Pac Man Jones on ESPN's first take

[Lathum]

Is anyone else watching this?

It is amazing how stupid this man is. A few of his gems

Interviewer: " After all you have been through why go into a strip club in new york before your hearing?"

Pac Man: " To get something to eat"

Pac Man " I have to wrestle, I have to keep doing my thing. I have people to take care of. My mom, my cousins. I can't have them sitting around saying what next?"

hmmmm, maybe they could get jobs?

and my favorite

Interviewer " You have been arrested six times"

Pac Man " six? I've only been arrested 2 times"

lol.

[JS19]

i caught this one. i don't know where the hell he went to college and how long he stayed, but there is no way in hell he can complete a college level course. my 6 yr old cousin can put together better sentences.

[Lathum]

i caught this one. i don't know where the hell he went to college and how long he stayed, but there is no way in hell he can complete a college level course. my 6 yr old cousin can put together better sentences.

he went to West Virginia

[vex]

Noel who?

[Lathum]

Noel who?

huh?

[Captain2711]

Noel Devine, RB. Big WVU recruit who's like 18, barely/somehow qualified. I think he has a couple of kids too.

[Lathum]

Noel Devine, RB. Big WVU recruit who's like 18, barely/somehow qualified. I think he has a couple of kids too.

weird, it's as if you work for a college football program....

[Dr. Sak]

Devine's agent is Deion Sanders

[timmynausea]

In fairness, both Pacman and Devine grew up in terrible environments. Both of Devine's parents were dead of AIDS by the time he was 11 or 12, and basically all of the men in Pacman's family were dead by 20. His dad got shot when he was a toddler.

[Lathum]

In fairness, both Pacman and Devine grew up in terrible environments. Both of Devine's parents were dead of AIDS by the time he was 11 or 12, and basically all of the men in Pacman's family were dead by 20. His dad got shot when he was a toddler.

so thats an excuse to squander his talents by being an ass?

[oliegirl]

In fairness, both Pacman and Devine grew up in terrible environments. Both of Devine's parents were dead of AIDS by the time he was 11 or 12, and basically all of the men in Pacman's family were dead by 20. His dad got shot when he was a toddler.

Whoa. In fairness to who? If you grow up in that type of enviornment, shouldn't you choose to do everything possible to avoid ending up in that same situation, repeating history, whatever you want to call it? It seems to me that he's just using it as an excuse to further his bad behavior and bad choices in life.

[timmynausea]

Whoa. In fairness to who? If you grow up in that type of enviornment, shouldn't you choose to do everything possible to avoid ending up in that same situation, repeating history, whatever you want to call it? It seems to me that he's just using it as an excuse to further his bad behavior and bad choices in life.

First of all, he's never used that excuse. Even when mentioning it myself, I wasn't using it as an excuse for the stupid things he's done.

This thread has nothing to do with his legal problems anyway. You guys are making fun of the way he talks. I was just pointing out he was raised in the projects with no dad, and I don't think that's hilarious. OMG LOLZ

[Lathum]

You guys are making fun of the way he talks.

that was never my intention, I was mocking "what" he was saying, not how.

[oliegirl]

First of all, he's never used that excuse. Even when mentioning it myself, I wasn't using it as an excuse for the stupid things he's done.

This thread has nothing to do with his legal problems anyway. You guys are making fun of the way he talks. I was just pointing out he was raised in the projects with no dad, and I don't think that's hilarious. OMG LOLZ

It's not hilarious at all, but it's also not an excuse for anything. He went to college, if he didn't go to classes and realize what an amazing opporunity he had there, then that is his fault as much as it is the teachers who passed him just so he could play football. There are plenty of people in the world today who were raised in less than stellar circumstances, but chose to work their ass off to get out of it and rise above it rather than allow it to be an excuse used to defend them (as you are doing with him).

[timmynausea]

It's not hilarious at all, but it's also not an excuse for anything. He went to college, if he didn't go to classes and realize what an amazing opporunity he had there, then that is his fault as much as it is the teachers who passed him just so he could play football. There are plenty of people in the world today who were raised in less than stellar circumstances, but chose to work their ass off to get out of it and rise above it rather than allow it to be an excuse used to defend them (as you are doing with him).

The guy is a millionaire, so he has done OK for himself in that respect. If you want to argue facts instead of what you assume about him, he is back in college now to finish his last year toward a degree while he sits out suspended from the NFL this year. So clearly he has some interest in an education. Plus he passed classes legitimately for 3 years.

[timmynausea]

that was never my intention, I was mocking "what" he was saying, not how.

Fair enough. I do see some humor in the ridiculousness of Pacman's predicament. (The joke article about him having a strip club built in his house was funny.) I guess something about the way some of the stuff was worded along with people already making all the same assumptions about Noel Devine just rubbed me the wrong way.

[Warhammer]

It's not hilarious at all, but it's also not an excuse for anything. He went to college, if he didn't go to classes and realize what an amazing opporunity he had there, then that is his fault as much as it is the teachers who passed him just so he could play football. There are plenty of people in the world today who were raised in less than stellar circumstances, but chose to work their ass off to get out of it and rise above it rather than allow it to be an excuse used to defend them (as you are doing with him).

Hear, hear!

