Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
In the light of recent news that University of Maryland wideout Stefon Diggs has been suspended one game for his role in a pregame fight against Penn State last Saturday, it is only reasonable that the Terrapins take it one step further.
Head coach Randy Edsall had to punish his captains in some way, shape or form for their actions during the coin toss in their game last Saturday against Penn State. With the NCAA already punishing Diggs for his role in the fight that happened, Edsall now has to take the next step and strip Diggs of his captainship.
Getting suspended is, at least to me, grounds for immediate punishment, especially for a captain. A captain is someone who is supposed to be a leader for your team — not just on the field, but off it as well. Captains are supposed to be shining examples of morality and mental toughness. Basically, your captains are supposed to be Supermen; at least they are supposed to project themselves to be.
What Diggs did last Saturday was nothing of the sort. Diggs was the only player to get flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty in the scuffle. Then, he and the rest of Maryland’s supposed leaders go out to midfield and knowingly get flagged for another unsportsmanlike penalty.
That’s not just getting riled up and making a mistake in the heat of the moment, that’s knowingly making a mistake that puts your team at a disadvantage just to make yourself look like a tough guy.
What Diggs did was embarrassing and childish. Edsall’s only choice now is to strip Diggs of his captainship if he wants to keep the respect of his peers, the media and the locker room.
Alasdair Thornton is a Big Ten writer for www.RantSports.com Message him on Twitter @Alasdairthornto or on Facebook.
