ARLINGTON, TX – JANUARY 12: Quarterback Cardale Jones #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches the final seconds before defeating the Oregon Ducks 42 to 20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on January 12, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Legend of Cardale Jones is the best story in sports at the moment.  It’s the story of a third string quarterback coming out of nowhere to come off the bench to lead his team to victory in three straight trophy games, including conquering the unconquerable SEC and then winning a national championship.

Jones called a press conference yesterday in his native Cleveland to announce his decision on turning pro and going to the NFL or staying in school.  The existence and location of the announcement at the Ginn Academy seemed to be a sign Jones was coming out.  Instead, Cardale surprised us all over again and announced he was staying in school because of the importance of his education and not quite being ready for the NFL.

Jones’ story remains too good to be true.  A college athlete who not only stepped up when his number was called, but one who has been completely transformed on the national stage from the days of his infamous “play school” tweet.  Now he’s promoting the idea of getting his degree and valuing his education above being a first round pick to his community.

And yet, there were voices in the media wagging their finger at Jones and shaming him for doing so.  Shocker.

Former NFL GM Mark Dominik went on ESPN and said Jones’ press conference was “self-serving”…

And then there’s Mike Florio, who thinks Jones holding this press conference will be a decision that will apparently haunt him for the rest of his life…

“My decision was very simple,” Jones said. “I’m gonna return next year for school.”

If it was simple, why a press conference? Why the hubbub? Why the pomp and/or circumstance?

“I don’t know why you guys made this such a big deal,” Jones said.

It was Jones that made it a big deal. It was Jones that made it an unnecessary distraction and attention grab. And it will be Jones who’ll have to live this one down.

So why call it a “life-changing decision”?

“Because the way I’m gonna get viewed now and the way I’m gonna go about my business is completely different,” Jones said.

Yes. He’s now going to be viewed as a guy who indulged in a goofy publicity stunt when all he had to do to stay in school was to do nothing.

Why did Jones hold the press conference?  To set an example for the people of his hometown.  WHAT A MONSTER!!!

As many sensible people have pointed out, Cardale Jones holding this press conference is not unique in the history of college football.  Peyton Manning did it at Tennessee without offending the sensibilities of the sportswriting elite.  Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott held a press conference announcing his return to school JUST THE DAY BEFORE and didn’t receive one percent of the seriously concerned media scolding.  Even a Scout writer covering Mississippi State criticized Jones as “#pretentious” while defending Prescott’s decision to do the exact same thing.  It’s literally unbelievable to compute how this is possible.

While this seems absurd, it does shine a light on something that rings very true: by and large players can’t win when it comes to the media.  Unless you play exactly by their rules and ask “how high” when they say “jump” there’s always going to be something to take umbrage over.  Cardale Jones got built up enough.  Now it’s time to tear him down.

Jones got raked over the coals for his infamous tweet a couple years ago and making a mockery of the “student-athlete.”  Now Jones talks about valuing his education and staying in school and he also gets ripped.

Jones holds a press conference to talk about returning to Ohio State and gets villified for opening up to the media and answering questions.  Up in Seattle, Marshawn Lynch gets fined six figures by the NFL and villified for not answering questions from the media.  Examples:

https://twitter.com/BartHubbuch/status/546886785583046656

So which is it?  Because right now the media is mad at someone for holding a press conference and for making a mockery of the press conference.

Do we want our athletes to just shut up and do as they’re told?  If they have something to say, should they just do it on Twitter or in a carefully crafted PR statement so they aren’t drawing any unnecessary attention?

Or do we want our athletes to be an open book and give us the access and the quotes and the material we desire?  Do we want them to stop answering questions by repeating “I’m thankful” 100 times no matter what the question might be?

Because right now the media wants it both ways and the lesson right now for athletes across sports is that they just can’t win.

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