Football Max Melton & Chris Long Suspended

[Pils86]

I played paintball a few times. Getting hit on bare skin hurts and leaves a welt and bruising, close shots with a freshly charged cartridge are pretty painful. When setting up you must keep the barrel covered until everyone has goggles on. Knowing what it feels like to be hit would lead be me to believe a direct eye shot would cause blindness. Accuracy is low because the balls are obviously not rifled and not balanced so it can curve all over the place.

I would expect they are suspended until the case is resolved. This was willful behavior to the detriment of others. Hate it as a fan but there have to be consequences.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

The flaw in your logic is that if you punish your children overly harshly, they don't have the option of finding alternate parents. However, if the University and/or its football coach should determine that these two young men should continue their academic and athletic careers elsewhere, they will both find takers.

It's not a question of showing or denying mercy. It's a question of doing the right thing for all concerned.

Mine wasn't an argument as much as an extension of mikemarc's broadening of the issue by bringing into requisition the likely response of his employer. Doing the right thing includes the treatment of those who caused the issue in the first place--Max and Chris. Society has rights, as do the accused. But the key phrase in your first sentence is "overly harshly"--I am not in favor of anyone being punished in an overly harsh manner. The punishment should fit the crime, whether within a family or in a broader legal context.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Agreed. as far as the institution is concerned, it's always safer to over correct than under correct.

Undercorrection is what led to the Mike Rice fiasco.

Penny wise, pound foolish.

No... I think they did the right thing with Rice.. and then crumpled when the video came out because it was easier to throw Rice to the mob rather than have a backbone. They could have said the video that went viral was small snippets cherry-icked a couple years. And while the coaching displayed was too aggressive and showed a boot-camp mentality that the corrective action was suspension and counselling and monitoring and that everyone will be better off for it. R prez didn't display a backbone until the mob starting barking for his job.. then he toughened up.

 

[Shelby65]

Plum…you ask if I am a fan ? I am a fan of good character, good behavior and high integrity. That’s what I root and hope for in athletes and regular folk. That is far more important to me than my alma mater’s football team.

I am ashamed that RU shows Ray Rice’s face on the big screen and embarrassed for people who still wear #27 jerseys.

I am embarrassed for Oregon to ignore the behavior and let their guys play against OSU.

If it were my decision, Mark Few would be unemployed today and Pitino would be unemployed forever.

Character and integrity matter to you less, and that is your prerogative. Yes, you are a bigger Rutgers fan than I. Congrats !

 

[RutgersRaRa]

I actually forwarded this thread to a friend who is getting her doctorate in psychology. She said she plans on using it to do her thesis

As the voice of reason and compassion, it is my civic duty to make myself available to your friend for interviews.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

What is the line that separates “a college, youthful mistake” and a crime?

is it only a “mistake” cause of the outcome? Say they paintball hits the victims eye and is permanently blinded..still just a “kid making a mistake”?

yes.. it could be. a casually fired paintball mistakenly blinding someone could be a tragic mistake. but did that actually happen here? what if a paintball struck a worker on a ladder and he fell to his death? what if he fell on a student and killed her too? what if he fell, killed a student and that student had been researching cancer and was about to find the cure?

you can.. or only SHOULD punish someone based on what actually happened.. not what COULD have happened.

“On Monday, September 20, 2021, at approximately 10:00 PM, the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) responded to the area of Livingston Campus in the township of Piscataway for the report of three student victims that were struck with paintballs discharged from a motor vehicle,” Rutgers police chief Kenneth Cop said in a statement provided to NJ Advance Media. “The three victims sustained minor injuries and declined further medical attention on scene. An investigation completed by the RUPD resulted in the arrest of two male suspects on September 21, 2021.”​

​

That's what happened, as far as we know. That is what should be punished.. not blinding someone. How about they stand there and let the victims hit them with paintballs for 5 minutes? In public.. with their teammates watching.. mocking them.​

 

[Roy_Faulker]

So who’s next man up? Do we know if Renee is fit?

 

[jtung230]

Remember when our biggest controversy was the DJ being too loud? Can we go back to that?

 

[mikemarc1]

yes.. it could be. a casually fired paintball mistakenly blinding someone could be a tragic mistake. but did that actually happen here? what if a paintball struck a worker on a ladder and he fell to his death? what if he fell on a student and killed her too? what if he fell, killed a student and that student had been researching cancer and was about to find the cure?

you can.. or only SHOULD punish someone based on what actually happened.. not what COULD have happened.

you punish someone on what they did…not the effect of what they did.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

you punish someone on what they did…not the effect of what they did.

And? what punishment is that for riding in a car and hitting 3 people with paintballs?

 

[bitnez]

It’s funny — reading thread I’ve come to conclusion that just about every kid I grew up with would have to go to prison in today’s society. Instead, when we did stupid stuff, our patents disciplined us, sometimes it was worse, and yet we’re all happily married with families making good livings.

Calling this a “drive by shooting” and saying they should be kicked out of school is absurd.

