Unless you just returned from a trip to the most remote part of the Amazon Basin, you have probably heard about the recent incident where an Oklahoma State basketball player, Marcus Smart, who dove out of bounds during a basketball game. It was there (in out of bounds territory) that a Texas Tech fan, and major Texas Tech “Homer” by the name of Jeff Orr, called Marcus a “Piece of Crap.” This prompted Marcus to give 
Orr a decent shove and his reward for shoving the fan was a three game suspension. I might add (and there’s a reason) that Marcus is a phenomenal player; while I’m at it, I might add as well that Texas Tech has banned Orr from attending another game this season. About Orr, I could care less.
The situation is an ethical mess. It may be one of those “15 minute Issues,” but it talks to culture, opportunity, entitlement and big time college sports.
Take Your Pick
Ethically – and physically, a player of the size and strength of Marcus at 6’4” and 220+ pounds has no business pushing a 5’10” 50 year old fat guy no matter what he said.
In the one defense I will make of Mr. Orr, and despite Marcus’ initial reaction, there is absolutely no evidence of any kind that Orr used a racial epithet. Orr said something inappropriate and absolutely stupid, but he did not disparage Mr. Smart’s race.
There is a huge piece of luck. When shoved, Orr did not fly backwards and hit his head. He did not fall over someone frail or elderly. He looked dumbfounded and stupid, but he did not take a fall and injure himself.
Marcus Smart should have known better, but I cannot let him take all the blame. He is young and still maturing. He is an athlete in “go mode,” and fully at the height of his physicality.
But he has played in many arenas and even outside of the United States. The reason I pointed out the obvious, that Marcus is a phenomenal player, is the fact that in the tiny universe of men and women who get to play professional basketball, he is pretty close to being a lock. In all of the competition he has faced he should have understood that opposing fans may not like him; and many don’t – just because he’s that good. However, it goes with the territory.
I am not saying the shove deeply hurt his chances of making it into the NBA, but it may cost him a “few bucks” on his signing and it may create some ill-will among future fans. If he gets into an NBA shoving match, everyone will remember this incident.
Back to Orr. As I sit here and write this, the only expression that comes into my mind is: “Get a Life.” I have a thing about fans that cross a line, especially 50 year old fans. A kid of Marcus’ age might say something stupid like that, but a grown man has no right.
If Orr wants to wear a Texas Tech beanie, sweatshirt, underwear and Texas Tech shoes, that’s his business. If he wants to give a fat check to the Texas Tech building fund or support the Texas Tech BBQ Club (if there is such a thing), bless him there too. But have some common sense. Have some respect. You called a reportedly very nice kid a piece of crap. “Crap” translates into something else. It was unnecessary.
The Shadow of Blame
The OSU head coach said all of the right things – and OSU was right to suspend Marcus. But make no mistake, OSU was also to blame and no one is calling them out on it.
I would pretty much come close to guaranteeing that not one person in this mess ever put Marcus or his teammates through ethics training. No one bothered to consult with him about consequences, no one helped him anticipate unethical behavior such as Orr’s behavior, and no one truly advised Marcus of what his actions could potentially cost him.
My life is based on training people to make wise choices. Even in the heat of the moment, Marcus Smart had choices. He made the wrong choice. Nevertheless, unless OSU or any major program must try to reach out to their athletes ethically; for the next time a fat guy is pushed the results might be very different.
