re: Another Vol player accused of rape

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Hood was found to be delinquent by the Sullivan County (Tenn.) Juvenile Court and was handed over to the Department of Children's Services (DCS).

He then completed a rehabilitation program at Mountain View Youth Development Center before enrolling at Catholic High School in Knoxville as a sophomore.

Hood brings to the University of Tennessee a 3.8 GPA and a 27 on his ACT, but how in the world could head coach Lane Kiffin—and even more so, athletic director Mike Hamilton—agree to give a second chance to someone who was complicit in such a heinous act?

To try and understand the thought process, you have to take into account the testimonies of those who have watched the evolution of Hood’s mental and spiritual makeup since the crime.

Catholic High School principal Dickie Sompayrac had this to say in Hood’s defense:

"We certainly don't want to minimize the terrible incident he was a part of six years ago. But it was six years ago. We would have never taken a chance on Daniel had it not been for all the character references he received and everybody that came forward. He's exceeded all of our expectations here at Catholic and has been a model student. The support he's received within our community is really unprecedented."

It should be known that dozens of schools had shown interest in Hood’s athletic ability, but rescinded their scholarship offers when court records were released detailing Hood’s actions.

The Tennessee Volunteers were the only school afterwards to offer Hood a full scholarship.

Many NCAA fans with knowledge of Tennessee’s football program have snickered that this is typical of the program; admitting a criminal into school just to bolster their sport’s success.

While this may be a justified feeling, why would Kiffin, who has already been a lightning rod for questionable calls in his rookie year, bring on a controversy of epic proportions such as this?

Some will argue that Kiffin is filling a position of need. Offensive line is as paper thin of a spot on the team as they come, and Hood is considered by many as a good prospect with a high motor, good frame, and capable of being a top-notch tackle.

From a football-only stand point, he is a quality lineman with quick feet and projects to be a tackle capable of getting out quickly on stretch plays to block downfield.

But the risk is just too much for someone of even Kiffin’s brass to handle without serious consideration as to the person Hood has become since the incident.

Many believe Hood deserves a second chance. They look at his age at the time, the fact that he didn’t actually participate in the rape, and his spotless record since the event as their defense for giving the young adult another shot at life.

You'd better believe Tiffany Carpenter, Tennessee's director of public relations, made sure extensive research was done with just about anyone and everyone who has come into contact with Hood over the past several years.

"Everybody we talked to had glowing things to say about him and felt like he deserved this opportunity," Carpenter said. "Catholic gave him a second chance, and he had a flawless record at Catholic. He knows he's on a very short leash here, but I'm not sure he ever even received a demerit at Catholic."

But the most shocking endorsement of them all came from the victim herself.

In a letter written to the university by her, and obtained by ESPN.com, she states:

"[Hood] is becoming a very mature adult and will be a great asset to any college and to society as a whole. If anyone has any concerns about our relationship or Daniel's remorse about the situation, feel free to contact me."

According to multiple sources, Hood and his cousin have actually spoken several times over the past few years and are working to rebuild their relationship.

Hood hasn’t attempted to run from the horrifying event that will forever shape his life.

In an interview with The Knoxville News Sentinel, Hood said:

“I had a good friend tell me I should go as far west as possible, but I don't think that it's a situation that I should try to avoid. It was heinous. It was awful. Any bad thing you could say about it would probably fit it. But I think it's not trying to put it in a corner and forget it ever happened. I think you have to take it and learn from it and grow from it...I've got a debt to [the victim] that I can never repay, just trying to throw it away like it never happened would be the worst thing I could do for her."

He has owned it. And that is at least a step in the right direction.

The words floating around the talk shows lately are "second chances," but I believe he already has had a second chance at Catholic High School and passed with flying colors. The truth will come from his life as he leads it every day from here on

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