I get so sick of people making excuses for people. With our public education system (with all its faults) people that want to work hard to improve their lot can. If you work hard to get good grades, you can get into college. You can get student loans to pay for your college. They might cost a lot, but you can get the money to go to college. If you don't qualify for loans, you can probably qualify for grants. Heck, if you know those items are going to be issues, try to get scholarship money. There is a lot of money out there for some pretty wierd stuff that you can get a scholarship for.

Yet, here is someone that didn't have to go through all that. He had an opportunity to get an education. He chose not to take it seriously. That is his problem and his issue. No one is going to shed any tears over me if I can't support my family because I get a general studies degree rather than something I can do something with. Rather than make excuses for people, we should be teaching the young people of all walks of life the concept of personal responsibility and hold people accountable for their actions.

[Lathum]

Fair enough. I do see some humor in the ridiculousness of Pacman's predicament. (The joke article about him having a strip club built in his house was funny.) I guess something about the way some of the stuff was worded along with people already making all the same assumptions about Noel Devine just rubbed me the wrong way.

I never even heard of Noel Devine.

I just thought it was funny that in New York City he claims he was at a strip club to eat.

Not enough options for him?

[Galaril]

As Titans fan I can not believe they wasted a 5th overall draft pick on this punk ass hood.

[Eaglesfan27]

Hear, hear!

I get so sick of people making excuses for people. With our public education system (with all its faults) people that want to work hard to improve their lot can. If you work hard to get good grades, you can get into college. You can get student loans to pay for your college. They might cost a lot, but you can get the money to go to college. If you don't qualify for loans, you can probably qualify for grants. Heck, if you know those items are going to be issues, try to get scholarship money. There is a lot of money out there for some pretty wierd stuff that you can get a scholarship for.



Completely agree. Yes, some people have the "deck stacked against them" but people can rise above their circumstances. I just saw one kid today who is one of my favorites. He grew up in one of the worst projects in New Orleans and then after Katrina moved to one of the worst areas of Baton Rouge. He was in some bad situations, but he is now about to turn 18 and in the last year, I've seen him legitimately turn his life around. He's stayed drug free, he has stopped hanging around with his friends who are into a bad scene. He is reading constantly, trying to improve himself. He's actually won national awards for some of the stuff he has done in the last few months. He's a kid who is bright enough to go really far in life if he continues to work as hard as he has in the last 8-9 months. He's gone through so many bad things (including losing his dad to a murderer when he was very young) and risen above it all. I'm sure there are plenty of other people out there who do the same, and I think it is an injustice for anyone to allow themself to make that excuse for their failure to live up to their responsibilities as an adult.

[Captain2711]

weird, it's as if you work for a college football program....

BIG TIME college football program.

[Noble_Platypus]

The guy is a millionaire, so he has done OK for himself in that respect. If you want to argue facts instead of what you assume about him, he is back in college now to finish his last year toward a degree while he sits out suspended from the NFL this year. So clearly he has some interest in an education. Plus he passed classes legitimately for 3 years.

I wonder if he wasnt a star football player at WVU how many classes he would have "passed legitimately".

[timmynausea]

I wonder if he wasnt a star football player at WVU how many classes he would have "passed legitimately".

Jason Gwaltney was a 5 star running back recruit that chose WVU over USC and Ohio State. He flunked out of college after a semester. He tried to come back the following fall and get his grades in order to work his way back onto the team. He flunked out again. Brandon Barrett was a 4 star in state WR recruit that also chose WVU over Ohio State. After a huge spring game in '06, he was the talk of the town. He failed summer classes and flunked out before fall camp started. These guys were both much more highly regarded recruits than Pacman.

Pacman went to class and passed. He is also back in school now to finish up his degree. Obviously, with the massive signing bonus he got a couple years ago, he probably doesn't need a college degree, but it must mean something to him.

[oliegirl]

The guy is a millionaire, so he has done OK for himself in that respect. If you want to argue facts instead of what you assume about him, he is back in college now to finish his last year toward a degree while he sits out suspended from the NFL this year. So clearly he has some interest in an education. Plus he passed classes legitimately for 3 years.

Money isn't everything - as has been proved time and time again by people like Jones, Vick, Spreewell, Spears, Lohan, Hilton, etc... Being successful is more than having money in the bank and an Escalade for every day of the week.

And as for his being back in school while he is suspended...that to me is a moot point for 2 reasons:

1. If he wasn't suspended I doubt he would be working toward getting his degree, he'd just be checking his bank account and laughing at how much money he's making.

2. There isn't a doubt in my mind that his "decision" to go back to school was more a side effect of his PR Manager trying to do some damage control rather than Jones truly wanting to better himself. If it was the latter he'd be willing to admit to his errors and have a serious interview, instead of giving lame ass answers like "I went to a strip club to eat dinner". If he showed ANY remorse then maybe I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but at this point, in my mind he's just another thug.

[timmynausea]

2. There isn't a doubt in my mind that his "decision" to go back to school was more a side effect of his PR Manager trying to do some damage control rather than Jones truly wanting to better himself. If it was the latter he'd be willing to admit to his errors and have a serious interview, instead of giving lame ass answers like "I went to a strip club to eat dinner". If he showed ANY remorse then maybe I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but at this point, in my mind he's just another thug.

Actually when he left WVU early, he promised his mom he'd come back to get his degree some day. He has the time now.

Clearly if he even has a PR person, they aren't doing a very good job. He is definitely a nightmare client, though.