 

[mikemarc1]

It’s funny — reading thread I’ve come to conclusion that just about every kid I grew up with would have to go to prison in today’s society. Instead, when we did stupid stuff, our patents disciplined us, sometimes it was worse, and yet we’re all happily married with families making good livings.

Calling this a “drive by shooting” and saying they should be kicked out of school is absurd.

Not one post has called for the two to be put i prison

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Seniors at a local high school play a game call assassin. The last one standing is the winner. They use water pistols. When you get shot you are out.

this is an innocent game that has been played for years.

Shooting a water gun is not a issue
Shooting a real gun at some us obviously is.

I really don’t know enough about paint ball to say where it fits between the 2 extremes.

 

[Shelby65]

bit…no one’s claiming attempted murder and 5-10 years in jail.

But it seems to meet the aggravated assault criteria in NJ law and the punishment must correlate, RU starter or not.

This is not merely a prank

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Nerf guns can blind someone too if shot directly in the eye. And when they hit you in the head they hurt. Would it be better if they went at the victims heads with those heavy duty Fortnight nerf guns? In my mind it’d be just as bad and scary for the victims but wouldn’t be an arrest worthy crime.

 

[mikemarc1]

And? what punishment is that for riding in a car and hitting 3 people with paintballs?

No clue. Can search aggravated assault nj on google to get that answer, I suppose

looks like firing a paintball gun at someone can be 3 to 5 years in prison, per this:

Unlawful Possession of BB guns, Paintball Guns, & Airsoft Guns - Pennsauken NJ Weapon Possession Lawyers

Arrested for Having a BB Gun? Call our office to speak with a criminal defense attorney in South Jersey.

www.camdencountynjcriminallawyers.com

 

[mikemarc1]

Nerf guns can blind someone too if shot directly in the eye. And when they hit you in the head they hurt. Would it be better if they went at the victims heads with those heavy duty Fortnight nerf guns? In my mind it’d be just as bad and scary for the victims but wouldn’t be an arrest worthy crime.

Of course not. Shooting a nerf gone isn’t a crime.

shooring a paintball gun is.

whoever they hit with the nerf gun can obviously press charges of assault..

 

[Caliknight]

This thread doesn’t exist if the people shot at never called the cops.

Lol genius take

 

[LETSGORU91]

I don't agree with all of your points. A paintball gun is not a gun. IMO drunk driving is a much more serious offense. Not talking the law. Just talking common sense. If they were shooting strangers, it shows a real lack of moral compass (that is just a D#CK move) and wild lack of judgement. And since an errant shot can cause serious harm such as loss of an eye, there should be meaningful consequences. But not jail time. Possibly dismissal from the team, but probably not if they are remorseful and were good citizens otherwise. If they shot at friends as a prank, then the penalty should be even less.

RUPD needs to enforce the law. End of story. Agree 100% there.

I think I was referring to someone who posted about never pointing a gun at someone. I didnt mean to imply the paintball gun was considered an actual firearm. Since it is considered a weapon though, the same basic rule applies to the paintball weapon.

 

[Caliknight]

it should be the price though. If it was…this incident doesn’t occur, imo.

and committing a drive by shooting with a paintball gun isn’t a “college mistake”.

You’re making some salient points. I don’t agree they should be kicked off the team but to try to frame this as kids being kids isn’t the answer either.

GS either needs to make an example or go rogue and do what OSU would do. Based on what little we know. I’d think a year long suspension is the right move for the shooter, assuming one was driving the car. I do think there is some difference there.

Or just try to win. College rah rah is over. This is professional sports now. One game and let the courts handle it.

Those are the options.

 

[Eagleton96]

should it be though?

if this was the rubric for this…you think college football players are gonna commit less crimes?! Yes.

Human beings have rights. Even football players. Yes, if you cut off the hands of shoplifters there will be fewer shoplifting. That’s not enough of a reason to do it. What kind of message is that for RU athletics or anyone at RU? Make a mistake and we will eject you if you embarrass us.

I’m confident GS wouldn’t do that.

 

[mikemarc1]

Human beings have rights. Even football players. Yes, if you cut off the hands of shoplifters there will be fewer shoplifting. That’s not enough of a reason to do it. What kind of message is that for RU athletics or anyone at RU? Make a mistake and we will eject you if you embarrass us.

I’m confident GS wouldn’t do that.

commit a felony and we will reject you…that’s what the message should be.

you can make all mistakes you want..just don’t commit an F’ing felony….

That’s not hard to do!

 

[Eagleton96]

I hope you are right but we have seen prosecutors put personal and career advancement ahead of seeking justice at the expense of the wrongfully accused or over indicted.

I think grandstanding at the expense of Rutgers wouldn’t be a smart career move.

 

[Caliknight]

A few circumstances changed would have many here having completely different takes no doubt. A psychologist’s wet dream for certain.

 

[mikemarc1]

A few circumstances changed would have many here having completely different takes no doubt. A psychologist’s wet dream for certain.

lol. This happening at PSU and most on this thread will be calling to shut down the program

 

[PaKnight]

No... I think they did the right thing with Rice.. and then crumpled when the video came out because it was easier to throw Rice to the mob rather than have a backbone. They could have said the video that went viral was small snippets cherry-icked a couple years. And while the coaching displayed was too aggressive and showed a boot-camp mentality that the corrective action was suspension and counselling and monitoring and that everyone will be better off for it. R prez didn't display a backbone until the mob starting barking for his job.. then he toughened up.

