Football Max Melton & Chris Long Suspended

[PSAL_Hoops]

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!

I’m not a legal expert and I’m not trying to say this isn’t a big deal regardless. In other states it sounds like paintball guns are not considered weapons. Would this offense still be a felony in those places?

I know you will say that doesn’t matter, but I think it does. Not everyone (and certainly not 2 college kids) are going to know the specifics of NJ state law.

To me - this has the feel of a stupid fraternity prank that pledges are coerced to do (regardless of the weapon classification). It falls in the family with sneaking into someone’s private backyard and dumping sand bags in their pool. Or a major egging / TP job on someone’s house. I consider these things to be very big deals too and would punish my kid significantly for any of the above but I still think a full missed season of action sounds severe if the kid(s) do the “next right things” (we just watched Frozen with my daughter so I’m borrowing the term…)

 

[Hardslider21]

NJ has sane gun laws. Other states, not so much…

How that working out for the state? Criminals here have them and people can’t defend themselves or their family ... brilliant

 

[WhiteBus]

Zero chance of that happening. Ask them to pay their own way for a year, and they'll find a school that won't. Besides, under B1G rules I don't think pulling their ship is even an option.

Even when your not on the team??

 

[AreYouNUTS]

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

This (very likely) will not go down as “aggravated assault” when all is said and done.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

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

Didn’t it (or something very similar)just happen at Oregon and the kids were given a one game suspension then it was removed before the season even started? I don’t recall anyone here yelling that they should shut down their program.

 

[RUInsanity]

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

Funny, could be wrong but I don't recall you clamoring for Jacob Young to be kicked off the Basketball team after his DUI last year.

 

[mikemarc1]

Funny, could be wrong but I don't recall you clamoring for Jacob Young to be kicked off the Basketball team after his DUI last year.

nope. One is a felony and one is not

 

[thegock]

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.

A decade ago, one of my son's second tier friends was suspended from Rutgers for a semester, because of paintballing. I don't remember the specifics, except for his dad being PISSED about that and another suspension, which cost the family a year of tuition, room and board.

Not sure what Rutgers' policy is on this, but there is a possibility of consequences from the University. Dumb move--grow up.

 

[RUAldo]

I’m shocked about Melton based on his family’s close ties to the team. I have no sympathy for idiots that jeopardize their college careers for something so stupid. I’d be more sympathetic if they sent a dick-pic to a girl or some social media gaffe. But, driving around shooting a paintball gun is about as bad as it gets other than having a real loaded weapon.

 

[mikemarc1]

Didn’t it (or something very similar)just happen at Oregon and the kids were given a one game suspension then it was removed before the season even started? I don’t recall anyone here yelling that they should shut down their program.

yes. But On here posters are much more critical of PSU. Sometimes too overly critical

 

[Eagleton96]

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

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!

Any felony and you are off the team? Is that the new standard? Is this for football only or for any RU student athlete? Is that a good standard for all D1 athletes everywhere? Should D2-3 be at that standard?

 

[RutgersRaRa]

nope. One is a felony and one is not

If a state enacted a law that said driving 20 mph above the speed limit was a new class of felony, and someone in the military was on leave from active duty and was ticketed for doing 85 in a 65, should they be kicked out of the military since the military has a rule against felons being able to serve?

 

[mikemarc1]

Any felony and you are off the team? Is that the new standard? Is this for football only or for any RU student athlete? Is that a good standard for all D1 athletes everywhere? Should D2-3 be at that standard?

Should be standard, imo

 

[AreYouNUTS]

yes. But On here posters are much more critical of PSU. Sometimes too overly critical

Fair point.

 

[mikemarc1]

Any felony and you are off the team? Is that the new standard? Is this for football only or for any RU student athlete? Is that a good standard for all D1 athletes everywhere? Should D2-3 be at that standard?

Should be standard,

If a state enacted a law that said driving 20 mph above the speed limit was a new class of felony, and someone in the military was on leave from active duty and was ticketed for doing 85 in a 65, should they be kicked out of the military since the military has a rule against felons being able to serve?

Though a state would never do this and the example is ridiculous…yes.

you commit a felony..you’re done!

 

[RW90]

Not sure how Melton's family upbringing reflects on Max's role in this. Just as I would never blame my parents for all the incredibly stoopid things I did in high school and college. I'm not condoning the actions, but kids that age do things that are incredibly stoopid without any thought to the ramifications. I'm quite positive no parent on this green Earth would ever approve of shooting paintballs at unsuspecting pedestrians from a moving car.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Not sure how Melton's family upbringing reflects on Max's role in this. Just as I would never blame my parents for all the incredibly stoopid things I did in high school and college. I'm not condoning the actions, but when you are that age you tend to do things that are incredibly stoopid without any thought to the ramifications. I'm quite positive no parent on this green Earth would ever approve of shooting paintballs at unsuspecting pedestrians from a moving car.

