Life and Basketball

Until yesterday, I was unaware that two seniors on the University of Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team each experienced personal tragedies earlier this week. One player, Rodrick Stewart, lost his brother and another, Darnell Jackson, lost his cousin. Both individuals were felled by gunshots.

This is too sad for words. Most males at colleges across the country are stressed out about their grades, whether they'll make the cut in their fraternity, or whether the girl in Psych class is interested in them. And if you're playing sports, then you're worried about performing at a superior level, which the Jayhawks have been doing almost the entire season.

But Stewart and Jackson now have the additional burden of dealing with the loss of a loved one in a senseless manner.

It's really scary how this kind of thing doesn't get that much attention anymore because we're getting used to it but I will never get used to it. We really have to continue to be outraged, people. Once it becomes acceptable or the norm, we will lose all chance that we have to right this ship. I know I already said this once a few days ago, but I am convinced that mentoring can go along way toward this recovery. Just a thought.

My condolences to these two players and their families.