Rice was done as a coach, all any opposing coach who was recruiting against RU needed to do was show the video to a recruit and say, you want to play for him?
RU’s problem was that did not fire Rice back in December when they first saw the video.

 

[Antnee79]

I think grandstanding at the expense of Rutgers wouldn’t be a smart career move.

Agreed, but somehow that didn't stop the prosecutor in the Duke rape case, among other examples. I am not suggesting that it would happen in this case; quite the contrary, it is my opinion that the charges will be downgraded.

 

[Eagleton96]

Agreed, but somehow that didn't stop the prosecutor in the Duke rape case, among other examples. I am not suggesting that it would happen in this case; quite the contrary, it is my opinion that the charges will be downgraded.

Good point

 

[LETSGORU91]

Probably the best thing for these guys is to take a redshirt

...and hope the charges are reduced and the university/coaches welcome them back.

Believe me you'll know the difference between being shot at with a paintball gun and a real firearm. At no point did those three think they were shot at with a real gun.

You interviewed them? Loud sounds and they feel stinging sensations on the body. Do you think in the heat of the moment and in a split second, they stopped and said "Ha! These are just paintballs. I know the difference between skin piercing bullets and skin stinging paintballs."?

Sit them for a half or the whole game at Michigan. Then welcome them back with the stipulation that any further issues means explusion.

This was a bad mistake.. kids do stupid things.

There used to be a game played on campuses across this country of "assassinating" eachother... they even made a goofy movie..

It's an indictable felony offense. The media would have a nice field day if they were suspended without a reduction of charges or dropped all together..and even then they wouldn't let it go.

And? what punishment is that for riding in a car and hitting 3 people with paintballs?

Look under felony assault in NJ and you will have your answer. Or just refer to the dozen or so people who have repeated what potential punishments could be on this thread.

 

[LETSGORU91]

500+ replies in just over a 12 hour span on this. I sure hope the players are focusing more on game prep as opposed to the time we have devoted to this topic.

 

[ponyfoot19]

The outcome with the legal system and with the university should be the same as if Melton and Long were 'regular' students and not scholarship athletes on a revenue athletic team.

 

[Doctor Worm]

The outcome with the legal system and with the university should be the same as if Melton and Long were 'regular' students and not scholarship athletes on a revenue athletic team.

I agree with this.

 

[theRU]

Too many pages to read through where this went in terms of board reaction. They probably had no idea how seriously this could be taken to an extreme and are now going to pay the price. Time have changed from the 80s, everything is serious these days and to be honest it's hard to defend them. We live in a world where in that split second you could be thinking you are actually getting shot, or terrorist attack is unfolding. I know that sounds silly but these are the times we're living in- and that's incredibly sad.

Now, hopefully they can make a deal - and apologize to whoever they shot

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

It's an indictable felony offense. The media would have a nice field day if they were suspended without a reduction of charges or dropped all together..and even then they wouldn't let it go.

Look under felony assault in NJ and you will have your answer. Or just refer to the dozen or so people who have repeated what potential punishments could be on this thread.

That's some BS right there.

Should it be an "indictable felony offense"?

Why is it an "indictable felony offense"?

That's friggin' nuts.

 

[fsg2]

I wonder how often this will be referenced now on ABC national TV.

Each time Bo makes a play or the secondary is playing they could talk about this.

Really disappointing. Puts a damper on the whole week. whole season and the whole program.

It really doesn't.

 

[LBusDoor90]

Creating harsher penalties is what’s gonna makes these incidents less likely.

In the history of crime and punishment, that sure has been spot on. 🙄

 

[OriginalKnight]

Ya know going out of your way to be insulting because you didn't get the joke everyone else got isn't really a good look for anyone.

Got it. It wasn’t funny.

 

[JRZEER]

Just putting this here due to the timing and circumstances. Not saying this was them, but I sure hope it wasn't any other athlete either... This type of stuff should not be happening, regardless of who is doing it...

View embedded media

I was wondering if this was an isolated incident or would more stories emerge.

 

[wisr01]

As you say..“strip them of any and all privelages”….like the privilege of representing their school and the state on a football field. Totally agree.

and totally agree jail is excessive

Precedent from just a few weeks ago

UO athletes to enter diversion program after airsoft gun shooting

EUGENE, Ore. – Two University of Oregon football players arrested after an airsoft gun shooting in downtown Eugene will enter into a diversion program.

www.kezi.com

 

[bitnez]

I’m not for excusing anyone who commits a crime. However, I thought we entered this new era of nuisance in the system. We are decriminalizing a lot of prior “felonies,” and despite the fact that this still technically fits that definition, shooting someone with a paint ball when not in the commission of another crime shouldn’t be a felony in this or any other state. And to be clear I’d feel the same way if they didn’t play football or go to Rutgers.

It will get reduced, end up in municipal court, and they will be back with the team in early November.