Randy Shannon has issued a straightforward warning to his University of Miami football players:
Get caught carrying a firearm and your days as a Hurricane are over.
After two shooting incidents involving UM players last year, Shannon plans to enforce a "zero-tolerance'' policy regarding weapons.
"You get caught with a firearm, you're dismissed from the football team," UM's coach said Monday.
"They're gone. They know the rules. It's not hard rules. It's to protect them."
Asked about his players' constitutional right to own firearms, Shannon said: "I'm thinking about the University of Miami and the kids. When you have a firearm, there's a 50-50 chance that you're going to get hurt. So I said, 'Let's not put ourselves in those situations.'
"Make it a 100 percent chance that you're not going to hurt nobody and that nobody is going to get hurt."
Last July, UM safety Willie Cooper was shot in the buttocks by an unknown assailant outside his home in South Miami. Teammate Brandon Meriweather, who shared the home with Cooper, pulled a pistol from his pants and fired three times at the gunman, who escaped.
Police determined that Meriweather acted in self-defense, and no arrests have been made in the case.
On Nov. 7, UM defensive tackle Bryan Pata was shot and killed at his apartment complex shortly after a Hurricanes practice. Pata, who police say owned several weapons, was shot in the back of the head and the case remains unsolved.
Meriweather, who has completed his collegiate eligibility, understands Shannon's policy.
"Guns don't do nothing but get you in trouble," Meriweather said. "There really is no use for a gun in college. You've got to get rid of them. It's no time for them. If you're a team player, you won't have no problem getting rid of them."
So, players are getting shot, and the coach removes their right to defend themselves. Not having a gun = 100% safety. Wow, thems some higher learning going on in Miami.
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