The defensive coach was stupid.

If those idiots insisted on getting brands, he should have contacted their parents to let the parents deal with the situation. He didn't need to oversee the operation and prevent them from harming themselves. He's not the parent or legal guardian. High schoolers have been branding themselves for years with hangers, erasers and paperclips. The most those kids could have done is said they got the idea from seeing his brand.

I have no problem with consenting adults getting brands when they know the possible health risks involved. I actually "like" brands and know both men and women with them. Some of the men I know have over 20 brands. The fact that this coach would even allow himself to oversee these children getting an OMEGA BRAND makes this even the more...uh...nevermind....

Why wouldn't the right moral choice have been for him to talk to the head coach (I'll assume he didn't since the coach was "disappointed he was there") so that the two of them could tell them that, as they are minors still living with their parents, this was not an appropriate way to show "defensive solidarity" and that if they did it anyway they would be subject to discipline -- like being suspended from the team?

The article did not give details on what was branded on the football players. It could have been a "D" for defensive or "R" for Roswell. I cannot believe that an Omega or any fraternity member would think it's okay to brand letters in anyone outside of their organization.

Did you hear about them players receiving Omega brands through a list serv? The only article that I can find is the same AP article.

In Iowa, you can't get branded or tattoo under the age of 18 even WITH parental consent. Parents have been prosecuted for allowing such activity.

There has been no mention of the students receiving an Omega brand, just a brand with a paperclip. There hasn't been a specific symbol discussed.

Oh....

My fault.

The coach is still stupid.

Umm...shut up.

Yes, being branded makes one fearless. Good point.

A weekly routine? So did the players get a brand each time they started--i.e. multiple brands? Yeah he needed to resign.