I’d Call It The “Elizabeth Warren” Rule Myself

After all, nobody scores a touchdown by themselves. Young Mr. Jimerson is running on fields mowed by someone else and wearing pads made by someone else, etc. etc.

Under a rule specifically put into this football team to punish a specific player for being too good, Demias is only allowed to score three touchdowns per game, unless the other team can keep up and stay within 14 points. In other words, he’s only allowed to be a little bit better than the other team. If they suck, he has to suck, too.

That’s why, instead of this scoring cap,  I’d actually prefer an Elizabeth Warren/Barack Obama “spread the wealth” solution to this alleged problem. If the other teams really are bothered by the fact that this kid can essentially score at will, don’t stop him from scoring. Just impose a “millionaire tax” scoring system: Every touchdown he scores counts as 4 points for his team and 3 points for the other team.

You know—for “fairness.”  Right, Liz?

The scariest part of this story is that, according to a reporter, “nobody has a problem” with putting in a player-specific rule designed to punish one kid for scoring “too many” touchdowns. The notion of punishing the excellent is so ingrained into our society that even in Arkansas, local coaches and players just shrug and go along with it.

I bet there are a couple of kids playing defense on the other teams who would love to be given the challenge of stopping Demias Jimerson. I bet there’s a coach who would like that challenge, too.  And even if they failed, what a great learning experience both as athletes and young men.

But….no. We’ll just ban excellence so everyone can go home and feel good about themselves.

Go Team! Go Players! Go Pursuit of Excellence! Oooops. It’s already gone.