I would assume the conversation between 2 former RU starters/letterwinners, an older brother ON the team and Max did NOT go in Max’ favor. Ooooooof.

 

[RUforlife]

I swear some people on this board would be happier if we were a member of the wine and cheese Patriot League playing our old rivals Lehigh and Lafayette. We are trying to compete against the likes of PSU, OSU, Wisconsin, etc., enough, suspend the kids for a game, and let's get the focus back on winning the B1G East. You come down hard on these kids and the message you are sending is not what you think, you will end up hurting recruiting and other kids in the transfer portal. The game is championships, not producing good citizens.

 

[RW90]

I would assume the conversation between 2 former RU starters/letterwinners, an older brother ON the team and Max did NOT go in Max’ favor. Ooooooof.

I agree 100%. I was just responding to all the posts wondering how Max could have done this with such strong family roots.

 

[mikemarc1]

I swear some people on this board would be happier if we were a member of the wine and cheese Patriot League playing our old rivals Lehigh and Lafayette. We are trying to compete against the likes of PSU, OSU, Wisconsin, etc., enough, suspend the kids for a game, and let's get the focus back on winning the B1G East. You come down hard on these kids and the message you are sending is not what you think, you will end up hurting recruiting and other kids in the transfer portal. The game is championships, not producing good citizens.

terrible take, imo

 

[GSGS]

yes. But On here posters are much more critical of PSU. Sometimes too overly critical

Woa, what do we have here? A genuine pedophile supporter!!! How can one be overly critical of a football program that covered up the molestation of dozens of young boys, and then fought their too-light sanctions every step of the way? mikey, you live in an alternative universe.

 

[Eagleton96]

Should be standard, imo

I don't think I agree, but I haven't looked at the full list of felony crimes. I might. But if ever there was a grey area, with how a paintball gun is classified, it's this one.

And in edit, I just looked at the list and it includes possession of marijuana, shoplifting, criminal mischief (like vandalism), contempt of court, aggravated assault. Sorry, that's too low a bar for dismissal.

 

[mikemarc1]

Woa, what do we have here? A genuine pedophile supporter!!! How can one be overly critical of a football program that covered up the molestation of dozens of young boys, and then fought their too-light sanctions every step of the way? mikey, you live in an alternative universe.

I’m just pointing out the double standard. These two men are on PSU..it’s the crime of the century on this board. Because they’re RU players, “it’s boys being boys”

 

[patk89]

So racial profiling doesn’t exist? Racism doesn’t exist? People aren’t more likely to call the cops on a black make than a white male?

speaking about what world people live in….. some are oblivious or racist themselves.

Greene you are the idiot who introduced racism in this thread. You are a complete and utter tool for doing so. Full stop. Racism exists. No one is saying otherwise you fool. But to say 2 white OLs would have been allowed to walk in this instance is racist. Next time keep your idiot thoughts to yourself you moron.

 

[Scarlet16E]

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.

That would be highly unusual based on many previous examples at other schools.
Likely a single mention that we have 2 players are on suspension.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Greene you are the idiot who introduced racism in this thread. You are a complete and utter tool for doing so. Full stop. Racism exists. No one is saying otherwise you fool. But to say 2 white OLs would have been allowed to walk in this instance is racist. Next time keep your idiot thoughts to yourself you moron.

I am far from an idiot.

what is your definition of racism?

where did I say 2 white OL would be allowed to walk?

I said if Melton was white it is possible the victim wouldn’t have called the police.

2 things….
1. The word possible
2. Never said police would have treated them differently (but that is still a possibility)

In my eyes anyone that thinks the probability that a victim calls the police is the same if the shooter of a paint gun is white or black really doesn’t understand the issue.

 

[RUAldo]

I swear some people on this board would be happier if we were a member of the wine and cheese Patriot League playing our old rivals Lehigh and Lafayette. We are trying to compete against the likes of PSU, OSU, Wisconsin, etc., enough, suspend the kids for a game, and let's get the focus back on winning the B1G East. You come down hard on these kids and the message you are sending is not what you think, you will end up hurting recruiting and other kids in the transfer portal. The game is championships, not producing good citizens.

In this day and age any college kid that thinks it’s a good idea to drive around shooting a paint-ball gun at students doesn’t belong at RU or any college for that matter. And as if Schiano and the staff don’t constantly make these athletes aware of the consequences to themselves and the team. I’m sure they are bombarded with stories of past mistakes that cost athletes college careers. Stupid is as stupid does.

 

[mikemarc1]

I am far from an idiot.

what is your definition of racism?

where did I say 2 white OL would be allowed to walk?

I said if Melton was white it is possible the victim wouldn’t have called the police.

