Josh Jarboe seemed to be a perfect fit at Oklahoma, a program full of history and tradition, national championships and uncontrollable players.
Back in the Barry Switzer era, there was one George "Buster" Rhymes. As the story goes, several players engaged in a snowball fight and Rhymes got hit. He went back to his room, returned with an Uzi and sprayed bullets into the Norman sky.
Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy was so impressed with Rhymes' legacy that he gave fellow rapper Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr. the name Busta Rhymes after watching him perform.
So what has changed in the 25-or-so years since Switzer's band of heathens ruled Norman? Dare we say the Internet?
In the 48 hours since we posted the video of Jarboe's rap on YouTube, it had been watched over 55,000 times. There were more than 550 comments, making it the No. 2 among Friday's most discussed videos.
Back when Rhymes and other Sooners were raising hell, it often went unreported. In today's world, even the slightest transgression can spread like a wildfire across cyberspace, creating a public relations nightmare.
On Thursday, Bob Stoops told Berry Tramel of the Oklahoman that he had no plans to boot Jarboe. "Kick a guy off the team for what he says?"
Stoops then added, "We're starting to talk about everything kids say and do. Now we're in people's homes, in their private spaces."
But as the Internet hits piled up, Oklahoma had no choice. On Friday, Jarboe was gone.
John Rohde of the Oklahoman applauded the move. "Whoever is responsible for dismissing freshman wide receiver Josh Jarboe, bravo," he wrote.
Whether Jarboe was treated fairly is a post for another day. This is about the Internet. It has changed the game and Jarboe's case is a prime example.
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