[Noble_Platypus]

Jason Gwaltney was a 5 star running back recruit that chose WVU over USC and Ohio State. He flunked out of college after a semester. He tried to come back the following fall and get his grades in order to work his way back onto the team. He flunked out again. Brandon Barrett was a 4 star in state WR recruit that also chose WVU over Ohio State. After a huge spring game in '06, he was the talk of the town. He failed summer classes and flunked out before fall camp started. These guys were both much more highly regarded recruits than Pacman.

Pacman went to class and passed. He is also back in school now to finish up his degree. Obviously, with the massive signing bonus he got a couple years ago, he probably doesn't need a college degree, but it must mean something to him.

Yes, because unlike every other college program, WVU doesnt sugarcoat it for their players. After hearing him on ESPN its obvious he worked hard in every class. I am COMPLETELY convinced he didnt get any breaks from the teachers or have someone do his wok for him.

[timmynausea]

Yes, because unlike every other college program, WVU doesnt sugarcoat it for their players. After hearing him on ESPN its obvious he worked hard in every class. I am COMPLETELY convinced he didnt get any breaks from the teachers or have someone do his wok for him.

Thankfully we have a number of experts on here who have heard him on ESPN.

[Swaggs]

Yes, because unlike every other college program, WVU doesnt sugarcoat it for their players. After hearing him on ESPN its obvious he worked hard in every class. I am COMPLETELY convinced he didnt get any breaks from the teachers or have someone do his wok for him.

He didn't earn a degree while at WVU. He managed to stay eligible for two-and-a-half years, so he could play football. All you have to do is take 12-hours a semester (which, surprisingly, some guys are not able to do).

[Swaggs]

BTW... breaking news: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/pac_man_jones_i_will_be_nowhere

LOS ANGELES—Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pac-Man" Jones called a press conference Tuesday in order to emphasize that he will be nowhere near a possibly fatal stabbing that will occur during a fight involving several members of his entourage and the bartender at an L.A.–area strip club this coming Friday.

Enlarge Image
"I just want people to know that I'm not going to be present at Shaker's, the club where possibly about to be deceased chump-ass bartender Darrent Wilson has been known to exchange harsh language and threats with my known associates, including kicking me and my people out of his establishment," said Jones, who is also currently being questioned by police concerning a recent shooting at an Atlanta strip club and is currently on suspension from the NFL following a melee and shooting in February at a Las Vegas strip club. "I am sorry for what is about to happen to this man, who will be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it will have had nothing to do with me."

Jones also took the opportunity to appeal once more to the NFL for leniency in a case of what he called "bad luck."

"I will be going to bed at midnight on Friday anyway, and the gentleman in question will not be knifed until about 3 a.m.," Jones added. "And about Wednesday I'm deciding to give up strip clubs anyway, since bad stuff can happen there, especially when employees act unreasonable. Just because I know the guys who will be there when this happens doesn't necessarily mean I knew it was going to happen."

The fight, which sources close to Jones say will apparently start as an argument over a woman, will involve Wilson and at least three as-yet unidentified members of Jones' group, although witnesses will not be able to place Jones at the scene. When contacted about the incident, Jones plans to promise to cooperate with authorities in their investigation and pray for Wilson's speedy recovery, if the bartender is alive at the time.

Jones stressed that no charges have yet been filed against him, saying that, although unfortunate, anticipation of the stabbing was "blowing the incident all out of proportion."

"This Saturday will mark my sixth arrest, or possibly seventh. I can't tell the future," Jones said, shaking his head in apparent anger. "Yet I won't get charged this time, either. They'll just be persecuting me for the stabbing that's going to happen because of the other stuff that already happened. Is that fair? I don't think that when Mr. Smart Mouth Darrent Wilson gets stabbed it should affect my career like that."

"You know that Darrent, the guy who's going to get tragically stabbed, has always had it in for me," Jones added. "By the time he gets put in the hospital or killed, he will have thrown me out of his club at least twice, and there's two days between now and the stabbing. I think he's going to use getting cut up as an excuse to get at my money, is what I think."

Manny Arora, Jones' attorney, said that Jones was "genuinely sorry in advance" about the incident, but was not at liberty to answer questions regarding his relationship with the one to three men who will be seen fleeing the vicinity covered in blood. Jones refused to confirm that the weapon to be used in the stabbing, a seven-inch pearl-handled hunting knife, will in fact be given to one of the men by Jones himself this coming Friday morning.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has already scheduled a rare Sunday meeting with Jones, demanding Jones be in his office as soon as news of the incident becomes public.

[rkmsuf]

Maybe the Iron Sheik will get a hold of him and make him humble.

[Noble_Platypus]

Thankfully we have a number of experts on here who have heard him on ESPN.

We are looking at how he speaks and conducts himself, instead of being a homer and treating him like a Harvard grad just because WVU didnt flunk him out when he was going there. Really, I dont think I am in the minority when I say that football players, especially star players, have an easier go at college than regular students.

[EagleFan]

Thankfully we have a number of experts on here who have heard him on ESPN.

You need to be an expert to be able to tell when someone sounds like an idiot whan they talk?

[molson]

He didn't earn a degree while at WVU. He managed to stay eligible for two-and-a-half years, so he could play football. All you have to do is take 12-hours a semester (which, surprisingly, some guys are not able to do).

