Be Gone, Lesser Vick

It's time for my official evaluation of the Marcus Vick situation. I refrained from posting immediately after hearing the news, I wanted to mull it over, gauge the response, etc. to gain a better perspective on the situation. All in all, my opinion hasn't changed - he deserved to go.

Marcus has been a constant thorn in the Hokies' side. He came in riding his brother's success, believed he was the best from day one, and acted invincible. We let this slide because we thought he'd live up to the hype - he was faster than Michael, potentially better - we ate it all up. Then came the first scandal. Then the second. Then tales of his run-ins with traffic cops. Then came the Stomp Seen 'Round The World.

What an asshole.

True, I will miss the his talent (although I will not miss his tendency to choke under pressure), but overall this is the best move, I think. There was no easy out, however. If we don't dismiss him, scandal erupts. If we dismiss him, we lose undeniable talent. In order to save face among college football and the country, he had to go. If he had done what he did anywhere but a football field, he'd be prosecuted for malicious assault. That's funny, Marcus facing prosecution? That'd be a shocker.

We can now go about reestablishing the Hokie name in collegiate sports. No more Bad Boy to spoil it.

When I think of Hokie football, I will always think of Darrell Tapp's "lunch pail" work ethic, being the first man to offer a hand to the opposing quarterback after knocking him down. I will always think of Mike Imoh, pounding through the line for a first down. I will always think of Cedric Humes' determination, playing with a broken ulna and not being slowed down one bit. I will always think of Jeff King's reliable hands and down-to-earth attitude. I will always think of John Kinzer's leap over the Boston College defender that made Lane Stadium erupt. I will always think of the Adibi's - Nathaniel and Xavier - whose steady work as defensive backs have solidified our pass defense. I will always think of Jimmy Williams' ability to pull the crowd into the game even when it looked rough. And I will always think of the spirit of camraderie that pulls together an entire university as it converges on a stadium under the evening lights to bounce, scream, and cheer.

And I will always think of how Marcus will never spoil it for us again, how he will never feel the undying love the fans have for their Hokies, how he will never again be part of a lasting college tradition - BeamerBall.