Sport

A Son’s Choice

National Signing Day, which was Feb. 2, is getting out of control. Palm Beach Post columnist Greg Stoda describes one rather cruel scene involving Pahokee, Fla., running back Antone Smith, who chose Florida State over Miami:

Antone Smith is going to Florida State, and good for him and the Seminoles.

But bad on him for how he chose to make the announcement, which left Classie Smith all but inconsolable. She wanted her son, who was Florida’s Mr. Football last season in leading the Blue Devils to a state title, to go to nearby Miami so she could easily attend all his home games.

No problem that Smith decided to go to Florida State, because a young man in his position has to do what he feels is best for himself above all else. His mother even acknowledged her own selfishness for wanting Smith to become a Hurricane.

The problem, though, had to do with her son’s dramatic production in a big and theatrical tease.

Know when his mother found out he’d be going to Florida State? The same time everybody else did.

That’s more than sad. That’s callous and cruel.

“He never told me,” she said after having composed herself. “I wish he had told me.”

Nice, way to acknowledge your mom.