Buckskin86
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Doug Plank, a former NFL safety who played for Woody Hayes at Ohio State from 1971-7, understands the cult of personality in college football.
Hayes was an icon, just like Paterno. He was a tyrant, often physical with his players. And at the Gator Bowl in Dec. 1978, an irate Hayes reacted to an interception by punching a player on the opposing team.
He was fired a day later, at age 65.
?In college, most places feel like a compound, like you?re in your own little world,? Plank said. ?When you get guys who have been around forever, you can see how egos get out of control. You can be intoxicated into thinking that you are really that good.?
Yet Plank also thinks the Sandusky scandal will be the last of its kind.
Let?s hope he?s right.
?A few years ago, I was with the New York Jets and (head coach) Rex Ryan gave an impassioned speech to the team,? Plank said. ?By the time I walked back to the office, my wife had called me and said, ?I understand Rex was very emotional, that he had tears in his eyes.?
?I sat there stunned. This is how fast times are changing. The days of keeping quiet are gone. Anything that happens goes viral in five minutes. In the past, people felt they could operate with stealth, and do it without knowledge getting out. Those days are gone. And that?s a good thing.?
http://www.azcentral.com/2012/review/news/articles/20121227story-of-year-bickley.html
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