The Firing of Ed Reed

Bethune Cookman University’s Unequal Practice of Woke Politics and Social Justice

If you have not heard that Ed Reed a Hall of Fame NFL safety will not be taking the head coaching job at Bethune Cookman University, let me give you the rundown. Mr. Reed in the last few weeks released some Instagram lives posts highlighting the conditions of the university. His language was not always politically correct and often NSFW, but his passion was always well-placed.

The key statement Reed was making was regarding some of the campus conditions.  He stated, "I just pulled up the work. We're going to try to help y'all too man”. He continued, “ because I know a lot of HBCUs need help. I'm just here to help here first," he said. "I see it all too clearly.  All of our HBCUs need help. And they need help because of the people who's running it. Broken mentalities out here. I'm going to leave you with that. I gotta get in the office." 

Ed Reed would go on to apologize for his passions: 

 My language and tone were unacceptable as a father, coach, and leader. My passion for our culture, betterment, and bringing our foundation up got the best of me and I fell victim while engaging with antagonists on social media as well. I am fully aware of the hard-working folks at our school who are also fighting to make things better and more financially sound. I am encouraged from my communication with my AD and our administration and understand it's a work in progress. My passion is about getting and doing better and that goes for me too.

After a good-faith apology, the administration still seemed determined to move forward toward his termination.  This shows the matrix of how woke politics undermine core principles like managing decent facilities but demand lip service that shows no forgiveness.  He could not express his frustration on his platform about the trash, lack of pride, and resources on the campus.  In my life, I played high school football, and I can be the first to tell you in an era where I trained in the California summers during “Hell Week” those lessons teach young men many things. Some of the core aspects are resilience, focus, accountability, and leadership. 

I had the privilege of being able to speak to Austin, a current Bethune Cookman tight end who would have played for Ed Reed. To say that he was not negatively affected by the decision to let Mr. Reed go would be an understatement. Austin spoke of the tradition Mr. Reed was already starting before he signed a contract.  One thing that caught my ear was how Mr. Reed unified sports programs including girl's track, to pick up trash on the school grounds every Sunday. 

During Austin’s time playing for the school prior to Reed, he explained that the university currently does not feed its students enough to compete.  And their equipment including helmets were shared. The health risk of sharing helmets as per this New York Times article: On sports teams, infections can be transmitted in several ways. “The most common involve close contact,” Dr. Davies said. Skin infections can be transmitted directly, especially in wrestling, rugby, and football. They can also be transmitted via mats or floors, shared towels, or communal use of such equipment as callus cutters or soccer shin guards. 

In an article by equity sportswriter Mike Freeman, he states: “But that not-giving-a-damn isn't the attitude you necessarily want as a college football coach. In his few weeks at Bethune-Cookman, that trait morphed into something different, as Reed engaged in shaming the university, angering school officials and humiliating himself in the process”.  Bethune-Cookman is named after Mary McLeod Bethune who is, and this is not an overstatement, one of the greatest Americans who ever lived. That historical standard of excellence doesn't need Ed Reed to save it. It will always live long and prosper.

In response to this, I ask, how does the wokeism of Mr. Freeman’s statement help someone who practices on a substandard field and spoke about playing in moldy helmets? Bethune Cookman received through the American Rescue Plan Act $33 million and that money can be used for safety and health measures. Also, the university has been dealing with fraud accusations over the last 5 years under two defunct Presidents along with their board of Trustees. They lost $9.8 and $9.9 million in two straight tax years before the pandemic. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, the GOP-controlled legislator, and leaders at Bethune-Cookman University glowed after news that the private school, on the edge of surviving for the past couple of years, would be getting $17 million, including $13 million of that in new, recurring money from the state. 

Bethune Cookman University like so many universities in America made a pledge to its students to practice Social Justice. In the most recent Student Handbook, the values of the university are: 

F - Faith: We recognize and uphold the Christian tradition while welcoming the diversity of faiths.

I - Integrity: We live in a way that reflects our deepest convictions.

R - Respect: We recognize the inherent dignity and worth of each person.

S - Service: We seek social justice through civic engagement.

T- Thirst for Knowledge: We are engaged in the continuous pursuit of learning that transforms us and the world.

The handbook goes on to state, Social Justice: Bethune-Cookman University students are just and equitable in their treatment of all members of the community and act to discourage and/or intervene to prevent unjust and inequitable behaviors.

The University’s official statement in this situation stated:  “While we appreciate the initial interest in our football program displayed by Mr. Reed during the course of recent weeks, we are also mindful of the qualities and attributes that must be exhibited by our institutional personnel during what have been uniquely challenging times for our campus as we recover from the impact of two hurricanes during this past fall semester.”

In closing, I ask to those in the equity crowd who are agreeing with the firing of Reed. Where is his “restorative justice”? The students have already begun protests on campus and are demanding Reed be reinstated and the Trustees removed. 

Apparently to the administration and those in power at Bethune Cookman, if you are not politically correct you don’t deserve equity. Which is why the matrix of wokeism could never develop a better tomorrow when all are not equally treated within its practice. Mr. Reed wasn’t asking to be a savior. He wanted to be a football coach and football coaches who win aren’t woke.