DRUG CHARGE

Athlete No Different From Others

If a student at your child's school were indicted and charged, and
awaiting trial for selling drugs, specifically crack cocaine, would
you want that student to be able to go on at school as if life were
normal in a high-profile position?

Apparently, that's how Rankin County Public Schools operates, with
Northwest Rankin High School running back Jeremy Bibbs. Or, is it that
he's a star football athlete?

Bibbs was indicted Wednesday on charges of selling 3.9 grams of crack
cocaine on Aug. 21, 2003. Trial is set for February. If convicted, he
faces a maximum $250,000 fine and 16 years in prison for the felony.
But Bibbs is still running the football at Northwest's games.
Madison-Rankin District Attorney David Clark sees it another way: "It
would seem inappropriate for this person to be involved in athletics
and held up as a role model."

Yes, it would seem inappropriate. Bibbs is innocent until proven
guilty, but he shouldn't be on the football field. Participation in
athletics is a privilege, not a right.