Kansas football cannot continue to lose players

Kansas football coach David Beaty dismissed a second player from the 2017 team Monday. This team cannot afford to lose any more athletes.

Once again, the Kansas football team lost a student athlete. On Monday David Beaty took swift action and dismissed a player from his team. I am glad Beaty didn’t simply suspend Macaih Long.

As a matter of fact, after learning of the allegations, Beaty probably had no choice. The Associated Press reported Long, 19, was in jail for alleged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

I don’t know if I’d ever heard Long’s name until Monday. Now I don’t want to hear it again. Negative publicity surrounding Jayhawk athletes continues to show up in the news. I’m tired of it. On the other hand, I realize these student athletes are just kids.

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Beaty took similar action just three weeks ago when he sent wide receiver, speedster LaQuvionte Gonzalez down the road for a violation of team rules. I don’t know what prompted that decision and I don’t care.

I know Gonzalez did not find his name on a booking report. He is already practicing with an NAIA team in Florida.

With less than two weeks to the season opener, the Jayhawk coaching staff needs to focus on the athletes who want to play this season.

Long obviously didn’t consider the team or his role or we would not have to write this. It is another embarrassment for Kansas athletics. Both the football team and basketball team need to strive to eliminate these types of news stories in the future.

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Long did not contribute much to last season’s team. I don’t know what role coaches expected of him this season. I do know the Kansas football team cannot afford to lose athletes. Coach Beaty needs every talented player possible for a successful season.

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