Isn't that all a regular undergrad has to take?

College is pretty easy these days. For football players and everyone else. It's VERY difficult to "fail out" (I'm talking about normal, undergraduate, liberal-arts type schools).

A College education is honestly overrated sometimes. It's not for everyone. I don't know why we morally judge athletes for their decisions to participate or not participate.

[Swaggs]

We are looking at how he speaks and conducts himself, instead of being a homer and treating him like a Harvard grad just because WVU didnt flunk him out when he was going there. Really, I dont think I am in the minority when I say that football players, especially star players, have an easier go at college than regular students.

NP, I think timmy was trying to make the point that it is not unheard of for highly regarded players to be kicked off the team due to grades. Most folks don't know who Jason Gwaltney is/was, but he was easily the highest rated recruit WVU has ever gotten and he got the boot midway through his first semester for not attending classes.

Brandon Barrett was one of the few Parade All-Americans ever from the state of West Virginia and he was kicked off the team after his freshman year due to grades and then, managed to get himself eligible again and had a huge impact on the Blue-Gold Game (Spring Game) two Springs ago (he was highlighted on ESPN for it) and then he failed to keep his grades up and was kicked out.

We all know that every school has cake classes that athletes (and others) take, but folks should watch judging academic ability based on how people present themselves. I have autistic students that have difficulty carrying conversations, but are great readers and/or very good at mathematics. Just because someone doesn't carry on a coversation very well or cannot speak well, doesn't mean they cannot read well or take notes or tests well.

I will not defend how Pacman conducts himself. He has clearly been a loser over the past few years and squander a lot of God-given athletic ability and an incredible opportunity.

[Swaggs]

Isn't that all a regular undergrad has to take?

College is pretty easy these days. For football players and everyone else. It's VERY difficult to "fail out" (I'm talking about normal, undergraduate, liberal-arts type schools).

A College education is honestly overrated sometimes. It's not for everyone. I don't know why we morally judge athletes for their decisions to participate or not participate.

Exactly. It is pretty tough to fail out when you are athlete and are only attending college to play a sport.

During the season, you take 12-hours, probably some of them are PE courses AND you have a lot of extra support in the form of mandatory, monitored study halls and personal tudors. You are basically given five-years, including Summers, to graduate. Many kids make the most of it and earn graduate degrees, but the bare minimum is pretty pitiful, really.

[oliegirl]

We are looking at how he speaks and conducts himself, instead of being a homer and treating him like a Harvard grad just because WVU didnt flunk him out when he was going there. Really, I dont think I am in the minority when I say that football players, especially star players, have an easier go at college than regular students.


I'm completely with you...there have been SO many documented/proven cases of star players getting preferential treatment, teachers passing them, getting cash from alumni, receiving cars, etc...I think it's a little naive for someone to make a statement implying that because someone went to college then they must have been a good student applied themselves.

[timmynausea]

NP, I think timmy was trying to make the point that it is not unheard of for highly regarded players to be kicked off the team due to grades. Most folks don't know who Jason Gwaltney is/was, but he was easily the highest rated recruit WVU has ever gotten and he got the boot midway through his first semester for not attending classes.

Brandon Barrett was one of the few Parade All-Americans ever from the state of West Virginia and he was kicked off the team after his freshman year due to grades and then, managed to get himself eligible again and had a huge impact on the Blue-Gold Game (Spring Game) two Springs ago (he was highlighted on ESPN for it) and then he failed to keep his grades up and was kicked out.

We all know that every school has cake classes that athletes (and others) take, but folks should watch judging academic ability based on how people present themselves. I have autistic students that have difficulty carrying conversations, but are great readers and/or very good at mathematics. Just because someone doesn't carry on a coversation very well or cannot speak well, doesn't mean they cannot read well or take notes or tests well.

I will not defend how Pacman conducts himself. He has clearly been a loser over the past few years and squander a lot of God-given athletic ability and an incredible opportunity.

That's exactly what I was getting at, and I agree on all points. Very well said, Swaggs.

[timmynausea]

You need to be an expert to be able to tell when someone sounds like an idiot whan they talk?

People are literally saying they can tell there's no way he could ever pass a college class because they've heard him talk on ESPN.

[Noble_Platypus]

Swaggs, I understand waht you saying. I understood Timmy as saying that Pacman passed his classes just like everyone else at WVU. My point is that if the Man acts like an idiot and sounds like one to boot everytime he opens his mouth I am not likely to assume that he is is anything but an idiot. I agree that some people could not be good public speakers and still be really smart and good in school, but based on how he acts/sounds, the fact we have no idea what classes he supposedly passed, and the long history of colleges giving players, especially ones who bring in big money to the program, breaks in academics I find it nearly impossible to give him credit for what he supposedly did in school. You even say above how pitiful the bare minimum is, just because some other guys did even less than Pacman and were kicked out shouldnt be used to give Pacman any credit as a student.

[timmynausea]

We are looking at how he speaks and conducts himself, instead of being a homer and treating him like a Harvard grad just because WVU didnt flunk him out when he was going there. Really, I dont think I am in the minority when I say that football players, especially star players, have an easier go at college than regular students.

Go ahead and look up a strawman logical fallacy. At what point did I even come close to "treating him like a Harvard grad?"