2 things….
1. The word possible
2. Never said police would have treated them differently (but that is still a possibility)

In my eyes anyone that thinks the probability that a victim calls the police is the same if the shooter of a paint gun is white or black really doesn’t understand the issue.

why bring this up though? Has zero relevance.

It’s just as relevant to say if they hit three different victims, it’s possible those three wouldn’t have called the cops. Correct?

 

[Doctor Worm]

The game is championships, not producing good citizens.

That's not what Schiano tells every parent of every recruit in every living room in which he has ever sat. Are you saying he is BS-ing them? Or is he simply misinformed? Maybe you should set him straight.

 

[Plum Street]

That's not what Schiano tells every parent of every recruit in every living room in which he has ever sat. Are you saying he is BS-ing them? Or is he simply misinformed? Maybe you should set him straight.

Yes , he’s bs-ing them . It’s part of the business

 

[patk89]

I am far from an idiot.

what is your definition of racism?

where did I say 2 white OL would be allowed to walk?

I said if Melton was white it is possible the victim wouldn’t have called the police.

2 things….
1. The word possible
2. Never said police would have treated them differently (but that is still a possibility)

In my eyes anyone that thinks the probability that a victim calls the police is the same if the shooter of a paint gun is white or black really doesn’t understand the issue.

Oh, I get it. You assume it is possible that the victim is racist and would only call the police if the shooter was black? And shared that brilliant thought on this thread including your thoughts about 2 white OLs. That's not very bright and you appear to be someone that assumes racism in everything which is a terrible way to go thru life. Some people are just idiots no matter what race they are.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Oh, I get it. You assume it is possible that the victim is racist and would only call the police if the shooter was black? And shared that brilliant thought on this thread including your thoughts about 2 white OLs. That's not very bright and you appear to be someone that assumes racism in everything which is a terrible way to go thru life. Some people are just idiots no matter what race they are.

Why the anger? Why does it upset you to be presented with the thought white people have it easier in this world?

I don’t live with blinders.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

why bring this up though? Has zero relevance.

It’s just as relevant to say if they hit three different victims, it’s possible those three wouldn’t have called the cops. Correct?

As opposed to 2? I would agree with that.

My point is very relevant. Maybe it didn’t need to be said because we would never know. To not agree with my premise is really not understanding the problem.

Maybe I am underestimating what a paint ball gun is as I have never participated.

 

[mikemarc1]

Why the anger? Why does it upset you to be presented with the thought white people have it easier in this world?

I don’t live with blinders.

Cause this thread has nothing to do with that topic.

 

[mikemarc1]

As opposed to 2? I would agree with that.

My point is very relevant. Maybe it didn’t need to be said because we would never know. To not agree with my premise is really not understanding the problem.

Maybe I am underestimating what a paint ball gun is as I have never participated.

it certainly didn’t need to be said.

 

[RUScrew85]

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."?

LOL. I don't need to and you wouldn't either if you knew what you're talking about instead of exercising your hysteria here.

Where's the loud sound come from? You're incorrect in assuming firearms and paintball guns sound anything alike.

Bullets don't sting. Bullets hurt - a lot - like kill you hurt. Like the trauma of getting hit by a car, but in one little place. The vics would be much more likely to think they were stung by a bee or hit with a rock then shot from a real gun. Plus the lack of sound.

No wonder so many of you are anti-gun. You know nothing about them.

 

[RUScrew85]

Got it. It wasn’t funny.

How many times did you have to re-read it after I pointed it out.

Don't lie. Like six right?

Next time I'll type slower for you.

 

[RUBOB72]

I suspect the two players Melton and Long understand what they did constitutes some serious penalty phase .Beyond the embarrassment to their family , team and pain to the victims a punishment is justified. This being said , it is laughable to see the same posters , hoping and praying for an outcome of separation from the team and school. Perhaps I see it much differently since I have been involved with over 200 cases most of which were indictable felony offenses in NJ. As we have seen numerous times politics will come into the equation at some point. In NJ that is certainly a truism. Greg Schiano , when the time comes , will make the correct decision either way. This offense regardless of whether it is categorized a felony is BS . We have many , many of those same “ felony folks “ running free now because the system says it is ok. Punish them yes but these two student / athletes are not criminals . They need to realize what they did could have caused a very serious outcome. PTI is appropriate along with community service and some lengthy time away from the team. One chance and ONLY one chance.

 

[RUScrew85]

All sports fan message boards feature the following:
* Basking in Reflective Glory (BIRGing)
* Cutting Off Reflective Failure (CORFing)
* moral relativism
* Media persecution complex

Are you smart about message boards or something?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Cause this thread has nothing to do with that topic.

I disagree. I agree that 90% don’t want to acknowledge.

As I said before I don’t have enough information to understand what being shot at with a paint gun means. To me it sounds like something that calling the police may be a hair overblown.