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It's about time Knight's behavior is finally Branded unacceptable
Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum touches on a Hot Button issue each Monday on CNNSI.com. After you read Jack's take, give us yours. And see what other users had to say Considering the negative responses I received to a throw-away paragraph about Bob Knight in last week's column on Joe Paterno, I can only imagine how, in light of Sunday's firing of the Indiana University coach, my opinion will be received. But here goes: YIPPPPPEEEEE! YAHOOOOOO! Contrary to what his fans think, Knight's dismissal does not spell the downfall of the republic; instead, Sunday was one of the great sports days of the year. The firing of Knight -- following his alleged grabbing of an IU freshman who called him by his last name -- was long overdue. Take down your trophies and clean out your desk, dude. Good riddance. See you later. Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out. Sayonara. I can almost hear the stuck-pig squealing of the Knight apologists, who, incidentally, have already shown their true colors by sending threatening E-mail to the 19-year-old whom Knight allegedly grabbed. They're saying, Can you imagine getting fired for trying to correct the egregious manners of this rude kid?
Anyway, did you hear what Brand said during Sunday's press conference? He said the grabbing was only the latest in a series of incidents that, incredibly, have occurred since the zero tolerance policy was imposed on the coach. Knight has refused to communicate with his boss, IU athletic director Clarence Donninger (probably because megalomaniacs feel they don't have bosses). Knight insulted a high-ranking female university employee, something he has reportedly done before. Knight symbolically spat on his sanctions by canceling several scheduled appearances with alumni groups. Finally, Knight would not accede to Brand's request to cancel a fishing trip -- a fishing trip! --while the police investigated the grabbing incident. This isn't a man looking to continue coaching in a university community; this is a man thumbing his nose at all authority and saying, "I'm going to keep acting the way I've always acted. Let's see if you have the stones to fire me." Well, Brand -- at long last -- did. Sports Illustrated senior writer Jack McCallum writes about a Hot Button issue every Monday on CNNSI.com. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the
writer.
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