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Colorado Football Scandal
Written by: Erica Medina
Colorado Football Team Under Investigation
Since high school, we've all heard the rumors about athletes, more specifically football players, receiving special treatment from teachers. This scenario was epitomized in the movie, "Varsity Blues."
Once you hit college, those underground whispers are still there, but do not seem to be as prevalent. That is, until those whispers turn into shouts that turn heads and make headlines across the nation.
So goes the story of the University of Colorado football team scandal. Since former player, Katie Hnida, a place-kicker, says she was raped by a teammate in 2000, more women have come forward with their allegations of rape by Colorado football team members.
Coach Gary Barnett has stood behind his football players through the accusations, firmly stating that his players have never been involved in any such cases. He even went so far as to chastise Hnida after she brought forth her charges.
"It was obvious Katie was not very good," Barnett said while addressing the charges against the football team. "She was awful. Katie was a girl, and not only was she a girl, she was terrible. There's no other way to say it."
After giving his statement, Barnett felt the repercussions of the impulsiveness of his words when University President, Elizabeth Hoffman, placed Barnett on administrative leave for criticizing Hnida's on-field performance.
Hoffman was also dismayed by comments that are attributed to Barnett in a police report filed by another woman saying she had been raped by a football player.
The report quoted the woman saying that Barnett told her he "would back his player 100 percent" if rape charges were pursued. The woman declined to file charges.
Former Colorado football players have come to the defense of the suspended coach, saying he has provided discipline and morality for the team.
"His rules were strictly applied, suspending players or adding additional discipline for being late, dressing out of uniform or displaying any sort of conduct that did not meet the standards discussed in the player book," said Scott Nemeth, a former University of Colorado football player. "Gary Barnett is an upright, honest and moral man and I stand by him as my coach, my leader and my mentor."
Barnett is to remain on administrative leave, pending an investigation into the football team recruitment practices, which are said to include alcohol-fueled recruiting parties, escort services and strippers.
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