[socalstanfan1]

Stanford OL David DeCastro to reporter who approached sobbing K Jordan Williamson: "Leave him alone!"

That reporter needs to learn how to respect others.  I love DeCastro for defending his teammate-proud to have these guys represent our school. 

I agree with part of your statement.  As bad as I feel for Williamson, it's an unfortunate, sometimes uncomfortable part of being a reporter to have an obligation to approach a player in that situation. Hopefully he/she was approaching with tact, even sympathy, but there is almost a professional obligation to at least ask how the player is handling the situation.  As someone who flirted with the reporting profession years ago, I can say that was one big reason why I ended up moving in another professional direction.  It was just damned hard to impose when someone was grieving or suffering.  But I think the same willingness to impose is related to other, more admirable qualities, like the willingness to challenge people in power when they are trying to obstruct justice or hide information. 

On the other hand, I think DeCastro did just right.  He has an obligation to defend his team mate, to stand up for him in what has to be just a nightmarish moment for any competitor.  He's not a reporter, but a fellow student, and a teammate who has gone to war, figuratively speaking, with Williamson, and needs to show support.  I actually think this kind of loss, as painful as it is now, can help bring a team and coaching staff together for the future.  Obviously, DeCastro, Luck, Martin, and others are leaving for the NFL, but the coaches can rally the other players by reminding them how close they were.  It will be a different roster of players, but adversity can be a strong bond.

A victory would have been sweeter (and deserved); but time to look for the silver linings in these things, IMO

[socalstanfan1]

Stanford OL David DeCastro to reporter who approached sobbing K Jordan Williamson: "Leave him alone!"

That reporter needs to learn how to respect others.  I love DeCastro for defending his teammate-proud to have these guys represent our school. 

I agree with part of your statement.  As bad as I feel for Williamson, it's an unfortunate, sometimes uncomfortable part of being a reporter to have an obligation to approach a player in that situation. Hopefully he/she was approaching with tact, even sympathy, but there is almost a professional obligation to at least ask how the player is handling the situation.  As someone who flirted with the reporting profession years ago, I can say that was one big reason why I ended up moving in another professional direction.  It was just damned hard to impose when someone was grieving or suffering.  But I think the same willingness to impose is related to other, more admirable qualities, like the willingness to challenge people in power when they are trying to obstruct justice or hide information. 

On the other hand, I think DeCastro did just right.  He has an obligation to defend his team mate, to stand up for him in what has to be just a nightmarish moment for any competitor.  He's not a reporter, but a fellow student, and a teammate who has gone to war, figuratively speaking, with Williamson, and needs to show support.  I actually think this kind of loss, as painful as it is now, can help bring a team and coaching staff together for the future.  Obviously, DeCastro, Luck, Martin, and others are leaving for the NFL, but the coaches can rally the other players by reminding them how close they were.  It will be a different roster of players, but adversity can be a strong bond.

A victory would have been sweeter (and deserved); but time to look for the silver linings in these things, IMO