To say that Aqib Talib has a troubled past would be an understatement. His mother has been in and out of prison and in trouble with the law on numerous occasions. Talib has been in multiple fights over the last few years and was suspended for a game last season after punching a cabbie. Most recently, he found himself at the center of a shooting involving his mother and sister’s boyfriend. He was released from jail on Wednesday after posting $25,000 bail and has “vigorously denied” any allegations against him for having shot a gun.
Despite all his hardships, former Kansas defensive coordinator Clint Bowen said Talib is extremely bright — so bright that he maintained a passable GPA without going to any of his classes.
“He tries to do that whole street thing, but don’t let that fool you,” Bowen said. “He’s very smart. I don’t think he ever went to a single class, but he still got a 2.7 (GPA) at Kansas.”
Two questions came to mind when I read this. First off, I’m wondering if Bowen is exaggerating. I can’t imagine how anyone would even know what is going on in a class without even showing up. Being a genius is one thing, but wouldn’t it be impossible to keep track of tests and work without showing up at least occasionally? Secondly, skeptics like myself have to wonder if the teachers gave Talib special treatment. Considering he was a football star, I wonder if teachers would have had the stones to give him a failing grade.
I’m not saying Talib can’t smart, but there’s a reason we never hear about athletes being academically ineligible for games. Maybe he maintained a 2.7 GPA without going to class because he’s brilliant. Maybe the material was spoon-fed to him because the football team needed him. Heck, maybe it was a little of both.
