1-Just because it did not happen to someone, or it wasn't a big deal to someone, it does not mean it did not happen to someone else or they did not feel it (and are entitled to feeling it) in a completely different way. And that's not acceptable.
2-Back of the envelope calculations - I was in a locker room with other naked males, over 3,000 times. You get desensitized to being naked and act normally, like you are not in your baby swimsuit. But you do not forget you are naked when it comes to doing more than just talking. You do not see doing things naked as normal. I can't recall ever seeing two dudes hugging while naked, let alone do bear crawls and poop like that.
3-Embezzled, exaggerated or not, something happened. 99% certainty on that. That's how it is in the majority of cases. Was it systemic? Maybe not. Was it as brutal as the descriptions given? Maybe not. But something happened and that is not OK
4-Did the coach know? 99% sure he knew of something. Probably not the entire picture. Maybe no one ever complained to him. But he knew something. And did not put an end to it or reported it. And that's not OK. Being fired or not, in my mind, would depend on what unrolls going forward and determines the degree to what this was systemic, frequent, or as hardcore as described. Murky waters, trending to firing.
5-Players coming out in support - big deal, not seeing a whole lot of "I deny hazing happened". Refer to #1.
I have long naturally given up on having heroes or profoundly admiring anyone. Just a few weeks ago I discovered both my favorite actors, pushing 80 yo, have very young girlfriends, who are impregnated. While not illegal, it is just f'ing weird. People are complex. Capable of being exceptional while having negative or uncomfortable aspects to them. I am fully ready to accept someone I admire just f'ed up badly.
www.insidenu.com
