Free at Last

What could have been
Nice little feel good piece to touch on. For anyone who doesn't know the story of Genarlow Wilson let me give you a brief piece.

You all know that I am a huge college football fan. What I have yet to touch on is my admiration of HS Football and the whole recruting process. I remember almost 5 years ago reading about Calvin Johnson and that when he was in HS he was dominant, except in one game when a guy by the name of Genarlow Wilson held Johnson to a mediocre day for his standards. Wilson was a talented athlete and speed corner that had high upside. That was till he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Sure that sounds bad, but Genarlow was a senior in HS and was at a party and was videotaped receiving oral sex from a sophmore. He was 17 and she was 15 and was videotaped doing the same with other boys at the party. ESPN recently covered the story and I'm sure, for reasons I'm about to state, will run it often this week. Some high points, if Wilson would have had regular sex with the girl he would have had a minimum sentence. However due to some stupid law in Georgia from the early 1900s a blow job is a heinous act and worse than sex. The video showed the intercourse to be consensual but the judge quite possibly ruined this kids life.

But anyways, today, the new District Attorney of Georgia has deemed Wilson's cruel and unusual and released him today. After years of refusing to retroact a law that was ammended due to his case and appeals for fear of letting out real predators. I mean we all lived through HS. What person as a senior didn't hook up with a sophomore. Some of my friends even dated freshman and were sexual with them. Taping it was obviously dumb, but considering the video proved it was consensual and the girl testified she was willing. Also you have to give him credit for refusing to take the plea because it would have labeled him a sexual predator and he would not be allowed near his little sister at the time.

Congratulations Genarlow and although you wont get those 4 years back, you are at least young enough to make a difference. Maybe give football another shot, the publicity can't hurt.

-DG1