Despite the months of waiting, Washington Football team suspended Azeem Victor and Austin Joyner for the opener, and it’s killing me
The Washington Football season opener was intended to be a statement to the nation. The first game on the east coast, the statement game, the first impression.
In addition to Austin Joyner's suspension (2 games), senior LB Azeem Victor has been suspended for Friday's opener at Rutgers.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) August 28, 2017
Now this isn’t about mutinous behavior. Simply the first test of the head coach’s resolve over team rules. Break them, and suffer the consequences. The word out of Adam Jude, a respected writer for the Seattle Times and someone who is quite plugged into the Washington Football team, is that the two players failed a drug test.
"Azeem's a good guy...you have team standards, you live by them." -Petersen on Azeem Victor one game suspension
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) August 28, 2017
Didn’t happen on the football field
On one hand, this opener is not just about Washington football player suspensions. In fact, the aerial assault of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will be short one receiver as Rutgers head coach Chris Ash announced that wide receiver Jawuan Harris has been suspended for violation of team rules.
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On the other hand, it is the season opener. The game is already slated to be a test of discipline, of preparation, and of desire. What breaks my heart is the suspension to the emotional leader of this team. It didn’t happen from overzealousness on the field. It happened before the team ever took the field.
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Azeem Victor broke his leg in November 2016. Now, it’s the start of a new season, and the team needs his talent and leadership on the field. But even moreso, the team needs the young man to lead by example.
Looking for a Full Breakdown of Game One? Check out: 2017 Washington Football opener Huskies at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The NFL is waiting, and watching
While Coach Petersen discounted the action, it does show poor judgement. And with a potential NFL career after this season, every poor decision now can cost him significant salary later. Even without team rules, the bottom line is how do talented players handle pressure? If the reports are true, that is a strike against Victor when it comes to how NFL general managers assess the young man. If pressure felt high before, it’s double now.
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I don’t think the game is at risk. The Washington Football team, overall, can handle the pressure and will take care care of business. NFL scouts will watch, and there will be plenty of highlights to fill their notepad with positive notations.
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But the undercurrent of this narrative can’t be ignore. Now the eyes and ears will train more quickly and decisively on players who seem to hesitate when the games become more important. Azeem Victor needed to make a huge statement in this season opener. The statement has been made. Unfortunately, it’s not what he wanted to tell the NCAA at all.