Vassallo: A Rush to Judgment

Picture by Danny Dickey

Hugh Freeze has not been accused of anything…nothing!

Despite this revelation, the Internet is boiling with speculation about the future of the Ole Miss football program and Coach Freeze in particular. The most recent media hype states that a NCAA suspension is definitely in play for Hugh Freeze. True, Ole Miss has been accused of 13 NCAA Rules Violations, however, we still reside in a democracy that allows the accused to defend oneself and they are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

A 2013 NCAA rule can ultimately penalize a coach for a rogue program that has gotten off track. Based upon what we know now, the program at Ole Miss is light years away from reaching this conclusion. And to begin the conspiracy discussions that our coach is directing such activities is a rush to judgment unlike anything we’ve seen since the Kennedy assassination.

Here is what Ole Miss is truly “guilty” of in the world of reality:

1. The rise in the SEC West to a true contender… Before Ole Miss’ ascent  to power no one actually cared about a team going 7-5 or worse. When you’re not a threat to the powers at be, you typically fly under the radar. We have (unfortunately) ever since the departure of John Howard Vaught.

2. Controlling the Tide in back-to-back seasons… When the mighty fall, screaming normally follows. The Rebels were just one play away in 2016 from Bama not winning the national championship. Nobody understood this more than our SEC family…nobody!

3. Hugh Freeze is a devout Christian….Thank The Lord!   Christians have been persecuted throughout the history of the world and Hugh Freeze is no exception. The society in which we find ourselves entrapped is one of political correctness with Christian beliefs and values having taken a back seat to Supreme Court rulings and globalization.

Ole Miss will have its opportunity to defend itself, and until that day arrives, this writer will proceed under the viewpoint of “an absence of malice.” Our enemies along with some media outlets are already jumping to conclusions and rushing to judgment before the facts can be presented. Without the 10-win season and Sugar Bowl trophy resting in the IPF, the level of chatter throughout social media would be comparable to debating who will be next year’s Kentucky Derby winner. In other words…nada!

Editor’s Note: HottyToddy.com agrees. That is why we have launched our “I Stand With Coach Freeze Campaign.” For more information about our campaign: CLICK HERE. To Donate to the campaign CLICK HERE.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

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