Editorial

UNL athletes tripped up by online exploits

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

One of the early allures of the Internet was the chance to assume a new identity and inhabit a fantasy world.

But, while role-playing games continue to be popular on the Web, the barrier between that innocent virtual world and the harsh, dangerous physical world was broken long ago.

Each televised predator sting and law enforcement news release brings a reminder that one can get in big trouble on the Internet.

The latest casualties are two University of Nebraska-Lincoln wrestlers who were kicked off the team for appearing naked or partially clothed on a gay porn site.

Technically, Paul Donahoe and Kenny Jordan were dismissed from the team because they violated a NCAA rule prohibiting athletes from appearing in pictures for commercial use.

It wasn't that they didn't know what they were doing. They were well paid, according to the operator of the site, who described their compensation as "better than beer money."

Neither, apparently, was it that they were innocent before the Web site incident; both had previous run-ins with the Lincoln police over issues like underage drinking, trespassing, assault, maintaining an disorderly house and having an open alcohol container in a vehicle.

Now, if they want to continue their wrestling career, both athletes will have to apply to the NCAA for reinstatement. We doubt the porn site pay was enough to compensate for the loss of a college degree.

More than one student or adult has found themselves forced to answer for something carelessly posted on a social networking site, fired from a job or denied one because of something that appeared online.

An extreme case, perhaps, but the case of the Cornhusker wrestlers should be a reminder for us all, especially high school and college students, to be careful where we leave our electronic fingerprints.

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we must remember this generation has a completely different attitude regarding 'being naked' and 'pornography'. and frankly, i am happy this is the case. as a generartion x'er it's nice to know the new generation has this freer attitude which will ulitmately move our fine Country into the 21st century.

and i think it absolutly and outrageously silly to mention 'Neither, apparently, was it that they were innocent before the Web site incident; both had previous run-ins with the Lincoln police over issues like underage drinking, trespassing, assault, maintaining an disorderly house and having an open alcohol container in a vehicle'.

umm, has the author of this article and the authors of the many articles written regarding Donahue and Jordan had the priveledge of attending college? if so, not only are they hypocrits but complete idiots to write something like this.

although Donahue and Jordon 'got caught' their 'crimes' are committed by approximately 99% of all college students - at least this was my experience and the experience of everyone I know who attended college.

It is my hope these two fine atheletes have the maturity to disregard the contemptuousness of the masses and understand they can do anything they want so long as their behaviour does not hurt others - and to remember the golden rule of doing unto others as you would have them to do you -

I think the real criminal is the group who searches the Internet looking for college wrestlers who in our free country pose nude and then reports them like little children tattle telling - this was surely frowned upon in the very loving and wonderful home in which I was reered.

And I wonder if in fact the site the two young men had posed for had been geared towards straight women and not gay men if this would even be an issue.

One more thing, it is revolting to read that they 'brought shame' to the team.

Get a life.

And please forgive any misspelled words:)

-- Posted by urbanite on Thu, Aug 14, 2008, at 3:51 PM
hypocrits and idiots? laughable! i attended college and i would dispute your 99% figure. most students attend college for the education and opportunities that a college education offers, not to flout the norm. call me an old fogey, stick in the mud, or whatever you will, but i believe if you wish to take advantage of the "norm", you should also be prepared to accept the consequences of flouting such. apparently you would approve of an open society with absolutely no rules?

-- Posted by doodle bug on Sat, Aug 16, 2008, at 10:42 AM

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