Tim Tebow Proposes Second Chance for BYU's Brandon Davies
No stranger to conservative religious values, Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow proposed the idea of giving Brigham Young University's basketball player Brandon Davies a second chance despite his violating the school's honor code.
Tebow, while acknowledging that he does not know details of the incident, said, "I do always think that people definitely deserve second chances because no one is perfect and we mess up every day," in a video interview with the Orlando Sentinel posted Saturday.
"There should be a punishment, but I don't know that he should maybe … I don't know. I don't even know the situation, but I just always think about giving people a second chance. Maybe he deserves one, but I don't know the situation," the outspoken evangelical football star said about Davies' situation.
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Davies had violated the honor code of BYU, a school affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), when he admitted to having sexual relations with his girlfriend. The Provo, Utah-based university prohibits premarital sex, profanity, consumption of alcohol and drugs, as well as coffee and tea.
The high-profile player on the No.3-ranked team first approached his coach, Dave Rose, and athletics director, Tom Holmoe, for guidance on the situation. After talking to his coach and athletics director, Davies reportedly went to the honor code office to explain the situation, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
"We have a lot of experience with honor code violations and issues in many different respects. And the one way that we are consistent in dealing with it is that we do it right," said Holmoe to the local newspaper.
"Everybody who comes to BYU, every student if they're an athlete or not an athlete, they make a commitment when they come. A lot of people try to judge if this is right or wrong. It's not about right or wrong. It's about commitment," said Rose.
News of Davies suspension from BYU's men's basketball team for the remainder of the season has sparked debate about the school's honor code.
Amar'e Stoudemire, center/forward for the New York Knicks, tweeted Friday, "Don't ever go to BYU, they kick a Young Educated (Black) Brother OUT OF SCHOOL. The kid had premarital sex. Not suspended, Not Release. Wow!"
He added, "P.S. With his girlfriend. Come on BYU don't kick the kid out of school. Let's be honest he is n (sic) college. Let the kid live a little."
But on Saturday, the NBA player's tweet was calmer and more respectful, "I totally understand the actions of BYU, I totally respect the school an (sic) the conduct rules. BYU has a great athletic program."
Heisman trophy winner Ty Detmer, one of BYU's biggest sports stars, defended the school's honor code in an interview with The Sporting News, "I think it proves the school is willing to stand its ground … amidst one of its greatest seasons ever in basketball."
It is still unclear if Davies will remain a student at BYU. An honor code review committee is in charge of making that decision, but BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins told ESPN that there is no date set yet for making that decision.