I merely think the guy actually passed his classes in college, and I've cited examples of other star players that have flunked out at WVU. Do I think he took especially difficult courses? No. In fact, I'll venture a guess that his major was something like Athletic Coaching or etc.

He went to school and passed his classes. That's all.

[oliegirl]

NP, I think timmy was trying to make the point that it is not unheard of for highly regarded players to be kicked off the team due to grades. Most folks don't know who Jason Gwaltney is/was, but he was easily the highest rated recruit WVU has ever gotten and he got the boot midway through his first semester for not attending classes.

Brandon Barrett was one of the few Parade All-Americans ever from the state of West Virginia and he was kicked off the team after his freshman year due to grades and then, managed to get himself eligible again and had a huge impact on the Blue-Gold Game (Spring Game) two Springs ago (he was highlighted on ESPN for it) and then he failed to keep his grades up and was kicked out.

We all know that every school has cake classes that athletes (and others) take, but folks should watch judging academic ability based on how people present themselves. I have autistic students that have difficulty carrying conversations, but are great readers and/or very good at mathematics. Just because someone doesn't carry on a coversation very well or cannot speak well, doesn't mean they cannot read well or take notes or tests well.

I will not defend how Pacman conducts himself. He has clearly been a loser over the past few years and squander a lot of God-given athletic ability and an incredible opportunity.


You are right, it's not unheard of. However, I think the point that NP, myself, and others in this thread are trying to make is that jumping to the defense of someone like Jones and basically saying "well, he grew up without good male role models and was poor, etc...so that is why he presents himself the way he does" isn't necessarily right either. And I'd go so far as to say that although you can give 2 examples of star athletes being treated the "right" way, there are many many more examples of star athletes being given preferential treatment, and based on that, it's not completely crazy to look at someone like Jones and when he makes comments like that and can't string an intelligent sentence together, to draw the conclusion that he didn't take full advantage of his time in College and use it to really better himself. I don't know if that is true in his case or not, none of us do because we don't personally know him...it just seems more likely the case than anything else.

[timmynausea]

And I'd go so far as to say that although you can give 2 examples of star athletes being treated the "right" way, there are many many more examples of star athletes being given preferential treatment, and based on that, it's not completely crazy to look at someone like Jones and when he makes comments like that and can't string an intelligent sentence together, to draw the conclusion that he didn't take full advantage of his time in College and use it to really better himself.

It's not just 2 random examples. It's 2 examples of guys at the same school, at the same time, and under the same coaching staff as Pacman. Cheating has certainly happened at various times and places in college football, but I think when we can cite examples of bigger stars not getting preferential treatment in the same exact scenario, it's a lot more reasonable to conclude the guy actually passed his classes than not.

[Swaggs]

You are right, it's not unheard of. However, I think the point that NP, myself, and others in this thread are trying to make is that jumping to the defense of someone like Jones and basically saying "well, he grew up without good male role models and was poor, etc...so that is why he presents himself the way he does" isn't necessarily right either. And I'd go so far as to say that although you can give 2 examples of star athletes being treated the "right" way, there are many many more examples of star athletes being given preferential treatment, and based on that, it's not completely crazy to look at someone like Jones and when he makes comments like that and can't string an intelligent sentence together, to draw the conclusion that he didn't take full advantage of his time in College and use it to really better himself. I don't know if that is true in his case or not, none of us do because we don't personally know him...it just seems more likely the case than anything else.

I don't really know where you are coming from, as far as taking what you know right now and trying to determine what type of student he was in college and/or whether or not he used his time well. I can tell you that he had scholarship offers from Duke and Georgia Tech, which obviously have more difficult entry requirements than WVU, so I don't think he was a terrible student coming out of high school (I'm guessing a reasonable number of us, football or not, wouldn't be able to get into Duke) and there is no reason to believe he was not capable of doing well, academically, in college.

[oliegirl]

and there is no reason to believe he was not capable of doing well, academically, in college.


I never ever said that he was not capable of doing well in college...I said that knowing what we know, it's not unreasonable to think that he didn't give it his all and take full advantage of the college education/opportunity he was given.

[Swaggs]

I never ever said that he was not capable of doing well in college...I said that knowing what we know, it's not unreasonable to think that he didn't give it his all and take full advantage of the college education/opportunity he was given.

Well, I would counter that he took full advantage of his college experience and proved himself to be worthy, through workouts, interviews, background checks, and game performances, into being selected sixth overall in the 2005 draft and earned himself a pretty sizable guaranteed contract.

He has been a total creep since entering the NFL and making money, but your speculation of how he used his college opportunity is pretty far off.

I wish I would have had a multimillion dollar contact as a result of my time in college. :)

[Klinglerware]

I don't really know where you are coming from, as far as taking what you know right now and trying to determine what type of student he was in college and/or whether or not he used his time well. I can tell you that he had scholarship offers from Duke and Georgia Tech, which obviously have more difficult entry requirements than WVU, so I don't think he was a terrible student coming out of high school (I'm guessing a reasonable number of us, football or not, wouldn't be able to get into Duke) and there is no reason to believe he was not capable of doing well, academically, in college.

Yeah, Jones had an SAT score above 1100, which would have made him recruitable at Duke...

[molson]

I never ever said that he was not capable of doing well in college...I said that knowing what we know, it's not unreasonable to think that he didn't give it his all and take full advantage of the college education/opportunity he was given.

