Dismissal After FIU-UM Brawl Changed His Life
By JOEY JOHNSTON
The Tampa Tribune
Originally published Sept. 19, 2008; (c) Tampa Bay Times.
Nearly two years ago, his college football career appeared to be over.
Florida International University’s Marshall McDuffie Jr. – after his role in an ugly 2006 football brawl with Miami that made national headlines, forced 31 player suspensions and indirectly led to the firing of both head coaches – was kicked off the team.
McDuffie’s story could have ended there.
Instead, it prompted a new beginning.
When FIU christens its new on-campus stadium Saturday afternoon against the South Florida Bulls, McDuffie, a senior from Durant High, will start at free safety for the Golden Panthers.
“I appreciate the game more than I ever did before,” said McDuffie, who returned to the program last spring. “You always heard people say, ‘Play every play like it’s your last one.’ Well, that’s how I play now. I know what it’s like to have it taken away.”
McDuffie, out of football for a year, retained his scholarship and earned his business management degree. Instead of sulking, he put his time into community work and his church. He made two mission trips to Haiti, helping the impoverished. He spoke to youth groups, telling them not to repeat his mistake.
He did the right thing – in every area of his life.
FIU athletic director Pete Garcia, the man who dismissed McDuffie and never offered to consider his return, took notice.
“We’ve all seen stories like this before – kid gets in trouble, did the wrong thing, gets his life in order,” Garcia said. “Let’s be honest, most of the time, half of those stories are fluff. Not this time. The story of Marshall McDuffie is about substance.
“When I kicked him off the team, it was for good. Then he turned it around like I’ve never seen before. He did everything without the premise of returning to football. We never offered a hint of that. He was done. Now, well, we couldn’t be prouder to be associated with a student-athlete of this caliber.”
McDuffie’s mother, Vanessa, said she never has been prouder of her son.
“In less than a minute, his actions caused him to lose his dream of playing football,” she said. “What happened [dismissal from the team] could’ve beaten anyone down and caused them to quit. He didn’t. He knew he did wrong. He grew into a better person.
“What happened was so out of character for him. There was never any trouble. People who really know him couldn’t believe what happened.”
On Oct. 14, 2006, she was at home in Valrico, watching the FIU-Miami game on pay-per-view. The game became increasingly physical and heated in the third quarter, when UM took a two-touchdown lead and Hurricanes back James Bryant incited FIU players by bowing to the crowd after scoring.
On the extra-point attempt, FIU cornerback Chris Smith wrestled UM holder Matt Perelli to the ground. McDuffie kicked Perelli in the head. A bench-clearing brawl ensued – complete with an injured FIU player swinging at Hurricanes with his crutches – that was quelled by Miami-Dade County police.
“It was just a reaction,” McDuffie said. “It was way too emotional. I don’t know how anybody else would’ve handled the situation – and I know I wouldn’t handle it the same way now.
“At that particular moment, I didn’t know [what I had done]. Once it settled down, I knew it was bad. It wasn’t me. But it was too late.”
Some mistakes never go away.
“Not with something like YouTube around,” said McDuffie’s mother. “It was very stressful. None of us had ever experienced anything like that from Marshall. I know it caused him pain. I know he regretted it.
“It was extremely negative. But with the grace of God, he was able to turn it into a positive. He grew in his faith. He had time to think about what happened, why it happened and why it should never happen again.”
FIU coach Mario Cristobal, who took the job after McDuffie’s dismissal, said he was delighted to inherit a player with speed, smarts, instincts and, yes, impeccable attitude.
“What happened to Marshall would’ve wrecked a weaker person,” Cristobal said. “Look, it wouldn’t have been easy for an NFL player, especially with all the exposure out there, all the scrutiny, all the people asking questions.
“We’re in the business of helping kids, not tossing them aside. Marshall earned his way back, even after the worst of circumstances. It warms my heart. It shows that no matter how bleak it might look in life, there’s always hope.”
And as for McDuffie’s outlook?
“I don’t think I changed, and I think there was a misconception I was a bad guy,” McDuffie said. “It was a mistake – a bad mistake. Looking back, my priorities were a little messed up. I was putting football above all else. Not any more.
“Away from football, I had the time to devote to other causes and that opened my eyes. Now I’m on the right track. Every day is a lesson. You can quit or keep going. I chose to keep going.”
