Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

In my four years covering college football I met all kinds of players. I interviewed some of the nicest guys in the world, I encountered players who made my sides hurt from laughing, I met guys who were quiet and ones who would talk for hours, quotable players and cliché players. In my experiences, I also met guys I found repulsive.

I had the chance to interview Brock Berlin, Kevin Jones, Kellen Winslow, Pat Watkins, Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams, Jason Campbell, Marcus Vick and tons of other now-NFLers. Each of these guys were different in their own ways.

When I read a column about Florida standout freshman Percy Harvin on ESPN.com last week, I was reminded of every player I met in college that I hated.

Being that I lived in Virginia for eight years, I followed high schools in the Mid-Atlantic region religiously — as I am starting to up here on Long Island. I’ve known about Harvin for the last three years and I was never a fan of this kid —last week’s article by Mark Schlabach confirmed that.

I should say that my dislike of Harvin started during his college recruitment when the Virginia Beach product practically made a mockery of his in-state schools by saying he wanted to play for a winner. While he is right (Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia haven’t exactly won any national championships in football lately, err ever), I’ve never heard of a player trash his home state the way he did.

Harvin was considered the top football prospect in the country and has gotten off to a fast start at Florida, but an attitude like the one he has will only get him so far. I suggest you read the article for yourself but it talks about incidents he was involved with in high school that I remember all too well.

He related a high school brawl, shoving a referee, getting spit on and being banned from defending 5 gold medals in track by being the only star on the field. The only problem I have with that is his Landstown High School teammate Damon McDaniel was among the top wide receivers in the country as well — he now plays for Florida State.

I’ve played and followed sports my whole life. I know confidence is a big part of competitive spirit and is a driving force behind some of the best athletes in the world. But don’t be so cocky that you embarrass yourself. I’ve met plenty of standup players who were icons in college football. Darryl Tapp, an All-American defensive end for Virginia Tech, now Seattle Seahawk, is one of the nicest people (not just athletes) that I’ve ever met.

Percy, give Darryl a call and learn a little lesson in humility and respect.