It doesn’t take a genius to understand the concept of giving up your keys if you’ve had a couple of drinks or more. Just a minimum amount of maturity and a little bit of understanding the potential consequences.
But, amazingly, a few misguided people out there still believe University of Hawaii football players and former Warrior stars should be exempt from laws against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, that they should get off with warnings when pulled over.
It’s doubtful these numbskulls would put their real names on those assertions. But they’re out there, anonymously posting on blogs and under news articles Thursday in the wake of the Colt Brennan arrest on Wednesday night.
Maybe there used to be warnings and a look-the-other-way approach when players got pulled over. If there were, it’s not there now, and that’s good. Nothing gives anyone the right to drive drunk, no matter what you do on Saturday nights at Aloha Stadium.
THANKFULLY, UH head coach Norm Chow is intolerant of DUIs. But, despite that, three of his players have been tagged in the past few months.
And now Brennan. The greatest player in Warriors history, the legendary quarterback who led UH to 12-0 and the Sugar Bowl.
He’d had trouble with the law in Colorado, but made the most of a second chance after transferring here.
His decision to return for his senior season rather than turn pro won the hearts of UH fans everywhere and set up the 2007 run to a BCS bowl game. However, it also cost him millions of dollars and who knows what else. Brennan hasn’t been the same after injuries suffered during that senior season, including a nasty concussion.
Life after UH has been less than wonderful.
In 2010 there was that horrific and still mysterious car wreck that nearly killed Hawaii island physician Theresa Wang, and more injuries probably ruined whatever real chance Brennan had at rebooting a stunted pro football career. Friends say his memory is impaired.
And now this. Suspicion of DUI, with drugs involved.
Of course we have to see how it plays out, and as of late Thursday he wasn’t charged pending investigation. But at age 28 — when fans figured he’d be reaching his peak as an NFL star — Brennan’s redemption story has gone completely awry.
As much as it appears he has brought problems upon himself, I hope Brennan has one more comeback left. And I’m talking about in life; forget about football, at least for now.
Just as much as that, I hope for continued recovery for Dr. Wang, whose car was on the correct side of the road that day on the Big Island.
THOSE WHO get caught for suspicion of DUI have often committed the crime many times before, so we’re probably not talking flukes in most cases. Yes, we must consider due process, but even defense attorney Paul Cunney admits that 95 percent of suspicion of DUI arrests are cut-and-dry guilty.
Some say it is unfair that it becomes big news when high-profile athletes get nabbed. Well, celebrity comes with a price — one that most athletes understand and accept, but too many obviously do not.
The words "accountability" and "responsibility" come to mind.
For better or worse, it is also big news here when football players commit to compete for the University of Hawaii, help the Warriors win games or come in third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
The potential for bad comes with the good. Solution? Don’t put yourself in vulnerable situations. You won’t always luck out.
And enough of what life deals us is uncontrollable as it is.
