Ray Ray and Fahmarr

The title sounds like a ghetto nursery rhyme, right?

Well, the “feel good liberal” is back after a series of mechanical difficulties. Anyway, I came across a story this week that really moved me, well not really, but it could have moved me if necessary.

I’m talking about the story of Ramon ‘Ray Ray’ McElrathbey, the 19-year-old Clemson red shirt cornerback and special teams player who is raising his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr. (Take notice, no clever jabs at either of their names. I really am in a good mood).

In short, Ray Ray’s mom is a crack head and his father has a gambling problem… you know, one of those really horrible situations. Ray Ray and his seven other siblings - yes there are 8 total - had been shuffled through the crippled foster care system for years, and when his mom relapsed, instead of allowing his brother to go down that dreadful path, Ray Ray was awarded temporary custody of Fahmarr and is raising him in his off campus apartment. Sweet story, no?

It gets better. Folks found out about Ray Ray’s situation and began to ponder where to send money. Clemson wanted to set up a trust for lil Fahmarr. What’s the problem? You guessed it. The problem is that the NCAA has very VERY strict rules on how much players can receive… NONE. Over the past few weeks, Ray Ray appealed to see if he could receive assistance beyond his scholarship and a few days ago, the NCAA decided to allow Ray Ray to receive these outside funds.

This was great, I thought. Someone in need received aid. That’s what America was about. Apparently, I was more convinced than Ray Ray. Homeboy was on all the news shows including ESPN and NPR. He’s well spoken and needed no help telling his story. That is until one quest was asked “Ray Ray, how come an exception was made for you and not for your other teammates with kids?” Ray Ray’s response: “Errrrrrrr, I-uh-no.”

And I mean, this nigga stumbled. Apparently, there are a lot of college players who have children. This left poor Ray Ray to defend himself against claims that he is allowed to abuse the system while his teammates with chirrens get screwed.

Well don’t worry Ray Ray, I’m coming to your defense. First of all, folks have it in their heads that lil’ Fahmarr is going to be pushing a hummer with all the trimmings. This is not true. The trust fund is well monitored and regulated by a team of what I can only assume are good white folks.

And second: Fahmarr aint your child Ray Ray. You didn’t ask for the task… but you were man enough to accept it. I cant hate. (That’s Sonny’s job..LOL) Enjoy your weekends!