, flail and do most anything to make it stop is almost involuntary.
By JC, December 2, 2010 @ 6:55 pm
So now Cotton’s kicking was an involuntary action to Jerod-Eddie’s pinching his sciatic nerve…
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Very classic journalism.
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Good luck in the CCG, i’m hoping you guys win so you can move on… if the huskers lose we’ll get to hear whining and conspiracy theories through the entire holiday season.
By echelle piscine, December 1, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
Nice informartions. Read from my mobile phone lol. Thanks
By burtman, December 1, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
I’ll repost what i left on the usa today site – readers directed me to this site as some sort of counterpoint. they never mentioned that the author is a husker booster and is even wearing a husker shirt in front of what looks like lincoln – but you nebraska nuts really have to get a grip. =
I’m from Nebraska, and Husker fans working themselves into a froth about supposed slights is not a surprise. They’ve always been this angry and wacked out! They actually believe that there was a three pronged conspiracy between the Big 12, Texas, and the referees to job them somehow. Nevermind that Nebraska has had the North sown up for a month, and that there was a real chance of the Big 12 getting two BCS teams and millions of dollars, and that Nebraska would be a much bigger ratings grabber in the title game – logic won’t stop them from claiming the referees tried to throw the A&M game. Then they’ll breathlessly defend their coaches when they assault cameramen, flip out during and after losses, and embarrass themselves and their school in front of the entire country. Then they’ll send over 2000 “vulgar” and “profane” emails, deliver death threats, and menace the families of Big 12 officials. And then they’ll name call and personally deride anyone that disagrees with them.
And then they’ll claim to be the classiest fans in the land. And then they’ll lose it if anyone suggests otherwise.
He said he received over 2000 emails, and many were vile and vulgar and threatening. He definitely received death threats. And I’m sure that none of the emails were wishing him Happy Thanksgiving, and I’m sure that 99.99% of them accused him of criminally spearheading an anti-Nebraska plot and using referees (and buying their silence too, apparently) to do it. And I don’t think he’d go public with something he couldn’t prove and already said he brought in independent parties to evaluate and handle it.
And as far what I “believe” – i believe that anyone who thinks there was an anti-Husker game-throwing conspiracy, who thinks that the entire big 12 leadership and entire referee crews were in on it, and believe that they would do this during a game (A&M) when Nebraska practically had the North wrapped up already and who’s loss could potentially cost the Big 12 millions in both lower ratings for the big 12 title game and eliminating a possibility of getting 2 bcs bids – is a kooky loser who’s WAYYYYY too emotionally invested in 19 year old amateur athletes and has lost his grip on reality.
By Don Garlits, December 1, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
So I guess you think these actions by these players, and Beebe’s failure to act on them, are okay? I’m not a “kook” nor a conspiracy theorist; however, I can’t overlook what seems to be some pretty clear bias, either. Have an objective look at the evidence and then tell us how you would characterize this apparent bias, please, rather than spewing ad hominem attacks on those who disagree with you.
By burtman, December 2, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
there is no bias! a couple bad calls? ok. but referee crews scheming to screw over the huskers somehow? for what benefit? It certainly hasn’t helped their careers, and if you think they did it to curry favor with the Big 12 or Texas or whoever is out to get you, or even if you think more than one ref is out to get them, then you do think its a conspiracy! And whatever actions the Big 12 takes against these players – how exactly does that effect Nebraska’s on the field performance? They’re not seeing these players or teams again, so it doesn’t fit into the “Big 12 is trying to screw us!” theme on this thread. It doesn’t effect Nebraska one iota, except to give mentally unstable fans something to whine and cry uncontrollably about.
The roughing the passer penalty in the A&M game is a perfect example. I see questionable roughing the passer calls that are as bad or worse than that one every week. Since I’ve been alive and watching football, there have been bad roughing the passer calls = the first one i remember being the raider – patriot playoff game in the 70’s. And with the new standards, there are more than ever before being made by “reasonable” refs. But what I don’t do when I see one is immediately assume that the refs are biased – because i don’t have a persecution complex and an oversized obsession regarding my school’s football team. And since the huskers have been penalized way more than their opponents since the Pelinis got there and before their move away from the Big 12 – all the penalty disparity shows me is that Nebraska is as wildly undisciplined as their coach.
