Once again, Jimmer Fredette amazes everyone in the sports world.
But this time it’s not because of a 50-point performance or 32-foot three-pointer. This time it’s because, well . . . Jimmer isn’t allowed to go to class.
That’s right; Jimmer isn’t allowed to go to class. Jimmer was told that he does not need to attend any of his classes because he may be too big of a distraction to the other students and himself. Instead Mr. Fredette will be taking his classes online for the remainder of the semester.
What’s  next? Will he not be allowed to walk in the commencement ceremony? Is he going to take away the spotlight from other students?
Now, come on – this is ridiculous.
You didn’t see Duke telling Nolan Smith that he wasn’t allowed to go to his classes because he would likely distract the learning process of his classmates.
It’s college sports. There likely will be at least one superstar per sport, per school.
They are going to get asked to sign autographs here and there. It is inevitable. Adults such as college students should be able to handle taking classes with popular athletes.
Yeah, BYU hasn’t had such a successful athlete like Jimmer since Steve Young–but let’s rationalize the situation. He’s in college to go to classes and to get his diploma.
Jimmer’s father claims he just too popular. He is said to have to wear a hoodie and avoid eye contact when out in public. It seems like Jimmer just cannot go anywhere without being spotted.
Kind of like when he’s on the basketball court.
You would think that because BYU has an honor code policy as strict as it does, they would expect other students to ignore the illuminating aura of Jimmer. You would think that these adults would have more to worry about in the honor code itself than to be captivated by a basketball record-setter.
Isn’t it also true he has been put on such a glamorized pedestal? Excusing Jimmer from the monotonous routine of walking to and sitting through class – something that most students despise – makes him out to be a one-man team
I wonder how his teammates, the ones who backed him all the way to the Sweet 16, feel about this.
Don’t get me wrong, Jimmer is an amazing player. Earning player-of-the-year awards, helping his team to top rankings, and averaging almost 29 points per game (his best: 52) deserve recognition. Not to mention a projected first-round-pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
At least let him finish out his days as a normal 22-year-old, the traditional way, before he becomes a highly paid celebrity of a professional athlete.
That is, if he becomes such an athlete.
It seems like it would be easier to send him to class rather than to hair and makeup.
