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A Blackmon decision already? Highly unlikely
Published: 12/29/2010 12:38 AM
Last Modified: 12/29/2010 12:38 AM

SAN ANTONIO – Two Oklahoma sports websites are reporting that OSU All-American wide receiver Justin Blackmon, while signing autographs for fans on Tuesday night, indicated that he would play for the Cowboys next season instead of entering the 2011 NFL draft.

One website reported unequivocally that Blackmon “will return to Oklahoma State for another season.” You’re going to base such a definitive report on something that Blackmon might have said to a group of fans?

The reality is, it’s extremely premature.

In such a positive setting, what would you expect Blackmon to say to fans clad in orange clothing?

That he’s weighing his options?

That he’s awaiting information from the NFL Draft Advisory Board?

That the potential of $10 million in guaranteed money might be too much to decline?

The guess here is that Blackmon savored the moment, appreciating the attention and adulation of the fans, and he simply told them what they wanted to hear.

If it’s a certainty that Blackmon is staying at OSU, why didn’t he make the announcement during a news conference on Monday? He was asked about the NFL possibility on several occasions. With every response, he was non-committal. He said he wouldn’t get serious about a decision until after Wednesday’s Alamo Bowl has been played, and after he has conferred with his parents and confidants.

And if Blackmon’s decision already has been made, why hasn’t Oklahoma State issued a press release?

Because it is extremely unlikely that a decision has been made.

-- Bill Haisten

Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer



Reader Comments 15 Total
Slroberts88 (2 years ago)
This article is a joke. Why are you panicking about what he said to a group of fans. What would you bet your bottom dollar on? He goes pro with Weeden. You can write trash articles all day about how you think Weedens going to go pro, but just based on your intuition. If this does turn out to be true you will look really foolish because you Blackmon didn't come to you "media" with this info first. No surprise here people, move along
stro (2 years ago)
lol billy.
Graybeard (2 years ago)
Old news. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
sportsfan918 (2 years ago)
Listen not to what a player says, listen to the assumptions we sports-writers are making each day!
PBG for BA (2 years ago)
The only thing we can be sure about is that Blackman won't have dinner with Deon Sanders.
SS_Hippy (2 years ago)
The 'millionaires to be' are waiting to make sure there will be a pro season next year before burning their collegiate bridges. who can blame them?
Dr. Strangelove (2 years ago)
So true PBG!!!

Blackmon was caught up in the moment. Thinking that he'll stay at OSU defies logic, I would consider it luck if he does.
MexiMike (2 years ago)
Haha, of course it HAS TO BE the fact he got caught up in the moment, right Mr. Haisten? Because if you bet he was leaving and he said otherwise, it doesn't look so good for you.

But let's turn this around.

Let's say fans asked him that question and replied, "I'm leaning towards turning pro." Would this blog still have been written? Would you still be saying "It is extremely unlikely that a decision has been made?" Very doubtful.

My guess is that you and every other writer out there would be reaffirming your predictions that Blackmon is leaving...based on what he told fans.

Funny how that works.
traija50 (2 years ago)
Are you really panicking Bill? I don't think so. Good insight.
Thanks
Ferris Bueller (2 years ago)
My favorite scene in Jerry McGuire is when Cruise is talking to the dad of the hotshot that signed with another agent, "Please tell me you didn't sign anything because that whole man of your word thing really touched me."

Justin said it so I guess that settles it.
The ORIGINAL Adman (2 years ago)
Bill, it must suck to hate your job. Maybe you could request a move to be Rogers State's beat writer so you an be happier.
Ernie McCracken (2 years ago)
Come on guys! Bill is right on here. There are still too many cards that have yet to be played for him to have made up his mind completely. There have been many college kids who said they were going to stay in college around bowl time, yet bolt when they see their potential payday at the next level. If he comes out publicly and states that after reviewing and weighing all his options that he is coming back then pop the bubbly. Until then, I'd not get too excited just yet.
Bixby Jeff (2 years ago)
Or, he could have already decided that he loves the college experience so much that he wants to stay another year. There is plenty of time to make his millions.

It also would help him to put another year of clean living between his DUI incident and his draft analysis.
MexiMike (2 years ago)
Whether Blackmon actually means it or not isn't the issue for me.

It's the fact that this "Let's not jump to conclusions" article would not have been written at all if Blackmon had told people he was going pro.

If that would have happened it would have been more like "Just as predicted, Blackmon confirms he is going pro" and that is a pretty big double standard.

It probably doesn't help that the competition reported the story...
sokodad (2 years ago)
When Bill has a gut feeling, he tells us that it is his personal gut feeling. If we take his gut feeling as gospel, it's our fault.

However, when he reports something, it is backed up by multiple credible sources. The guy is incredibly connected. He once texted me within an hour of something breaking and I thought, "How in the heck does he already know about this?"

Trust me. The man has been privy to much about our program based upon sources much more reliable than a hearsay statement from a group of fans at the team hotel at a bowl game; and he hasn't run with it until he has reliable confirmation.

I think all he was trying to say is, "Hey, folks, Black was given every opportunity to announce at the presser the day before that he was staying and declined to do so. Don't get too excited about a hearsay statement from an autogragh-seeker at the team hotel when the story hasn't been confrimed by Black, a parent, or someone in the AD."

I really think that's all he was saying. Let's all enjoy the game and wait for Black to make an official announcement and not get too juiced until he does.
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Tulsa World Sports Writer Jimmie Tramel is a former class president at Locust Grove High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a journalism degree and, while attending college, was sports editor of the Pryor Daily Times. He joined the Tulsa World on Oct. 17, 1989, the same day an earthquake struck the World Series. In 2007, he wrote a book about Oklahoma State football with former Cowboy coach Pat Jones.

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Tulsa World Sports Writer Kelly Hines joined the World staff in September 2007. She grew up in the Oklahoma City area, was valedictorian at her high school and attended Oklahoma State University. She previously worked at The Oklahoman and KOTV and in the World's web and news departments.

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