Listen, i’m from Nebraska. I know how insane the activities of 19 year old amateurs makes you. But you have to realize – no one cares enough about this to be out to get you. So stop menacing people and making Lincoln seem more dangerous than Kabul.
By Jay Urban, December 19, 2010 @ 3:06 am
I’ve been out for awhile but after I read this one I decided to jump back in one more time. I would have agreed here but I have one question for you. Certain people may not give a hoot about Nebraska football and stoop so low as to make bad calls but how about a disgruntled employee that could be out of a job if the conference would have folded because Nebraska left.
That’s right the Big Twelve is still on shakey ground and risk losing alot of revenue with Nebraska’s departure.
How many Televised games will be lost, filled stadiums,
and how many officials will there be required. Did you stop and realize that when a non conference game is played that the visiting teams referees are the officials? Less league games less officials required less money for them. Good motivation to impress the boss isn’t it. Just ask the NBA officials who helped shave points or Shoeless Joe Jackson if they ever threw a game.
By school grants, December 1, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
By Eric Ludvigsen, December 1, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
Thanks for the article. As a Nebraska fan this year has done two things 1) made me extremely happy that we are leaving the Big XII and 2) given the team and fans an us against the world mentality that I think will help during the final Big XII title game.
To be able to leave the conference with the last title will make every Husker fan’s day, week, month or maybe even year. I couldn’t respect anybody less than I do Don Beebe. He is a puppet with absolutely no integrity. He is a sad pathetic excuse for a conference commisioner. Good bye Big XII.
By Barry, December 1, 2010 @ 4:07 pm
Richard, nice work! This is my first exposure to your blog and it looks great. BTW, nice piece in Feb on nuclear power. Now please do a story or two on the obviously cheating B12 ref crew who did the Nebraska games vs. Texas, Iowa State and A&M
By Richard Okelberry, December 1, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
I would love to do an article on the refs. The problem is, besides from the statistical evidence that appears to show a strong bias in 3 games, the Big 12 keeps their evaluations of refs a well guarded secret. As I mentioned before there is even a gag order in place preventing anyone from players all the way up to commissioner from criticizing officiating. Our best bet would be to hire refs from other conferences to review all the games and look for officiating errors. That would be very expensive. We do know though from recent comments made by AD Tom Osborne that the Big 12 does rate the officials and that the top crew will be at the Championship game.
By Jay Urban, December 19, 2010 @ 3:12 am
Several years ago then Coach Tom Osborne had petitioned the league to hire professional referees. Meaning he wanted officiating football to be their only jobs so they would have set requirements that would able them to be as compariable to the young athletes on the field. In short they should be able to pass physical test and written test.
By Tony, December 1, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
Richard, I agree with your article but I believe it goes even farther that. Should Nebraska not make a BCS bowl game, additional dollars is due to the league for leaving the conference. I firmly believe Beebe is trying to hold the Huskers back and force the university to pay more in order for Beebe to back his promises to the other schools.
For the Martin hit I believe it’s best to agree to disagree. I think it’s a clean hit. The action after the hit may be the reason behind the suspension. What ever happened to taking a knee when a player got hurt on the field regardless of team? I think the reason for the suspension was flawed. It appears no one learned from it.
Your article regarding the hit on Martinez (not mentioned), the Burkhead twist, and ahem, the Cotton ball incidence is spot on. The mere allowance of these actions to go unpunished is criminal on the part of the Big XII front office.
The latest claim by Beebe is the threats. The authorities should have been notified when the incident happened, not filed on Tuesday, several days (or weeks) after the fact. Something hinky is in the air.
I hope the title game will showcase the best Nebraska and Oklahome has to offer. I believe everyone (Beebe and the refs) will be on their best behavior as many more eyes (NCAA) will be watching.
GBR!!!
By Chris, December 1, 2010 @ 5:40 pm
Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated said Bo Pelini’s behavior on the sideline was Demonic…. Nice
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/stewart_mandel/11/24/mailbag.week13/index.html
By Doug C., December 2, 2010 @ 1:48 am
It really confuses me how the line judge who was running to the pile to spot the ball didn’t see what the ISU player was doing to Burkhead. He was right there and when the Neb. player pushed him to stop it then there is a foul.
