JaJuan Spillman has been given a full scholarship to play football for Tennessee State University less than a month after being kicked off the University of Louisville football team. Spillman, a wide receiver, has two years of eligibility remaining and went to TSU on his own in search of a new home. After meetings with Spillman, his legal guardian, and JaJuan’s University of Louisville academic counselor, TSU agreed to take him in.

If you’ve never heard of JaJuan Spillman, here’s why he was booted from the UL football team:

In January 2007, he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. The DUI charge was later dropped.Then in October 2007, he was suspended for half the season after some Louisville media outlets reported that he was fighting with a coach.

Finally in July 2008, he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession, DUI and carrying a concealed weapon. He was kicked off the UL team for good.

He had to pay about $1,000 in fines and is on two years probation.

I’m not against the kid getting a second chance, but damn a full scholarship? Why not send a message by making him or his family foot some of the bill? Letting JaJuan Spillman (or any athlete with a checkered past) jump from program to program with no repercussions doesn’t deter guys from getting into trouble.

JaJuan Spillman, Tennessee State University, University of Louisville, college football