Bama Haters; Read This

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First of all, Alabama has done nothing wrong in the Marcell Dareus situation and has zero, and I repeat zero chance of anything ever happening to the school because of it.

Why?

They self reported themselves, and turned the matter over to the NCAA to come and see for themselves the facts of the case.

Since Marcell hasn't played a down since "Partygate" that has involved so many players, and since he won't until cleared by the NCAA, there is once again zero chance of any penalties to the team.

Now, let's turn to Marcell.

Marcell Dareus would only be in trouble if he took anything of value from an agent, booster or some other person the NCAA deems a problem. In this case, that would be transportation to from or at the site, lodging while there, food, drinks, money or any other item or service that has value.

Let's deal with them one by one.

Transportation: The ticket he flew down on was allegedly purchased by his friend Marvin Austin, a senior defensive lineman from North Carolina who is also being investigated.

The two met when Marcell made his official visit to North Carolina, and Austin served as his host. Though Marcell chose Alabama, the two remained good friends.

Austin thought a nice weekend in South Florida would be both payback for a personal promise of a nice trip should Alabama win the the championship that Austin promised Dareus, but also to take his mind of his mother for a few days.

Marcell did not want even the hint of this ticket being anything wrong, so when his buddy met him in South Florida, Dareus repaid him and all but demanded a receipt. He has one,and it was shown to the NCAA.

Marcell is not only drilled by the Alabama coaching staff and fellow players to always watch yourself and do the right thing, but also by his legal guardian Lester Reasor.

Reasor certainly works hard to keep Marcell on the straight and narrow. Lester, and his wonderful wife Juanita are like guardian angels.

Lester Reasor was a fine military man and helped spearhead the purchase of of the new home of the American Legion, post 347 in Fairfield, Alabama. It was the first building ever owned by the post.

Despite what most people think, Marcell has not lived with his mother for a while now. Mr. Reasor has guardianship of Dareus and his other siblings except for the oldest. He is a retired Huffman High School's ROTC program and he has instilled that kind of military thinking into Dareus—Duty, Honor, instead of country and school.

Marcell had been being looked after by Huffman High School assistant coach Scott Livingston until he was killed in a car crash, and in stepped Reasor. He could not see Dareus, and his siblings fall by the wayside.

Just like he took care of men in the military and, helped shape young people's lives by steering them into the ROTC and giving them a better chance at life, he did it for the Dareus family.

Part of the deal with moving in the Reasor's a few years back was that he would attend church with them every Sunday , and when Dareus came to Alabama without a car, Mr. Reasor drove from Birmingham every Sunday to pick him up to make sure he kept his word.

Dareus' life could be another great movie along the lines of "Blindside", and the details are both personal and emotional, but they need to be told at this point so everyone knows the mindset and ties to South Florida that make his story more believable.

His father was a Haitian immigrant who died when he was young. His mother remarried, but her new husband developed congestive heart failure, and then she became ill as well.

During his early life, he lived in South Florida for a great portion of his life, and has relatives in the Miami area especially around the "Little Hatti" area.

This part of the story is important later.

Now the lodging:

Marcell was supposed to stay with his friend Marvin Austin, but upon learning that the party was hosted by an agent, Marcell decided to play it safe, and simply stay with family in the area instead.

With family in that area, that would have been a logical thing to do. That is what he's told Alabama and the NCAA, and though I personally do not have proof that's what happened, I'm sure it could be verified.

The matters left that I haven't uncovered is any transportation at Miami, any food or other gifts, but in the eyes of the NCAA, such things are minor.

In every case where such things have taken place of minor things, the NCAA has re-instated their right to play once they have made repayment of any of those costs.

In other words, Dareus would not be suspended from any play this fall, f reparations were made for any thing or service he did receive.

The good news: Is that Dareus is already suspended by the NCAA.

Why is that good news?

First you are reported, then they investigate, and once they have sufficient material they suspend the player until a final ruling is made. The first suspended is the first unsuspended.

Everyone who is investigated, even if they are 100% innocent of any wrongdoing is suspended until cleared. To not be suspended is even worse. This means they are still in the gathering stage, and not ready to rule.

Some of the other players who attended, and received "benefits" have not been officially suspended yet by the NCAA. This means the school must do it themselves, because if they actually play and are found guilty later, then not only the player, but the school could face penalties.

So some players are wishing that they too were ready to be suspended so that the NCAA could make a determination soon. After all, we are getting really close to the first of the season, and the first game will be upon us shortly.

Every player on every team has a story, but few have the twists and turns that Marcell Dareus' does. Because of the adversity that Marcell has faced, and the strong men who came to aid him in those struggles, I find it hard to believe that such a man would let himself, his team and the people who had faith in him down.

So before you call this man, this school, and these men who help him cheaters—you should have all the facts first.

Now you do.