A former NFL star is sounding off on the conduct of Columbia University students protesting the war in the middle east. There have been protests all around America on college campuses, and more recently, there have been ‘encampments’ where students take over part of the school for their protest.
Former NFL Star Is Disgusted By His Alma Mater
Columbia has gotten the most attention of any of these ‘protests’ when some of the students barricaded themselves into a building on campus and withheld janitors from leaving the building. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has already come out with a letter saying how he will not be sending money to his alma mater anymore:
“I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country. I am no longer confident that Columbia can protect its students and staff and I am not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken.”
Now former NFL star and Columbia alumni Marcellus Wiley is sounding off on his former school and wants the students to use all their passion and energy in a positive and productive way, as opposed to destroying their own campus.
It is incredible to see the youth so passionate about issues that are going on in the world, and these young students wants to see change and justice, but according to Wiley, they can be using all this power in much better ways.
Marcellus Wiley Sounds Off On Columbia
Wiley started his football career at the prestigious university and then went on to play in the NFL. He is disgusted by the conduct of these students destroying their own campus as if that has anything to do with helping the situation.
“I’m disgusted,” Wiley told Outkick. “I don’t pick the political side… it doesn’t matter what side you are politically on this one. You don’t have the right to protest and be unruly. Now peacefully protest, go do it.”
“I talk to these kids and I know my foundation, Project Transition, I’m always in the community and talking to these kids… half these kids don’t even know why they out there protesting. It’s unreal… like it’s insane.” Wiley added. “And the ones that do know also know that this is not the end all be all. There are other steps and measures you must take beyond protesting.”
While Wiley said he’s unsure of what needs to be done moving forward, he knows that we have to rebound.
“So I don’t know why these kids are going to this extent… creating encampments, destroying their university, their property, their reputation, because when you leave people ask ‘Where did you go to school?’ and then their minds goes to two places. The positive, academic reputation, great curriculum…. and then awe Columbia… the place where all the protests, the place where all the kids can’t even be controlled, the place where the leadership didn’t step in fast enough, swift enough. So it damages your reputation, but we will rebound because we have to rebound.”
It is scary that the university has had to basically cancel their graduation, and there have been numerous reports of Jewish students getting abused on campus by protestors.
It is amazing to see that the youth has so much for passion for making the world a better place, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Wiley, like many others, want to see the students do something productive as opposed to destroying their university.
Related: New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Takes Significant Action Toward Columbia University Amidst Anti Jewish Violence