A lot has been made of the Mark Sanchez decision to go to the NFL and the subsequent controversy of Pete Carroll’s reactions to that decision. I was going to write an article about that, but my daughter, in her school newspaper, wrote one and did a much better job that I ever could, so with her permission, here is her story…
An Editorial by Kimberly Castro
Betrayed
As many of you who have seen me walking across campus with one of my USC-themed outfits on and either gave me the victory sign or responded by using another finger, my allegiance to the college of my dreams is unquestionable.
I have had the thrill and pleasure of meeting and talking to their legendary head coach Pete Carroll, and have listed him as one of my role models. In addition to being one of the finest football coaches around, Coach Carroll does a lot of work in the Los Angeles community to battle gangs and generally try to spread good will throughout the region.
But even the ones we look up are infallible, and on Thursday morning, Coach Carroll made the world a little less sunnier and a lot more realistic to me.
Mark Sanchez is the USC quarterback, and been on the team for four seasons, and last season was his first as a starter and he did an admirable job. I’m not the highest authority on football, but according to my dad and others mark was inconsistent, brilliant at times not so great at others, but was a great leader and possesses great skills.
Mark had an outstanding game in the rose bowl, throwing for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in leading the Trojans to a win, capping a 12 win, one loss season, and the USC team was considered by most the second best team in the country.
Mark was eligible to come out for the NFL draft, and to the surprise and disappointment of many, including myself, he chose that route instead of returning for a 5th season. He was “red shirted” his freshman year, thus making him eligible an additional year.
My dad explained to me that if he did well in tryouts, he could be expected to be selected within the first 15 picks, making him an instant millionaire in the chosen field of his dreams. While my dad thought he should return to gain more experience, he applauded his decision, pointing out to me that he was a student athlete and was on schedule to graduate this spring. While I initially was angry that Mark was nothing but, as I texted my dad, “a money hungry idiot”, my dad pointed out to me that your goal in college is to graduate and to put yourself in position to get a job in your chosen field, and Mark had accomplished that.
I am an American born citizen, but I am also a very proud Mexican American, as is Mark Sanchez. He is a shining light for us. Too many times we get stereotyped as gangbangers or lazy welfare recipients, or undocumented workers bringing down the pay scale. We are thought of so negatively that when we get portrayed in a negative light it seems as if people who do so get a pass, whereas, for example African Americans get outraged at any negative portrayal and the offender roundly thrashed.
On Thursday, Mark Sanchez made his announcement, and what should have been a great day for him, his family, and Mexican Americans everywhere was turned sour by Coach Carroll.
On the same stage Mark had what should have been a great moment for him and the school’s football program, Coach Carroll made a point to tell everyone Mark was making a big mistake, going against everyone’s wishes, and almost painting his team leader as selfish. It was, to me, shocking. He never mentioned that Mark had been in school for four years, graduated with the class that he came in with, and been a great Trojan and role model for a lot of kids.
I wondered if Mark was Caucasian or African American would Coach Carroll have been so forthcoming and critical, since the presence of Mexican Americans in football is few and far between while Caucasians and African Americans are football recruiting targets.
My question is would Coach Carroll question the decision making of a black kid from the ghetto trying to further himself and help his family and achieve his dream, raising questions Carroll’s true intentions and genuine concern for the student athlete? Was it easier to criticize Sanchez since he is not in the normal recruiting demographic?
I don’t believe Coach Carroll is a racist, far from it, and believe that his disappointment in losing a team leader made him overly emotional, but he would have better served commenting in private and letting Mark Sanchez enjoy his moment.
But nobody’s perfect. And this little Trojan grew up and saw a little of the real world.”
Wow, I was stunned at her truthfulness and maturity. I see message boards lighting up suggesting Mark Sanchez is just another “one and done” kid who took the money, not realizing he is graduating.
Also, Pete Carroll has apologized to Mark and his family for his behavior. I just wish it had not come to that….
