Miami defensive end shot to death

[TexanSam]

MIAMI (AP) -- Miami defensive end Bryan Pata was shot and killed Tuesday night, shortly after leaving the practice field, according to a university official with knowledge of the situation.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement was still being prepared by the university, had no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Pata's death.

Miami-Dade police refused to release specific information about what happened.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

[TEXANS84]

Just saw that as ESPN broke in for the breaking news about this.

Definitley a sad day for the U. Thoughts go out to his family.

[Texas_Thrill]

Bad things seems to loom over this school no matter what. RIP to the family and condolences.

[hot pickle]

RIP Bryan

never a good thing when a young kid that might have a chance to be in the NFL gets killed

[Texas_Thrill]

Not to detract from this young man's probably pointless death.

What is it about THE U that seems to have this unsaid culture that looms around that school's football team?

[ledzeppelin229]

I can only guess it's a combination of being a highly regarded program (talent-wise) and a staff that is not as concerned with character compared to other universities. I don't want to make that kind of speculation on this kids death, but Miami does seem to churn out a lot of...questionable incidents/players.

[TexansSeminole]

Miami isn't exactly an angel city. Alot of crime in that city.

[mexican_texan]

May he rest in peace. Football player or not, it is a sad day for students when one of their own is shot down in the place he was supposed to feel safest.

[awtysst]

Originally Posted by dunta23

RIP Bryan

never a good thing when a young kid that might have a chance to be in the NFL gets killed

Never a good thing when a young person gets shot and does not get a chance toi fufill their potential, regardless of what that field might be.

[hot pickle]

Originally Posted by awtysst

Never a good thing when a young person gets shot and does not get a chance toi fufill their potential, regardless of what that field might be.

while i was posting that up i was gonna put that it is never a good thing when some one gets shot, but then i thought to myself that there are some people that deserve to get shot, but the way i worded it made it seem that the only reason i said RIP is because he plays college football, but i agree never good when young people get shot, unless they truely deserve it

[Meloy]

Book bag? Check. Lunch money? Check. Condom? Check. Fire arm? Check. Off we go to school. Tennessee, Miami U. Oklahoma in the past. I am sorry for the loss of any person, but why is the culture surrounding schools so prone to violence? It is not just at college level as we have seen recently. High schoolers are taking weapons to school. Is it fear for their safety or the thing to do to feel macho? More info on the DE from Miami may shed more light.

[TxAg]

This is sad moment for college football I'm not a Miami fan but I feel for all there players and coaches they have a good program there. It's just sad to see this happen

[Mr. White]

This quote in the article is pretty telling. Haven't heard about it before.

In July, reserve safety Willie Cooper was shot in the buttocks when confronted in his yard before morning workout. Cooper was not seriously injured. Brandon Meriweather, one of Cooper's teammates and roommates, returned fire at Cooper's assailant, taking three shots that apparently missed, police said.

[Dr. Toro]

Well the city of Miami is one of the last places you want to send an 18 yr. old kid. For the football team, aside from the usual pitfalls of zealous boosters you have a huge nightlife and huge underworld. It doesn't help that the program has cultivated a sorta thuggish culture. The thing is, Miami has actually cleaned its act up considerably since the glory days, but the media is far more probing and scrutinizing of college athletes than it was back then. This is a tragedy and not neceessarily connected to the aforementioned things... that's just the way it is down there.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Battle Red Bull

This quote in the article is pretty telling. Haven't heard about it before.

Another reason to drop Meriweather off the list of guys we want to play here in Houston.

[Blake]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Another reason to drop Meriweather off the list of guys we want to play here in Houston.

Agreed.


How sad that a Miami program comes to this. How come they cant get stand up players to attend this university? Year in and year out, someone at MU gets shot, or fights break out, its always something.

I wouldnt touch Meriweather with a 10 foot pole if I was drafting for a team.

[TexansSeminole]

Originally Posted by Super Mario

Agreed.


How sad that a Miami program comes to this. How come they cant get stand up players to attend this university? Year in and year out, someone at MU gets shot, or fights break out, its always something.

I wouldnt touch Meriweather with a 10 foot pole if I was drafting for a team.

I am sure they have plenty of stand up guys at the school, you just dont hear about those guys. Miami is a rough city, and the best players from Miami go to UM. It is only natural for some of them to be thuggish...and thats what makes the news.

I mean, did you ever hear about DeMeco's deeds before he was drafted to the Texans? But how many times did you hear about Willie Williams or Brandon Meriweather.

[houstonhurricane]

Originally Posted by Meloy

Book bag? Check. Lunch money? Check. Condom? Check. Fire arm? Check. Off we go to school. Tennessee, Miami U. Oklahoma in the past. I am sorry for the loss of any person, but why is the culture surrounding schools so prone to violence? It is not just at college level as we have seen recently. High schoolers are taking weapons to school. Is it fear for their safety or the thing to do to feel macho? More info on the DE from Miami may shed more light.

You are simply an ignorant @ss. This was a class kid and to make such an *****ic statement is a sign of immaturity and/or stupidity on your part.

RIP #95.

[HowBoutThemCowboys!]

Originally Posted by houstonhurricane

You are simply an ignorant @ss. This was a class kid and to make such an *****ic statement is a sign of immaturity and/or stupidity on your part.

RIP #95.

^^^^ Completely agree..

Now's not the time to make assumptions and sterotype at such a tragic time. Really uncalled for.

[aj.]

Surprising how so many on this board knew this guy was a 'thug.' The 'things' you can learn here ....

Seriously, everything I've been seeing on TV is that he was a good guy who was very well liked and popular around campus. Last time I checked (last night) police hadn't released many details. Have I missed the article that talked about his bad rep and thuggish behavior? If so, someone please post it.