Voters turned out in record numbers to give their consent and save the 2001 football season. On the surface, it was a good result, because nothing should be more important than funding our nation's education system. The problem is that Mobile's youth were being used as leverage. Don't think for a minute that other schools superintendents around the country didn't take notice. Similar ultimatums might be coming soon to a school district near you.
Extortion is already rampant in sports.
Cities are held hostage to build new stadiums for millionaire sports owners, while college boosters are fleeced for more and more money every year just so they can have the right to purchase season tickets. Thanks to the effectiveness of Mobile's threat, the strong-armed tactics have finally trickled all the way down to the high school level. Watch out soccer moms and Little League fathers - you could be next. Maybe May is too early to start bemoaning the future of high school football. Here's hoping our Friday night lights don't start suffering from rolling blackouts.