Judge rules Montana football player must be reinstated
From the Associated Press:
KALISPELL, Mont. -- A judge has ruled that an all-state lineman removed from the Flathead High School football team must be reinstated until a lawsuit has been settled.
Flathead District Court Judge Katherine Curtis issued the preliminary injunction on Friday.
According to court records, the 17-year-old player was in a car where marijuana and paraphernalia was found by police after a traffic stop, but the player denied using marijuana or owning any of the devices.
But the player was removed from the team under the school district's policy that states students cannot be present where illegal drugs are in use.
The player's attorney argued the policy deprives his client of equal protection and due process, and that the ban could result in $200,000 in damages in the form of a lost scholarship to play football in college.
What do you all think?
-On one hand, the player didn't do anything illegal, and he could be a great kid all around who made a bad decision about who his friends are.
-On the other hand, bad things happen when you're around bad people. This is a lesson that if you hang around with the wrong crowd, nothing good can come from it.
My thought? Depends on the kid. Perhaps a blanket policy throughout the school district is a little strict. But, if it's a person who always finds himself near trouble but somehow seems to come out clean, maybe it's time for the coach to send a message and bench him.