Even though I have been following this story, I haven't made much public comment on it to date.  Partly because I wanted to wait to see how it played out.  (Although I already knew)  Also, because I hate getting into the topics on message boards because there are plenty of people that don't know how to hold a civilized conversation.  Mostly, because while I feel like there is a palatable double standard in this state, I really don't care how Clemson Athletics handles discipline issues.  But I feel compelled to speak on this situation.

First, yes, McDanniel was not convicted in a court of law, so we don't know for certain he did it.  But the circumstantial evidence is pretty damning.  First, his girlfriend shows up in the hospital bloodied and bruised.  His excuse:  she made it all up.  Second, for me, taking PTI is pretty much an admission of guilt.  I have known several people that went through Pre-Trial Intervention (admittedly mostly for drugs) and all of them were guilty as hell and caught red-handed.  PTI is generally reserved for first time offenders.  It gives them the benefit of the doubt that they won't always be delinquents and a clean slate.

But considering the nature of what he did, I was still a little surprised that absolutely no punishment was dealt out what-so-ever.  He didn't miss a practice and isn't going to miss a game.  Not even against the Citadel in week 2.  This sends a horrible message.  If you are even suspected of yelling at your significant other at South Carolina, you're off the team.  No questions asked.  It's happened.

If McDanniel had been busted for a small amount of weed and the case was dismissed, I wouldn't care.  But to send his girlfriend to the hospital and still be allowed to represent your University without any sanctions is unfathomable.

I think that this speaks more about Tommy Bowden than McDanniel.  There are always going to be bad apples on every team.  Its how they are handled that defines how a program is viewed. 

Clemson:  We'll do whatever it takes to just barely underachieve.