WildcatRick
07-26-2008, 11:54 AM
Last April, Jeremy Jarmon transformed himself from a defensive end at the University of Kentucky into a backup quarterback from Compton, Calif., who felt his prospects in college were being hindered by "institutional racism." Many of his teammates felt the same way, and some resorted to taking steroids in hopes of securing more playing time. Then the punter died.
"This is all in the play," said Jarmon, clarifying what could have been a huge misunderstanding.
He was playing the role in "Weak/Side/Help," a student production that offered the latest proof of Jarmon's unusual talents. A junior from Houston High who has emerged as Kentucky's defensive leader, Jarmon acts. He studies politics. He plans to get involved in international diplomacy, perhaps with the CIA or the FBI. He clobbers quarterbacks. He erases stereotypes about college athletes.
"There's a lot of opportunities for athletes to do positive things and take advantage of what college campuses have to offer," he said.
And so he regrets having to put his French minor on hold, largely because of the rigors of his schedule. He expects to be busy this fall.
The pendulum has swung at Kentucky, where the Wildcats' offense had carried the team in recent years. But as coach Rich Brooks acknowledged Friday at SEC Football Media Days, the team's reputation for high-wire pyrotechnics -- quarterback Andre Woodson took his arm with him to the NFL -- will fade this season in favor of something much more basic: Kentucky will try to prevent opponents from scoring.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/26/sec-football-media-days-2008-its-no-act/
"This is all in the play," said Jarmon, clarifying what could have been a huge misunderstanding.
He was playing the role in "Weak/Side/Help," a student production that offered the latest proof of Jarmon's unusual talents. A junior from Houston High who has emerged as Kentucky's defensive leader, Jarmon acts. He studies politics. He plans to get involved in international diplomacy, perhaps with the CIA or the FBI. He clobbers quarterbacks. He erases stereotypes about college athletes.
"There's a lot of opportunities for athletes to do positive things and take advantage of what college campuses have to offer," he said.
And so he regrets having to put his French minor on hold, largely because of the rigors of his schedule. He expects to be busy this fall.
The pendulum has swung at Kentucky, where the Wildcats' offense had carried the team in recent years. But as coach Rich Brooks acknowledged Friday at SEC Football Media Days, the team's reputation for high-wire pyrotechnics -- quarterback Andre Woodson took his arm with him to the NFL -- will fade this season in favor of something much more basic: Kentucky will try to prevent opponents from scoring.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/26/sec-football-media-days-2008-its-no-act/