Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Treon Harris

After saving the Florida Gators on the road at Tennessee on Saturday, frosh QB Treon Harris is suspended for a potential domestic sexual assault. 

University of Florida President Bernie Machen issued a statement on the indefinite suspension of Harris, and given the political times we currently live in, that seems appropriate.

It is worth noting charges have NOT been filed, but in this boiling environment surrounding domestic violence, anybody and everybody is guilty until proved innocent.

I am a rival Seminole, so nobody at UF asked me, nor cares what I think.  But, given the current climate, I agree that Harris should be suspended pending completion of the investigation. I did not see it this way a little over a year ago when Florida State University did not suspend Jameis Winston pending completion of the investigation.  Unless you were against FSU, you did not either. 

This has not stopped the UF faithful from slinging barbs at the FSU brass, who are lacking leadership over the past year to be kind, in the aftermath of the allegations against Harris.

Domestic violence, particularly sexual assault, are very serious crimes.  If there is a positive to the recent slew of cases we have become aware of, it is that allegations in this area need to taken more seriously.  Thankfully, they are.

If found guilty, Harris should suffer the legal consequences of his action.

However, I do see a slippery slope I find most uncomfortable.  Many in the media, inclusive of the sports media which includes Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel, have loudly proclaimed Harris should never play another down at UF.  Should the allegations have merit, and Harris is charged, I have little doubt this will be the case.

It is noted that if he violated a code of conduct behavior matrix set by UF, they have every right to remove him from their team and university if deemed appropriate, for they are not bound by legalities for the privilege to represent the University of Florida.

However, major opportunities in life hang in the balance for Harris, and if he is not charged, he should be able to resume his career.  Perhaps the UF administration knows something I don't, but we seem to be swinging a big stick when the facts of the allegation remain uncovered, which will have a major affect on the life of Harris.

In the eyes of the media, and perhaps the UF brass who are taking great lengths to steer clear of potential bad press or protests, Harris seems guilty until proven innocent. Perhaps I am a growing minority, but at least for the time being, I thought in America, it was the other way around.