Not a “Standard” we can be proud of
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Jamie Gardner
I’ve learned over the years that you must, sometimes, take the good with the bad. It’s just part of life. However, we must be vigilant or proactive when we can to try to prevent the bad from happening.
The community got a black eye last week across the state when the Georgia High School Association handed down a hefty slap to the Appling County School System. The association found that our high school football program crossed the line regarding recruitment. Our 2024 football season is now erased. No team wins, no Region Championship, it’s like it never happened. The history books will now have the proverbial asterisk out beside the 2024 season. Truly, an embarrassment for the entire community.
In addition, what a truly sad day for the kids (the players) who put in all that work preparing for the season, and especially the seniors. All the long practices, workouts, conditioning, and weight training. Again, what will the record books show about the 2024 season?
I have often thought about the penalties that Pete Rose faced. Or what about the rumors of steroid abuse that surrounded Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa when home run records were being chased and crushed. What about the Chicago Black Sox? Regardless of your opinion, none of us forget times like this. They are bad. I bet most people couldn’t tell you anything about the 2015 Pirate football season, just 10 years back (maybe a few of the players could tell you it was a 5-5 season), but I’d bet money the 2024 season will be remembered for a long time due to this embarrassment.
Regardless, my hope is that this will not reflect on who and what Appling County is and is not. We are certainly not cheaters, and I refuse to let people think we are due to the actions of a few. Hopefully, the parties that are responsible will be dealt with in a swift and appropriate manner. Let us send a message loud and clear that this is not who we are.
I don’t believe this is “The Standard” our community signed up for and it is not the example we expect to be set for our children.
-Jamie Gardner
