Link: Ezekial Knight looking for a new place to play

Very sad news. He was one of my favorite players on the current team.

How will his loss affect our defense, considering they're all dropping like flies?

Earle says he's gone, which means he's gone, but i find it interesting that Coach Saban has yet to make a statement (he's been on vacation for the past two weeks like most of the Athletic Department) if i were a gambling man i would say he we might get an announcement at SEC Media days.
 
Alex, nothing is ever 100%, and this is not either, even if it's 95%. First, he's got to find a doc who will say it's safe for him to play, and I can't imagine that happening, unless something comes up to shed different light on his condition. However, don't fall into the trap of thinking this is CNS's call, just because he hasn't issued a black and white statement yet. CNS would be the first to tell you that it's not his call...
 
Alex, nothing is ever 100%, and this is not either, even if it's 95%. First, he's got to find a doc who will say it's safe for him to play, and I can't imagine that happening, unless something comes up to shed different light on his condition. However, don't fall into the trap of thinking this is CNS's call, just because he hasn't issued a black and white statement yet. CNS would be the first to tell you that it's not his call...

I understand its not his call, but from what i've observed from past situations, Coach Saban is the face and the voice of this team so if and when anything official does happen, it would be from Coach Saban, no?

Could it be any doc, or does the Athletic Department have some say in what doc is allowed into the discussion?

I'm heading to bed, been up too long for my own tastes and sleep cycle but i look forward to your input on this subject Earle, as always.
 
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LOL! Here I am thinking I've got to get up at 5:00 AM for my regular AM exercise and that this student could keep me answering all night long. :D Well, the team docs (not just Fowler) have said "no play." That was the reason that a second opinion was being sought, last I heard, and that's by the Knight folks, not by the team. The bottom line is that EK would die to play (unfortunately), and CNS would love for him to play. However, CNS' statements have been pretty strong on the subject. It's necessary to really parse his words to find any wiggle room at all. My guess, and it's only that, that CNS is holding out that 5% or so, but it's so remote that we're only spending time on this because it's the off-season. Well, that, and the fact that we need competent LBs so badly...
 
Very sad news. He was one of my favorite players on the current team.

How will his loss affect our defense, considering they're all dropping like flies?
Well it certainly won't be good. We're thin as it is, the defense will just have to grow up in a hurry. I'll miss watching ole #47 this year. I wish him a long and happy life. :BigA:
 
How will his loss affect our defense, considering they're all dropping like flies?

I don't think this really changes anything.

I would love to have him back, but I think we've all known for several months now that Zeke was not going to make it back. This most recent news only confirms what we've known all along. I'm sure the staff has long since been preparing for life without Zeke, and honestly the fans have too.
 
I was really hoping Zeke would be cleared to play as he's one of my faves. But is risking your health, and possibly life (since it is heart related) worth it just to play football for one more? He's going to graduate and IMO no other schools are going to clear him. Can you imagine the backlash their athletic department would receive if something terrible happened. Zeke needs to stay on board, ala AC Carter and coach up these young LB's. Carter played a big part in the early success of DJ Hall, Keith Brown and Matt Caddell. I think Zeke needs to do the same. Here's to his good health.
 
I feel for him. I can understand how he feels with wanting to play. When I was that age, I would have played even if the doctors said no, if I could. When your that young, you never think anything will happen to you. I wish him the best and hope he does the right thing for himself.
 
he needs to talk to Hank Gathers' family about playing a sport with a heart ailment.

Marvin Stone, too. If you guys don't remember him, he was from Huntsville (Grissom High) and played b-ball at Kentucky and Louisville, and passed away this spring during a game in Saudi Arabia.
 
I wish these kids could see how short life is and there are more important things than sports.........I pray that Zeke gets better and lives a very long life.
 
Man I sure wish him the best, regardless of what happens. I appreciate his desire and determination. Always played hard when he was on the field. God bless you, Zeke.

On a lighter note, the first thought that came to my mind when reading Ian's blog was God help the NAIA lineman that would ever be given the task of blocking Ezekial Knight...
 
Sounds like his family needs to step up and help him through this transition of his life, not give him what seems to be false hope of playing a game that could end his life.

Best wishes Zeke for a long and prosperous life.
 
I respect his desire, heart and drive but a more mature adult needs to pull him aside and let him know there's no "rewind button" on life. I know doctors aren't perfect and make mistakes but I'm sure the staff has more in mind than a lawsuit for not clearing him to play.
 
Enough has been said publicly to this point that it's clear that it's more than just heart, and, last I heard, the cause of all of his symptoms wasn't yet clearly understood. It's possible to assess a known risk and make an intelligent decision about taking on that risk. When the risk is not quantifiable, the only choice is to be conservative. Given that situation, I don't think a school at any level will assume the risk of playing him...
 
I respect his desire, heart and drive but a more mature adult needs to pull him aside and let him know there's no "rewind button" on life. I know doctors aren't perfect and make mistakes but I'm sure the staff has more in mind than a lawsuit for not clearing him to play.

Exactly right! There have been many kids who would have loved to have had any little advance warning in situations just like this but weren't as lucky.

No one should live life terrified of whats around the corner or what might happen but one shouldn't press their luck either. Balance is required in anything.
 
Official notice came today in the Birmingham News. At least he's transferring AFTER he graduates in August.

Best of luck to him in everything he does in the future....

Clicky
 
Tide's Knight said looking to play elsewhere
Faulkner University coach Jim Nichols told The Birmingham News that the senior spoke with him about enrolling at Faulkner. Knight is set to graduate in August and has not yet been medically cleared for the 2008 season.

Nichols said he looked into whether Knight could come to the NAIA school in Montgomery. He said it's not possible because Alabama hasn't officially stated Knight's status. His name is still on the official Tide roster.
 
I was really hoping Zeke would be cleared to play as he's one of my faves. But is risking your health, and possibly life (since it is heart related) worth it just to play football for one more? He's going to graduate and IMO no other schools are going to clear him. Can you imagine the backlash their athletic department would receive if something terrible happened. Zeke needs to stay on board, ala AC Carter and coach up these young LB's. Carter played a big part in the early success of DJ Hall, Keith Brown and Matt Caddell. I think Zeke needs to do the same. Here's to his good health.

Having Zeke around to help coach the young LB's would be great. Since he's graduating in a few weeks, why not go on for his Master's while he's at it????????
 

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