I still don't get how you know he did poorly in school, or didn't "take advantage". Whether it's true or not, you're just making an assumption based on sterotypes, nothing more.

Regardless, I'd say college prepared him pretty well for his current career.

[Noble_Platypus]

I still don't get how you know he did poorly in school, or didn't "take advantage". Whether it's true or not, you're just making an assumption based on sterotypes, nothing more.

Regardless, I'd say college prepared him pretty well for his current career.

As what, a potential convict or a wrestler?

[molson]

As what, a potential convict or a wrestler?

He's already made more money as a football player as the typical English major will make in their lifetime.

[oliegirl]

I still don't get how you know he did poorly in school, or didn't "take advantage". Whether it's true or not, you're just making an assumption based on sterotypes, nothing more.

Regardless, I'd say college prepared him pretty well for his current career.

I never said I knew one way or the other, I even went so far as to say it's not completely crazy to look at someone like Jones and when he makes comments like that and can't string an intelligent sentence together, to draw the conclusion that he didn't take full advantage of his time in College and use it to really better himself. I don't know if that is true in his case or not, none of us do because we don't personally know him... My point is that it's just as easy to assume the worst as it is to assume the best, based on previous knowledge.

Couldn't this same argument be made for any of the current starlets who are screwing up their lives? Take Paris Hilton...she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and had the world handed to her, but look at the horrible choices she has made. Would you say she has taken what she was given and truly appreciated it? I doubt it. How is that any different than me saying that based on the decisions Jones has made, I don't think (THINK being the operative word there) that he's truly appreciated and made the best of the opportunities he's been given. I said it before and I'll say it again, money doesn't always equal success.

[Swaggs]

As what, a potential convict or a wrestler?

He went there to play football (and presumably that was more important than getting a degree, since he left early) and was a top 10 NFL pick after his junior year.

Did Colorado prepare Rae Carruth to be a murderer? Or Washington prepare Ted Bundy to be a serial killer? Or Southern Cal prepare O.J. to be whatever he is?

[NoMyths]

He's already made more money as a football player as the typical English major will make in their lifetime.

Yeah, I'm all broken up that I'll never be able to make it rain and then punch out a stripper.

[Noble_Platypus]

He went there to play football (and presumably that was more important than getting a degree, since he left early) and was a top 10 NFL pick after his junior year.

Did Colorado prepare Rae Carruth to be a murderer? Or Washington prepare Ted Bundy to be a serial killer? Or Southern Cal prepare O.J. to be whatever he is?

Well then, mission accomplished. I guess the one NFL season he played (probably his one and only) makes him another success story for everyone.

[Logan]

During the season, you take 12-hours, probably some of them are PE courses AND you have a lot of extra support in the form of mandatory, monitored study halls and personal tudors.

Damn...what I would do for my own personal Pumpy.

[NoMyths]

During the season, you take 12-hours, probably some of them are PE courses AND you have a lot of extra support in the form of mandatory, monitored study halls and personal tudors.

Dang, English royalty has fallen on hard times.

[molson]

Yeah, I'm all broken up that I'll never be able to make it rain and then punch out a stripper.

You could if you wanted to - there's plenty of white collar types who have (I have no clue what your job/background is).

Pacman went to WVU to be an NFL star and make money. He succeeded. There's many paths to success in America. Not all involve sitting around listening to a professor lecture. That's a huge waste of time (and for some, money), for many people.

Then he allegedly committed criminal acts, and has thus risked thowing all that away. He'll have to live with that. Just like anyone else would, regardless of their background.

[Klinglerware]

You could if you wanted to - there's plenty of white collar types who have (I have no clue what your job/background is).

Pacman went to WVU to be an NFL star and make money. He succeeded. There's many paths to success in America. Not all involve sitting around listening to a professor lecture. That's a huge waste of time (and for some, money), for many people.

Then he allegedly committed criminal acts, and has thus risked thowing all that away. He'll have to live with that. Just like anyone else would, regardless of their background.

Agreed, and the lack of academic credentials doesn't preclude one from engaging in criminal activity. Look up the alma maters of the Unabomber and Scooter Libby...

[st.cronin]

I've known plenty of college graduates that come off as completely idiotic.

[NoMyths]

There's many paths to success in America.

And many definitions of success in America.

[molson]

And many definitions of success in America.

Very true. But many don't consider things like football stardum, hollywood success as "career success". Those are instead often viewed as freak occurences of good fortune, rather than something you have to work towards.

On the other hand, if someone throws away college and instead starts a successful business in the their basement, THAT'S a "success". Even if he doesn't go back to school to get his degree later.

[MikeVic]

Damn...what I would do for my own personal Pumpy.

Hah!

[WVUFAN]

Damn...what I would do for my own personal Pumpy.

I now have a Depeche Mode song in my head, substituting "Pumpy" for "Jesus". Thanks. :)

[Swaggs]

Damn...what I would do for my own personal Pumpy.

Doh!

Once I get that little guy on my mind, it is hard to get rid of him! :)

[Swaggs]

Well then, mission accomplished. I guess the one NFL season he played (probably his one and only) makes him another success story for everyone.

I respect everyone's opinions, even if I don't agree with them on this, so one more thought here:

I went to college so that I could learn a trade and enhance my high school education. I didn't go to college to learn ethics or the difference between right and wrong--I did that growing up, through my parents, family, church, sports, etc.