Also they foul a player (Cotton) for blindly kicking back. That would be a clear indication that something happened. But instead he gets flagged twice for the same thing and they move them back 30 yards. This tells me that these officials were just looking for any excuse to throw their flags on the Neb team.
Look back at the NU vs UT game and you would see a NU player bump the UT player with his elbow and gets called for Pass interference. Later in the game a UT player does the same thing and no call. Ebven Kirk Herbstriet said the officials need to be consistant with their calls and that this was within view of the officials.
I don’t subscribe to conspiracies but it was obvious that NU got the shaft. But then to have the same officiating crew at each of these three games and NU has the worst games ever. And to top it off the Commisioner of the Big XII is not punishing these people. Sounds to me like he is actually happy that NU is leaving so that Texas (UT, TA&M, TT and Baylor) can continue to dominate the league. Good luck to the rest of the former Big 8 teams.
By Doug C., December 2, 2010 @ 2:07 am
I also forgot to mention the flagrant foul that was not called by the officials in the UT game. After being sacked a UT player was pushing down on Taylor MArtinez’s face mask in plain view of the official. Officials are supposed to be protecting the quarterbacks. I could talk about a couple of fouls where the NU payers got too excited and hit the opposing QB and were flagged. And I don’t mean in any other games just those 3 specific ones.
By Pat, December 2, 2010 @ 12:10 pm
Might as well give it a rest. Beebe is in Texas’s back pocket so don’t expect anything rational to be done by him. Just take great joy on the season that Big Dog Texas is having. Good bye and good riddance.
By Richard Okelberry, December 2, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
I believe Nebraska fans should keep pushing for an independent investigation of how the refs are reviewed and how the commissioner handles claims of flagrant fouls. This investigation should then be made public to help restore confidence in the “system.” In less than a week since these articles have been published here at Utah Free Press, over 320,000 people have read them. This is a huge number indicating that there is huge interest in having this issue resolved.
We also need to remember the Chancellor Perlman is the current Chairman of the Big 12 Board of Directors. He certainly should be able to use his influence to persuade the other board members that it is in the best interest of the Big 12 to air their dirty laundry so to speak and dedicate it’s self to assuring the highest standards of fair play and sportsmanship.
We also need to remember that any such action taken by the Big 12 will have a profound effect on the other conferences and will only help improve the game and the experience of the fans.
By Jay Urban, December 19, 2010 @ 2:51 am
I’m not sure that Harvey Perlman would have the cloudt any longer as we will be joining the big 10. I think I should rephrase that to say it might not be in our best interest. We still have a few sports competing in the big twelve and they are not as strong as the football program. There has been animosity between Nebraska and the Big twelve since the beginning. There are countless league votes that were 11-1 with the one being Nebraska. I think the best thing we can do now is laugh all the way to the bank and laugh at all the Universities that forgot the only reason their stadiums were full was because we came. Kansas, Kansas State, ISU, etc. their only sell outs were when they played us.
By robot polaris, December 2, 2010 @ 1:41 pm
This write up is nice. I’ll post in my blog and translate it in French.
By Jared, December 2, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
Fantastic, unbiased article. it’s about time people outside of Nebraska are taking notice of this issue.
By Craig, December 2, 2010 @ 3:04 pm
Beebe was scared to come to lincoln because he received some threats by phone and email. He should be scared of the NE football team. Even my 9 year old could kick his a$$.
By Steve Blank, December 3, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
The Big 12 Commissioner can’t be the last word, does the NCAA not have a say in this? Wouldn’t you think the NCAA would want to do the right thing?
By Jay Urban, December 19, 2010 @ 2:41 am
I really enjoy the in depth replies on the Utah Free Press and am appreciative of the thourough investigation done by Richard. As an athlete, coach, Baseball umpire, and a fan I am fortunate to see all points of view. I was really reluctant to see a conspiracy in the officiating of Husker games until I saw too many similarities in the games we lost and the close call at ISU. I do find that the Big Twelve like many conferences that have championship games select an All Star crew. Funny thing is none of the members who did the three games in question were selected for the championship game. By the way I believe that Don Beebee has been fibbing a bit to the media. I am told that the reported police report to the Dallas Police department was bogus. Dallas Police officials have indicated that it was not in their juristiction thus they were not investigating.