Readers respond to Hornsby’s actions

mcnealr1 Baby Gator: Posted May 09, 2008 10:31 AM

"As a Gator fan, I feel this is the lowest of the low. Wasn't this the young lady that was dating his teammate Joe Haden?

He needs to be dismissed immediately, and there should not be any stipulations for him to return to the team.

I used to like Hornsby, but he always came across as a little immature, but his actions are beyond words!

I feel embarrassed and I feel for the girl's family."

hcgator Freshman Gator: Posted May 09, 2008 10:54 AM

"I've supported every single Gator that has ever been kicked off a team that I've known of. I've always agreed that they should have been kicked off, but I've supported them and wished them well. I've been glad to see Marcus Thomas do all right with the Broncos. I've been happy to see Jason Williams in the NBA, and so on and so forth.

But IF Jamar really did this, I have no love, no support for the young man.

Of all the horrible sports stories I've ever heard, I've only heard of two that are worse: that college punter attempting to injure the other punter for playing time and the college basketball player who got his teammate killed over drugs or a girl (I can't remember which, but I think it happened in Texas).

Some of us know what it is like to lose someone. And to have that memory defiled like this is inexcusable?!?

If Jamar is guilty of this and Urban doesn't kick him off the team, then I'll NEVER attend another Gator football game as long as Jamar is a part of the program."

Cosmos Memphis Tigers Fan: Posted May 09, 2008 11:08 AM

"Wow.

I must say these posters are certainly not Nole or Cane fans. They would be shaking the bushes to find a way to fix the bad publicity to keep him on the team.

Are you sure you're incognito operatives trying to put out false propaganda about Gator fans with integrity but secretly working damage control to keep this thug?

This show of outrage does not compute."

IJGator Redshirt Gator: Posted May 09, 2008 11:19 AM.

"Extremely disappointed. I can think of no justification of Hornsby remaining on the team.

This kind of behavior should not be tolerated in any form at the University of Florida."

gatorsid Senior Gator: Posted May 09, 2008 12:52 PM

"This is the reason I don't sit around perched on a proverbial news wire scouring opponents' players to attack the player and team, when their players get in trouble. Every year we are always going to have a young person doing something stupid. All teams live in glass houses with respect to player trouble.

I would love to defend Hornsby staying on the team. If he was allowed to pay a price (financial restitution; football-related physical punishment; court appointed punishment and service hours; apology to parents; UF community service; suspension of some games; make him come back with the freshman and get treated like a freshman) and stay at UF, I would support that.

I do believe people can commit real bad offenses and not be inherently bad apples. If the person committed a dumb act, punish them. Punish him so bad that the average person would quit and go elsewhere. But if he is willing to endure a significant punishment, it will build his character and give him a chance to prove his devotion to being a good person and being a Gator.

I believe people can pay the price for their mistakes. But I understand how it is with the Gator Nation; if you do something bad, it is excommunication of the highest order, no chance for redemption, no chance to prove it was poor judgment. So, he will not be able to live it down at UF. He would be better off leaving, even if he was allowed to stay with massive amounts of punishment to overcome.

He would actually pay a higher price staying at UF. If he gets kicked out, the following is likely to happen:

- He was not going to play a whole lot or start at UF, he gets a chance to go somewhere and redshirt and have two years to play and start. If he stayed at UF, the staff would not redshirt him so he would burn this year.

- He could go I-AA and start somewhere next year and get to play the fun game of football.

- If he leaves, he will not be forced to do any university or football-related restitution; only what the court may appoint.

So for those of you who love justice and like to see a player's hide on the wall for transgressions, he will suffer a whole lot less getting kicked out... but it will make for better PR. It is a win-win for Hornsby and UF.