While in college, I think Pacman clearly honed his trade (football) and, aside from some unsubstantiated suppositions here and there, enhanced his high school education, even though he never graduated. He obviously did not have the benefit that I had growing up, as far as learning right from wrong and how to avoid extreme asshattery.

So, yes, I think his career success is pretty impressive, even if it is short-lived. His personal life, obviously not so much.

[Sweed]

Well, I would counter that he took full advantage of his college experience and proved himself to be worthy, through workouts, interviews, background checks, and game performances, into being selected sixth overall in the 2005 draft and earned himself a pretty sizable guaranteed contract.

He has been a total creep since entering the NFL and making money, but your speculation of how he used his college opportunity is pretty far off.

I wish I would have had a multimillion dollar contact as a result of my time in college. :)


And what if he'd suffered a catastrophic injury in his final college game ending his ability to play football?

What it he'd never been injured but during medical exams by NFL teams, before the draft, he had been found to have some condition (heart, spine, etc) that would never allow him to play pro football?

Would you still think he took full advantage of his time in college?

[Noble_Platypus]

Do you really think WVU is going to highlight Pacman as one of their "successful" alums?

[oliegirl]

Do you really think WVU is going to highlight Pacman as one of their "successful" alums?

Maybe the state of VA will have a College Football Hall of Fame, and their first 2 inductees can be Pacman Jones and Michael Vick...

[st.cronin]

Don't forget Marcus, he was good too.

[timmynausea]

Maybe the state of VA will have a College Football Hall of Fame, and their first 2 inductees can be Pacman Jones and Michael Vick...

Believe it or not West Virginia and Virginia are entirely separate states.

[rkmsuf]

Believe it or not West Virginia and Virginia are entirely separate states.

they all look the same to you, eh Costanza?

[st.cronin]

Believe it or not West Virginia and Virginia are entirely separate states.

That's right, Virginia only freed their slaves at gunpoint. West Virginia did so willingly.

[oliegirl]

Believe it or not West Virginia and Virginia are entirely separate states.

LOL...you are right, but they should share a Hall of Fame :)

[Swaggs]

And what if he'd suffered a catastrophic injury in his final college game ending his ability to play football?

What it he'd never been injured but during medical exams by NFL teams, before the draft, he had been found to have some condition (heart, spine, etc) that would never allow him to play pro football?

Would you still think he took full advantage of his time in college?

Great point.

What if you finished up your degree, got a job, and then had a stroke or seizure that completely disabled you?

[Swaggs]

LOL...you are right, but they should share a Hall of Fame :)

You should have taken advantage of your time in geography class.

[EagleFan]

Great point.

What if you finished up your degree, got a job, and then had a stroke or seizure that completely disabled you?

LOL, you can't be seriously trying to act like this is the same thing?

[Swaggs]

LOL, you can't be seriously trying to act like this is the same thing?

To be fair, I was replying to the second part of the questions there. But, let me elaborate a bit more, since I did oversimplify things way too much there.

To the first part (if he had suffered a catastrophic injury in his final game...), it is pretty impossible to know, since he left healthy and three semesters early to take a very high paying job. He had remained eligible, so all indications are that, had he continued to play in college and then gotten injured in the final game of his senior season, I'm sure his scholarship would have been honored and he could have finished up and gotten his degree and, like the rest of us when we finish high school/college/military, pursued a job in his chosen field. You can debate whether or not he would have wanted to finish college, whether or not he would have gotten depressed over the injury, whether or not he would have pursued a position in the field he was studying, or whether or not he would have just dropped out and gone back to Atlanta to rejoin his former friends and gotten into trouble, but it is pretty impossible to know for sure.

I was replying more to the second part (no visible injuries, but a hidden medical condition found that prevents him from playing football). It is kind of a reach to make a point like this and that was what I was replying to. The players undergo testing and receive physicals each collegiate season. I know, in the past at WVU, if a player has a heart condition or disabling knee injuries (even if it is not from one particular sports-related injury), their scholarships are honored and they are allowed to continue to get their degrees. So, I guess we are taking the leap that he would have forgone his senior season, entered the draft (while dropping out of school), and then having a hidden injury discovered that caused him to not be drafted, even though previous doctors and demanding physical tests did not... then he would probably be SOL if he wanted to continue playing football, I would guess--in much the same you or I would be if we had a medical condition that prevented us from doing our job. The good news for him would be that, if he wanted to obtain a college degree, he would be less than 2 years away from getting it if he so desired. I know plenty of folks that dropped out of college to take decent paying jobs that they ended up losing and I wouldn't blame that decision on not taking advantage of their time in college. Unexpected things, like injuries and health problems, happen and there is little you can do to prevent them. Pacman's problems have all been preventable and brought on by him, either directly or through the people he has chosen to associate himself with.

This thread has turned pretty silly, really. There are so many different reasons to criticize this guy's (poor choices, thuggish behavior, inability to make the most out of his talent, ridiculous media/public appearances), that I guess I just cannot understand why people are criticizing his course of action prior to joining the NFL. Sure, things happened in his life that could have derailed him from getting to the NFL and other things could have happened to him to keep him from getting there, but the fact is that his huge legal problems took place shortly after he became an NFL player and got a huge amount of money.

