nor what happened since in terms of meetings with Bronco, conditions placed etc., none of us can really judge the matter fairly. Bronco has shown a willingness to temper justice with mercy, he involves the leadership council or the entire team on matters quite a bit. I think without all the facts, the presumption should go toward it being handled appropriately.

It sucks for JJ. It sucks a lot. But ultimately, JJ has been at BYU a long time and has been around Bronco a long time. I seriously doubt he had any questions about the possible consequences of his actions when he made the choice to do the suspendable act. JJ suspended himself...with his own choice and his own actions. It sucks for him. And I truly feel empathy for him. I have no doubt he had this game circled from the time it showed up on the schedule. But when the time came to choose between what he probably wanted most and what he wanted now, he chose now. And he is living with the results of that choice.

In the Army it is often said that any time you walk past a problem, you've just created a new standard. Bronco doesn't walk past a lot of violations. He works with individuals. He involves team mates. He probably involves parents in many cases when appropriate. But in having that much involvement, all eyes are on him on whether or not he will enforce discipline. If he doesn't, the next time someone has to choose what they want most or what they want now it's a lot easier to choose the latter. And then easier. And easier.

I wish those players had not suspended themselves through their own choices. But they did. And Bronco is not sparing the rod and spoiling the child. He's teaching them the lessons that will endure beyond college football.