Quinton Jackson's story shows the other side of Griz recruiting
With this past season's arrests, it was tough for Griz fans not to call Bobby Hauck's recruiting practices into question. After seeing the turmoil caused by a few bad apples, it's no wonder Griz fans started wondering why Hauck and his staff gave some of these guys a second chance. An article/editorial by Bill Speltz in Sunday's Missoulian points out that there are second chances that don't go awry.Such is the case of cornerback Quinton Jackson:
"Montana took a chance on me and I want to thank them for that," he said. "All the people who wanted to associate me with people who make bad decisions. It's been like that my whole life.Great article with a very, very good point.
"I get joy out of proving people wrong in that aspect. A lot of people thought, 'He's a troublemaker and hangs out with the wrong people. He's a thug.' It's funny, you can't judge a book by its cover."
Too often success stories like Jackson's drown in a media cesspool of well-documented failures. Folks read about the players that went to jail on Page A1, while the Quinton Jacksons go largely unnoticed.
You know the familiar criticism: (Team name) never should have taken a chance on (fill in the blank) because he stumbled in the past and he's a risk. Somebody must have been asleep at the wheel to recruit him.
Sound familiar? Of course it does. That's why it's important testimonials on players like Jackson reach the public.
Think back on your life and try to remember if someone showed faith in you. Can't think of a time? Think a little harder.
