Accusations and Apologies

Head University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino made a public apology after a woman accused him of raping her twice on two different occasions six years ago. The consensus has been that it's an extortion attempt by this woman. I agree 100% that extortion is exactly what it is. She is seeking $10 million dollars. I can only laugh at the ludicrous nature of this story.

I'm not going to get into whether or not I think Pitino raped this woman or not. Frankly, for her to wait six years and think she can really prove it is insane in itself. I don't think the story is in whether the rapes actually occurred or not. Only they know what reslly happened. The story is in what the impact the accusation alone has on a figure such as Rick Pitino.

The University of Louisville is standing behind him 100% during this ordeal. I'm a bit surprised because Pitino goes to kids' homes and sits down with their parents in an attempt to convince these kids to come play basketball at UL. Now, as a parent, you see the breaking news on the television. Whether you believe he's guilty or not, would you send your kid to play for him? I have to think that some parents would at least hesitate when Rick Pitino calls them asking to speak to their son. Not to mention that Pitino was and is married to his current wife at the time these incidents occurred looks really bad on Pitino's character. He's already admitted to having consensual sex with this woman in a restaurant bathroom. Now thiskid has to make one of the most important decisions in his life and Pitino has this cloud hanging over him now. This will for sure hurt recruiting. Can UL afford to have it's men's basketball program fall because Pitino doesn't know how to keep "it" in his pants?

Should the accusation alone condemn Pitino to at some point have to resign as head coach? Pitino has already stated he will not step down and has filed a suit against his accuser for extortion. Good move on his part. He has no choice but to defend himself if he wants to keep his job. I'm sure he could probably quietly buy himself out of this since the woman seems to be looking to get paid. But if he does that, then he's admitting guilt and that would surely cost him his job and probably his career. When the stakes are this high you have no choice but to fight and see it through to the end. So the accusations alone should only put Pitino's job on the line on the basis that it could be true. Terminating his job should only occur if it comes out that he is 100% guilty of rape. Guilty until proven innocent is how it's suppose to be, so he deserve the opportunity to defend himself and keep his job.

Here's what I have a problem with. When things like this happen there's always a press conference that begins with an apology to everyone. I don't really take these apologies seriously. These are people doing damage control for something they made a conscience decision to do. These apologies are necessary because the public demands there be one in cases such as this. Are they sincere? Are they really coming from the heart? I guess it's up to each individual to come to their own conclusion.

Pitino's future is uncertain. As for now he's the head coach of the University of Louisville men's basketball team. Now I have to throw something else at you. Would the school back him if he were black? Just something for you to chew on.

Until next time, take care.