Florida State/QB Sexton

TallySaint · 07-04-2005, 02:49 PM

For those interested...

From The Tallahassee Democrat.

Jul. 04, 2005

As the season nears, 'Noles need answers

Column by Steve Ellis

DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Maybe one more round of golf. And another light-hearted moment that he can recall during stressful times in the fall. Then it it will be back to business for Bobby Bowden.

But it won't be business as usual for Florida State's veteran coach when he returns this week from vacation with family at Panama City, and with old friends in Birmingham, Ala.

The erratic behavior and subsequent hospitalization of starting quarterback Wyatt Sexton three weeks ago to this day has made certain of that. Even without knowing all the facts, it is clear Bowden returns to a complex and serious situation that demands one obvious resolution - do what's right for both Sexton and the Florida State team.

And a resolution needs to be reached as quickly as medical fact-gathering on Sexton's case can allow - again for the good of both Sexton and the team. Sexton's welfare remains the foremost concern, but preseason camp is just a month away. That's also reality.

With a likely tip to the Sexton family's privacy, Bowden hasn't said a word on the matter. Much sooner than later, that must change. Even his son Jeff, FSU's offensive coordinator, is eager to know what is ahead at the all-important quarterback position.

During the absence of Bobby Bowden and of any real answers about Sexton's situation, there still have been notable happenings.

This has been a mostly bright moment for the media and for sports fans - two groups that have rightfully taken major hits because of their insensitivity and seemingly a disregard for facts at times. The media hasn't shied away from the facts - reporting that police observed Sexton to appear to be under the influence of some "unknown narcotic or alcohol" when he was found half-dressed lying on a Tallahassee street and shouting that he was God. Friends, teammates and coaches have been sought for clues as to how we got to this point for such a bright and promising student-athlete.

Yet speculation has been limited lately. Fans, eager for news on Sexton and FSU's quarterback situation, have to a large extent reacted as they would if Wyatt Sexton had been their own son.

On the FSU practice fields, it is clear that, with each passing day and every pass tossed by freshmen Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford, FSU players are moving beyond June13 - and without their most experienced quarterback.

And with each passing day that Sexton remains under medical supervision, it becomes more possible that moving on for Wyatt Sexton might mean doing so without football. At least for now. Sexton's health must come first, above all else.

Those close to the situation privately insist that the Sextons don't yet have a definitive diagnosis for their son, and that any conclusion would remain speculative. But there has been enough information for some to advise the family to make a statement regarding Sexton's health in at least general terms. That first attempt on June16, in which drug abuse but nothing else was addressed, led only to more questions.

Soon, let's hope, we will have some answers from the Sextons and Bobby Bowden so that the recovery and regrouping can really begin.

8)

07-04-2005, 02:49 PM	#1
TallySaint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee Posts: 1,367	Florida State/QB Sexton For those interested... From The Tallahassee Democrat. Jul. 04, 2005 As the season nears, 'Noles need answers Column by Steve Ellis DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER Maybe one more round of golf. And another light-hearted moment that he can recall during stressful times in the fall. Then it it will be back to business for Bobby Bowden. But it won't be business as usual for Florida State's veteran coach when he returns this week from vacation with family at Panama City, and with old friends in Birmingham, Ala. The erratic behavior and subsequent hospitalization of starting quarterback Wyatt Sexton three weeks ago to this day has made certain of that. Even without knowing all the facts, it is clear Bowden returns to a complex and serious situation that demands one obvious resolution - do what's right for both Sexton and the Florida State team. And a resolution needs to be reached as quickly as medical fact-gathering on Sexton's case can allow - again for the good of both Sexton and the team. Sexton's welfare remains the foremost concern, but preseason camp is just a month away. That's also reality. With a likely tip to the Sexton family's privacy, Bowden hasn't said a word on the matter. Much sooner than later, that must change. Even his son Jeff, FSU's offensive coordinator, is eager to know what is ahead at the all-important quarterback position. During the absence of Bobby Bowden and of any real answers about Sexton's situation, there still have been notable happenings. This has been a mostly bright moment for the media and for sports fans - two groups that have rightfully taken major hits because of their insensitivity and seemingly a disregard for facts at times. The media hasn't shied away from the facts - reporting that police observed Sexton to appear to be under the influence of some "unknown narcotic or alcohol" when he was found half-dressed lying on a Tallahassee street and shouting that he was God. Friends, teammates and coaches have been sought for clues as to how we got to this point for such a bright and promising student-athlete. Yet speculation has been limited lately. Fans, eager for news on Sexton and FSU's quarterback situation, have to a large extent reacted as they would if Wyatt Sexton had been their own son. On the FSU practice fields, it is clear that, with each passing day and every pass tossed by freshmen Xavier Lee and Drew Weatherford, FSU players are moving beyond June13 - and without their most experienced quarterback. And with each passing day that Sexton remains under medical supervision, it becomes more possible that moving on for Wyatt Sexton might mean doing so without football. At least for now. Sexton's health must come first, above all else. Those close to the situation privately insist that the Sextons don't yet have a definitive diagnosis for their son, and that any conclusion would remain speculative. But there has been enough information for some to advise the family to make a statement regarding Sexton's health in at least general terms. That first attempt on June16, in which drug abuse but nothing else was addressed, led only to more questions. Soon, let's hope, we will have some answers from the Sextons and Bobby Bowden so that the recovery and regrouping can really begin. 8)