There is another bad one. Since I am generally a happy guy, I will take the good one first. It is no secret that I am a huge Tennessee fan, born and raised (and damn proud of it). If you haven’t read the feel-good story about fan favorite Chris Lofton battling testicular cancer last May, then you have to check it out.
ESPN: Tennessee’s Lofton quietly faced and beat cancer
A random NCAA drug test of Lofton during last year’s March Madness came back positive, not for drugs, rather, but for cancer. High levels of hCG showed up, which can be for one of three things: steroids, pregnancy, or a tumor marker. It was a stroke of luck for the best three-point shooter in Volunteer history, as he underwent radiation treatment and beat it, just like he has beat adversity so many times in his basketball playing career.
So many people criticized Lofton for playing terribly in last years Pan-Am tryouts, and now we know why. He had just finished fighting the biggest battle of his life, yet somehow he still manned up and did what was expected of him. Coach Bruce Pearl had this to say about his playing career and character:
But what I also can tell you is this: That jersey, No. 5, is going to be hanging in the rafters in Thompson-Boling Arena, joining Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King and Dale Ellis or Allan Houston to follow. No. 5 is going to be there. Chris Lofton leaves his mark in such a way as a Volunteer to have overcome this, to have not hidden and to have not allowed it to beat him.
Thanks to Lofton for a lot of enjoyment in the past few years rooting for my Vols, and here’s to a successful NBA Draft and subsequent career! He is a special kid, and what he lacks in size and speed, he is going to make up for with work ethic and heart. Some NBA team is going to be lucky to get him.
Also, go check out the Ladies…, who sound off on Lofton, too. Just don’t pay attention to their Bruce Pearl hateration.
Now, for the bad story. For every guy you get like Chris Lofton, there is one (or two in this case) that has character issues and off-the-court problems. The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting tonight that juniors Duke Crews and Ramar Smith have been dismissed from the team and will not be returning next year. KNS stated that, “Violations of UT’s substance abuse policy and academic shortcomings contributed to both departures.” This is unbelievable to me. How many players are going to be punished or kicked off the team (in both basketball AND football) until these kids realize that this kind of crap is not going to fly? We have sent so many promising young athletes home early for this very same behavior. Remember Major Wingate getting booted off as a senior two off-seasons ago? Obviously Crews and Smith didn’t. And what the hell is Crews doing smoking the reefer anyway, what with his heart condition and all?
Hopefully, these two young men will learn some valuable lessons from this and get themselves back on track.
