Former five star recruit and transfer from LSU, Elias Ricks, has been arrested in Mississippi for possesion of marijuana, speeding, and no proof of insurance. The Devil works hard, but Lane Kiffin works harder.
The silver lining is Eli wasn’t charged with a DWI. I guess. It’s just silly living in a state where this wouldn’t have mattered. Eighteen states plus Washington DC have legalized marijuana since 2012. If he was in the right state, this would have been two traffic violations and a non story.
Ricks transferred to the University of Alabama back in December. Despite only playing six games for the Tigers last season due to a torn labrum, there was a lot of hype following Eli’s arrival in Tuscaloosa. The junior was once regarded as the heir apparent to this year’s third overall draft pick, Derek Stingley. Posting one of the most impressive freshman seasons in recent memory, Ricks had four interceptions including two pick-six’s and nine PBUs landing him Third-Team All-American and 2020 SEC All-Freshman Team honors. Notable top mock draft analyst, Steven Cheah, had Eli Ricks going 14th overall in next year’s draft. Following the arrest, people are wondering if he’ll even be playing for the Tide come this fall.
But Alabama fans know better. In fact, some Tide fans have even gone as far to celebrate the arrest. Why?
Because we’re sick. We’re a sick fan base who’s tunnel vision doesn’t allow anything besides seeing Saban raise the National Championship trophy. For starters, Eli Ricks clearly looks at least 6’5” in his mugshot even though he’s listed at 6’2”. But the second reason is much more complex than that.
There is a belief amongst some of the fans, that a pre-season arrest is a sign of a good omen. Allow me to explain.
Courtney Upshaw and his girlfriend were arrested for domestic violence following an incident at a gym. His girlfriend’s father came out on Upshaw’s behalf saying that he didn’t believe Upshaw laid a hand on her, that he was only trying to restrain her from getting hit again, and that it was probably initiated by his daughter. Tide went on to win the 2009 National Championship.
Cam Robinson and Hootie Jones were also arrested for marijuana in their vehicle in Louisiana. Robinson who was a projected first round pick at the time, was also slapped with a felony charge of possession of a stolen fire arm. Alabama went on to win the 2017 title that year.
Given the previous arrests there are some who believe Eli Ricks has solidified a National Championship with his possession charge. I think it’s more of a perfect example of post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. Which is Latin for “after this, because of this”. Which means two things that most likely aren’t connected but seem connected because of the order they came in. For example, if someone hypothesizes that the ice cream man only comes around in the summer, crime rates go up in the summer, ice cream must cause crime. That’s post hoc fallacy. Ice cream doesn’t cause crime. Arrests don’t cause National Championships.
Or who knows, maybe they do. Maybe when players are getting locked up, Saban drops the buddy-buddy act and toughens up on the team. One things for sure, I’m not worried about the character of a twenty year old kid who smokes weed and speeds. I can’t cast that stone.
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