Ruffin out?

[Rusty 54]

Once a Brave, Always a Brave

[shaunguth]

IF the allegations prove to be enough to remove him from the team there is no way he should be allowed at Senior night. It just allows for people like Wessler to criticize the university for being easy on him. I know I thought it was inappropriate for Illinois to allow Jamar Smith to be on the bench after seriously injuring one of his teamates.

While I would have NO problem at all standing and cheering for DR Tuesday night for all he has accomplished and provided to Bradley University, I do have to agree that if he is indeed "removed" from the team then he should not take part in Senior night. That's just my opinion. However, I believe he will remain "suspended indefinitely" and not "removed", at least through Tuesday night.

[Beninator]

The senior night situation is a real dilemma... My personal opinion is that Ruff should not participate. I understand that Ruff is innocent until proven guilty, but I think that in this situation, Ruff should think of his teammates and university and not create a distraction and media frenzy by making a public appearance for senior night. I think the appropiate thing for Ruff to do if he decides to do something for senior night is to work something out with his lawyer and issue a written statement to the media.

[ER3]

I don't doubt for a second that if Daniel was introduced tonight, or on Tuesday at Senior Night, that he would receive a rousing ovation of support. Do you disagree? That's not to say that any fans condone the activity he is being accused of, but that fans support the players and don't abandon them.

So, let me get this straight...If Ruff is, hypothetically, found guilty of these charges that he has against him right now...(which include battering a woman with his hands and feet)...You are going to give him a rousing standing ovation?

[Lakeview Brave]

I don't think you can determine how other fans react to this situation. IMO, you are in the monrity here. And please don't act like you have some kind of moral high ground. It is possible to support someone who is accused of a crime without being evil, or misguided.

I don't doubt for a second that if Daniel was introduced tonight, or on Tuesday at Senior Night, that he would receive a rousing ovation of support. Do you disagree? That's not to say that any fans condone the activity he is being accused of, but that fans support the players and don't abandon them.

I dont think we disagree here, i do think he would get cheered and support but not the same level of support parents would give thier kids. Why do you think the fans would cheer Daniel? Seriously, would they cheer because the know him as a person and care about his well being or would they cheer because of all the great things he has done for Bradley and because he gives our current team a better chance to win? I dont think im in the minority when I say I dont know any of the players personally. I would say most fans know these players as well as they know proffesional players they cheer for. How many fans are even on a first name basis with any of the players? Statements from MOST poster like "this doesnt sound like Daniel" are only based on the fact that he doesnt have a history of problems or getting into trouble not based on really being friends with him or part of his family right?

[Da Coach]

So, let me get this straight...If Ruff is, hypothetically, found guilty of these charges that he has against him right now...(which include battering a woman with his hands and feet)...You are going to give him a rousing standing ovation?

First of all, Ruffin has not been found guilty of anything, and at tonight's game and at Tuesday night's game he will not have been convicted of anything. So, yes, I would show him my support.

But if you read what I said, it has nothing to do with what I would do.
It reads--
I don't doubt for a second that if Daniel was introduced tonight, or on Tuesday at Senior Night, that he would receive a rousing ovation of support. Do you disagree?

Do you disagree? I guarantee DR will get a rousing ovation if he is at either of the 2 remaining home games as the fans will show him their support.

But if Ruffin or any player is found guilty of a crime, they would be dismissed and they would no longer be a part of the team, so of course there would be no ovation.

[jasonpeoria911]

I know for one thing, the PD was never called to 908 Frink. She must have left and called from the hospital. The City PD then went to Ruffs Apt about 5:15am and arrested him. The city is the primary report writer on this, if it happened at Ruffs Apt then BUPD would be primary but they are not. Not sure where they got that info about 3:20am from.

Also, if they were called there at 3:20am and he was arrested at 5:30am, is it normal procedure for the investigation to take over 2 hours before he was arrested? I would think if the female had injuries that warranted going to the hospital, they would've arrested him sooner than 2 hours after they got there. There is obviously more to the story that will be coming out...let's just hope and pray that, as unlikely as it may seem, good news will come out in the details.

[Lakeview Brave]

Once a Brave, Always a Brave

Does that hold true for all Bradley graduates? Is it just for athletes? Im just wondering since this is a relatively new phrase?

[thefish7]

I'm having mixed feelings about this thing. I don't believe people should be punished when they have not been found guilty of anything... It's sort of one of the things that this country is founded on. These kinds of cases are volatile, I suppose, but if we recall what happened with the Duke LaCrosse team, overreacting can definately cause us to make the wrong decisions. If there is going to be a protracted legal battle, then I will continue to support Daniel Ruffin, and I also think that if his innocense is unknown yet, I believe he should be allowed to play (unless the team knows something).

Ruffin's history at Bradley gives us no reason to think him guilty of anything, as far as I know, so until I know more, I will reserve any sort of judgement.

[ph]

I think there would be many "boo's" if Ruff were announced on senior night, and it would take away from the JC, MS celebration

If the team wanted to do anything, they should announce his parents before the game (when the team is in the locker)
Like the Jamar situation, fans would be widely uncomfortable seeing Ruffin laughing with his teamates so soon given the seriousness of the charges..

[MacabreMob]

Like the +/- stat in hockey.... it would be interesting to see how many posts individuals have in threads regarding negative things as compared to positive things.

[Da Coach]

I dont think we disagree here, i do think he would get cheered and support but not the same level of support parents would give thier kids. Why do you think the fans would cheer Daniel? Seriously, would they cheer because the know him as a person and care about his well being or would they cheer because of all the great things he has done for Bradley and because he gives our current team a better chance to win? I dont think im in the minority when I say I dont know any of the players personally. I would say most fans know these players as well as they know proffesional players they cheer for. How many fans are even on a first name basis with any of the players? Statements from MOST poster like "this doesnt sound like Daniel" are only based on the fact that he doesnt have a history of problems or getting into trouble not based on really being friends with him or part of his family right?

I don't think it has anything to do with your one line "because he gives our current team a better chance to win?"
I think the crowd would give Daniel a cheer of support even if Bradley's record was 0-27. It would be because of their familiarity with him and because the fans have seen and admired him for 4 years, and in a way they do feel like they know him. And many of them know him personally.

What is your point? I believe there are many fans who cheer loyally for Bradley, no differently than they would cheer for their kid's little league team. And I believe many of the regular fans do know Daniel much better than you think. I have seen Daniel interact with fans at fan events, play with kids at summer camps, and talk to fans who hang around after games. I am personally acquainted with his mother and father, and they are tremendous people. And I know Daniel, and he deserves the support of the Bradley fans.

[JasonAtBradley]

I think that is sad that Ruffin probably isn't playing anymore at Bradley. However, I do think that if Ruffin is guilty, it's the right decision to suspend him from all basketball games for the rest of the season. It is a tough pill to swallow, but at least the university is vigilant that crime is not tolerated, even among athletes.

The only silver lining I can think of is that with Warren and Ruffin out, some of the bench players could get some time on the court (including David Collins and Tyrone Cole-Scott) other than during garbage time.

[thefish7]

If Ruffin is guilty, he should be kicked off the team. I just don't know if his guilt will be determined in time to make a difference, and if that's the case, then he should be given the benefit of the doubt.

[Lakeview Brave]

Like the +/- stat in hockey.... it would be interesting to see how many posts individuals have in threads regarding negative things as compared to positive things.

Would that be some sort of indication as to how much of a fan they are? The fact the people post at all indicates they are in the top 5% of Bradley fans. If everybody on the boards cheered the sameway, thought the same way on every issue and posted the same way this would be a really boring board.