[WVUFAN]

Given the money and opportunities the NFL presents, I'm not sure why people turn down their noses when kids go to college specifically to get into the NFL. It's a career like any other. Same with basketball.

If Jones went to school so he could go to the NFL, more power to him.

[CU Tiger]

I have no problem with a player leaving college earrly to go into the NFL.
My olf college roommate leeft early to go into the NFL even though he was told it was only 50/50 he'd be drafted. He now plays in the CFL. BTW he was raised without a father, in the projects, with a single other that worked 2 and 3 jobs to support him. (As was I, which is an aside I will return to in a second) His brother was murdered in front of him for refusing to allow him to give his sneakers to a local drug dealer when he was 12. Funny thing is, he has never been arrested, Ive never heard him swear (off the football field actually), he was one of the most respectful, dignified people I ever met. We often had conversation about how we had all the excuses in the world to fail, if we wanted excuses, but we wanted success not excuses.

He makes a nice living supports his mom and sister with his CFL career amd got his degree by going back in the summers. I own my own busineess and have a nice comfortable life, and spoil my kids with stuff I cried myself to sleep wanting. So environment is no excuse. At somee point it comees down to the individual. Either you decide to accept failure, or you refuse to
allow it in your life, and you rise above your circumstance.

Now on to Pacman and specifically this interview.
1) He said he went into a strip club to eat
2) he said theree were no girls in the strip club
If he is dumb enough to think people believe this BS, we dont need a transcript to judge his intelligence.
3) the thing that chaps my tail is near the endd of the interview whn askeed how soon he would be back on the field he said, "I am doing the right stuff I will be back by week 10 or maybe earlier if Goodell (sp?) will allow it. So if you are listening Goodell remember that"
That shows a total lack of respect. in the professional busineess environemnt you do not refer to him as Goodell, Mr. Goodell - sure. Commissioner Goodell - fine as well even Roger maybe ok, but Goodell is not appropriate.

It shows a lack of class and decorum that any college exposed individual should have acquired.

Im sorry I dont care where he went to school Pacman is trash. Plain and simple and until he decides he wants more from his life than to be like he was raised he is doomed to end up there. The point was made in this thread that he has made more money than any enlish major ever would. And its a valid point. But based on his actions, I think its a safe bet that if he doesnt change his life we will be in much worse financial shape than the average english major by the time he is 60. Income does not equal success, not even financially. Jones agent reportedly has said the reason Pacman needs to wrestle is to pay his bills as he is neealry broke. What a success this fine citizen is....

[JonInMiddleGA]

The fans at tonight's PPV were not impressed, booing steadily through Pacman's intro. Best I've seen so far was fans at ringside (in front of the hard cam shot) doing the money shower as he climbed into the ring (and it wasn't meant as a tribute).

Jones said his goal in TNA was to show the world that "he's the best team player that ever lived".

That was followed by a staredown with former 2x World Champion Ron Killings who welcomed Jones to "the snakepit" and explained that wrestling was about individuals, not teams (Jones took off his shirt in response). Killings said that Jones contract "got his butt in a sling a little bit" since he couldn't touch anybody or be touched "ain't that a bitch". (fans pick up a "He's a bitch" chant). Killings warned Jones that he better watch his back, cause there's a locker room full of superstars who wanted a piece of him, in the ring, in the arena, at his home, at the picnic, etc. Pacman says there's nothing between them but air & opportunity, Killings charges the ring but is stopped by the private security guys that the announcers had been hyping all night (needed since all the publicity, etc).

Great promo work by Killings, actually better than I expected by Jones (which ain't saying much but still).

edit to add: A few minutes later, we cut to the back and see Jones lying on the ground with "blood" over his eye and grabbing his shoulder as the victim of an apparent attack backstage. The announcers (over)sold it as though it were the most dramatic occurrence in wrestling history or something.

editing to add further: We've just been shown Pacman being stretchered out, wearing a neckbrace.:rolleyes:

[miami_fan]

Evidently, Jones did another interview this time with Bryant Gumbel on HBO. Where is this guy's lawyer in all of this? Where is his agent? Why is he continuing to allow his client to give bad interview after bad interview?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Because sometimes, clients simply don't listen to their agents or their lawyers. Believe me. Adam Jones would seem to fit the profile quite well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Ladies & Gentlemen, your winners and NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions ... Ron "The Truth" Killings and Adam "Pacman" Jones ...
TEAM PACMAN !!!

Pacman pins Sting after a sneak attack on Sting by his partner Kurt Angle. Angle was angry with his partner after Mrs. Angle faked being slapped by Sting.

Repeatedly Jones refused to tag in to help Killings, but a desperation tag by Truth moments before the sneak attack by Angle put him in position to get the win.

[Eaglesfan27]

I thought there was an injunction that prevented him from actually wrestling?

[JonInMiddleGA]

I thought their was an injunction that prevented him from actually wrestling?

Yep, and it worked. He never did anything more physical than the pin, a simple cover of the knocked out Sting (although I thought the injunction wording prevented any physical contact whatsoever).

[molson]

Yep, and it worked. He never did anything more physical than the pin, a simple cover of the knocked out Sting (although I thought the injunction wording prevented any physical contact whatsoever).

LOL @ TNA

[JonInMiddleGA]

LOL @ TNA

Laugh hell, more like weep.

And they wonder why comparisons to the waning days of WCW are becoming more and more popular.