The headline isn’t to take away from the in-depth ESPN reporting, because it is very good and thorough. It just isn’t very surprising.
This isn’t just college, this is life.
Individuals who are privileged in one way or another just get away with more things. If you are rich, an athlete or in some cases just a white person, it is likely things are going to be easier for you with the justice system. So, I wouldn’t call these stunning findings, just more confirming what we already knew.
Most of the time when these kids are being arrested, it is being investigated by campus or city police who have a vested interest in making sure these athletes stay on the field. They are fans, alma mater or friends with the coaches. They are going to give every opportunity to make these cases go away or not investigate them fully.
This has happened I am going to assume for the last 100 years. It is harder to cover up things now in the age of social media, but it still happens. During my time at The Ohio State University in the late 2000s there were things going on that would set fire to social media if they were ever revealed.
When it is petty crime like stealing crab legs, I just sort of roll my eyes to it. When it is serious crimes like rape, domestic violence and things of that nature, I feel bad for the true victims who aren’t just fighter against their attackers, but an entire university that cares more about the scoreboard than them.