Lots of heat generated yesterday on the Intertubes about Les Miles’ decision to reinstate Jeremy Hill. On one level, I understand the outrage, but Miles hasn’t decided on Hill’s punishment yet, so for me, the jury is still out on that front.
But if you want a good place to direct some anger, I’ve got a suggestion on where to start.
Jackson noted that Hill had completed the conditions of his 2012 probation before he “sucker-punched” a man outside Reggie’s.
“That technically is a violation of probation,” she said.
The judge, who said she wanted to hear directly from Hill, then had a long back-and-forth exchange with the idled running back.
“There are a lot of people who want to speak on your behalf, but there are also a lot of people in the community who want to see you go to jail,” she said.
Jackson asked Hill why it is that some people “want to see you fail.”
“I made some mistakes in my life and they don’t think I deserve a second chance,” Hill replied.
The judge asked Hill if he has seen the cellphone video of himself punching a man in the side of the head outside Reggie’s.
“I just feel so terrible for what I did,” he answered. “I let my emotions get the most of me.”
Jackson suggested the video depicts a level of “arrogance” on Hill’s part because he is seen laughing after throwing the punch.
“To see you laughing about sucker-punching that young man, it struck people that, ‘I’m Jeremy Hill. I can do whatever I want. Ha ha ha.’ ”
The judge then proceeded to give him an additional penalty of 40 hours of community service and let him go with the proverbial “stern warning”. Gee, I wonder where Hill got the impression he can do whatever he wants.
The good news is that he intends to “continue to be a role model for the kids in the community.” His words. Seriously.