If you were like me during Labor Day Weekend you were watching all kinds of football and I happened to catch the ending of the high school game between Dwyer (FL) and Glenville (OH). Right before coverage of the game went off air you saw Dwyer Tight End, Nick O'Leary visibly upset and throwing a middle finger towards the opposing side of the field.
That middle finger salute did not really bother me considering the following: the kid is 18 years old, the other team was probably doing some taunting, and the officials failed to signal a touchdown when it was clear Dwyer crossed the end zone with under 10 seconds to go. All the reasons for a kid to be frustrated.
Then I read that Nick O'Leary has been suspended for two games by the Florida High School Athletic Association for his actions. My reaction was why? Would O'Leary be punished if his actions weren't caught on camera in front of a national television audience on ESPN? My answer is no.
The actions of O'Leary can be found on any high school football field on Friday nights. Kids talk trash, make obscene gestures, hit after the whistle, illegally chop block, and taunt each other on a weekly basis. As much as it should not be a part of the game, it always will be.
The focus of the FHSAA should not be punishing a high school player for being upset and angry over his team getting screwed out of a victory by the officials. Let's hold the officials accountable for once because they clearly did not earn their paychecks for this game.
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