In late 2006 the story of Ray Ray McElrathbey, a running back at Clemson, spread across the nation. Ray Ray, 19 years old at the time, formerly adopted his 11 year old brother from their broken home (mom addicted to crack and father addicted to gambling). Ray Ray became Fahmarr's legal guardian. 19 years old. Most college kids that age are worrying more about what party to go to rather than what movie he and his brother should watch. The NCAA then allowed Ray Ray to take aid from the school in the form of food clothes and babysitting, a very rare feat. All was well.
Then Tommy Bowden showed his true colors. In March 2007 he announced that Ray Ray would not be returning to the football team. They were pulling his scholarship because "we're pretty good at running back." That is pathetic. Where is the allegiance to a young man who is staying in on his weekends to take care of his brother. He washed cars and mowed lawns in his free time in order to provide more for Fahmarr. But Bowden decided that he was not the kind of kid he wanted in his program. Recently a Clemson safety was arrested on assault charges for strangling his girlfriend. Now that is a good judge of character on Bowden's part.
Ray Ray, however, has found a new home, Howard. He announced this week that he will transfer to the school because of it's academics. He will indeed take his brother with him. The two should have no problems, they have overcome a lot more than the cold-hearted Tommy Bowden.
