WSU Cougars lose Game 3 to Utah but its about more than a game
Yes, the Washington State Cougars lost to Utah on Saturday. Our biggest takeaway from the game is about more than the game.
The Washington State Cougars lost a football game on Saturday. There’s nothing particularly earth-shattering or even slightly unusual about that. The team is in a transitional period, and it looks like the current regime may not be up to the task of handling that transition.
Today that’s neither here nor there. Today both of these teams, their schools, and their communities are mourning the losses of two young men while another fights for his life. They are athletes, students, but most of all, they’re people. People with families, friends, and loved ones who are hurting today and trying to make sense of senseless.
Perspective
Nick Rolovich voiced his pride at the effort his team showed in playing while knowing their teammate was shot before the start of the game. I agree it must have been difficult to go out and play while not knowing Brandon Gray‘s condition. However, I question why they were put in that position in the first place. They were informed about the shooting prior to kickoff with no certainty as to Gray’s prognosis. Why play the game?
These are not professional athletes whose sole focus is football. They are supposed to be student-athletes, young people for whom football is an extracurricular activity. If you want to be really cynical, you can also point out this game would have no impact on the college football playoff, and it’s doubtful either team contends for a PAC-12 title this year. Why did this game need to happen?
Not just WSU
After the game, Utah defensive back Aaron Lowe was shot and killed while a still unidentified female with him is currently in critical condition. This was less than a year after Lowe’s teammate Ty Jordan was shot and killed. No arrests were made in Utah, while there is one individual in custody in Washington. Over the coming days and weeks, more information is sure to come out, but at the end of the day, there is no reason for any of this.
Monday, there will be press conferences, analysis, and talk about what’s next for the WSU program. We’ll debate if Nick Rolovich is the right coach to lead the Cougs. We’ll analyze the QB situation and if there are any good choices amongst the three. Someone will ask about Max Borghi‘s injury and Rolovich’s plan if his star running back will miss a lot of time.
Then we move on and return to normal. The families of Aaron Lowe, Brandon Gray, Liban Barre, and that unidentified young woman won’t be moving on. Their worlds are forever changed. Keep them in your thoughts if you can.