My View:Markish Jones Case Produces More Questions Than Answers

The Markish Jones case is very troubling and I believe that FSU should be fighting the ACC ruling. In my opinion, I do not think any court would interpret the Letter of Intent (LOI) in the manner the ACC ruled. So let's ask some questions:

What was the ruling by the ACC?

The ACC said that Markish Jones was obligated to Clemson because he had signed the LOI even though he did not fax it to Clemson. He did however fax a LOI to FSU. According to FSU, ""(our) interpretation the last 10 years is the letter of intent is binding once the institution receives the copy of the letter signed by the player and parent (or guardian) and signed letter grant in-aid with with all the information is filled out."

How ludicrous is this interpretation by the ACC?

Here are some hypotheticals that may illustrate how ludicrous the ACC ruling is:

If a kid executes a LOI in the privacy of his own home with parents as witnesses, then changes his mind, then rips up the LOI, then signs another LOI with another school, does the ACC take the position that the original LOI is binding as to that kid?

What if a kid executes a LOI in front of video cameras at school, then immediately changes his mind and rips up the LOI, then signs another LOI with another school, does the ACC take the position that the original LOI is binding as to that kid?

Sounds ridiculous.

If Jones signed the thing and then ripped it up and never delivered it to Clemson via fax or mail, how can the ACC or NCAA can take that position?

Can FSU appeal the decision?

Apparently, FSU does not have standing to initiate an appeal. However, I believe that FSU should legallychallenge the issue of standing in this case. Also, Markish Jones could appeal. Do you think there is a snowball's chance that he could withstand the pressure from Bowden and Clemson if he chose to appeal the decision?

So what is the reaction of Markish Jones?

His comments are very intersting. Here is what he said."I think this is all for the best and I'm not disappointed at all," Jones said. "I think it's best that I just go ahead and go to Clemson because it's about being around people you're comfortable with."

Jones also added: "I think it's definitely all for the best right now with all the rules and the ACC talking about Florida State getting on some kind of probation and all that. I didn't want to make them go through that or me having to go through that."

This sounds like a kid that is not 100% committed to Clemson. In addition, it sounds as if he was "fed" misinformation by Tommy Bowden or Clemson boosters that he or FSU might get probation for this. Do you think this South Carolina kid had a tremendous amount of pressure applied ? Here again, he was quoted as saying he " didn't want to make them go through that or me having to go through that."

What about the comments of Tommy Bowden?

Tommy Bowden is fighting for his job and apparently will say and do anything to keep it. Bowden took a cheap shot at FSU and his dad. This classless coach said the following, " Obviously it was pretty good work on (Florida State's) part by trying to undermine the rules and regulations of the NLI, but it did not work.”

T.k. Wetherell, Dave Hart, and/or Bobby Bowden should make a very strong statement in regard to this comment by Tommy Bowden. Bowden and Clemson are impugning the most important "brand" in FSU athletics, namely, the FSU football program. To let this comment stand without a response damages the program.

What role did Tommy Bowden and the Clemson boosters have in this appeal?

First, the university has the right to appeal. However, the question is if Tommy Bowden and.or the Clemson boosters pressured Markish Jones. What did they say to him or what did they offer? There should be an NCAA investigation into the actions of the Clemson football program. As I have said before, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a lot beneath the surface that needs to see the light of day.