My interaction with Colt Lyerla

[Icness]

I know some of you are familiar, but for those who aren't, I did an investigative piece on former Oregon TE Colt Lyerla. You can read it here:http://www.detroitlionsdraft.com/?p=2073

Colt has (as expected) reacted negatively to the piece, even going so far as to threaten to sue me in response. I made a regrettably snarky retort to that on Twitter, which was probably stupid on my part.

Here's what I can tell you:
--my higher-ups at USA Today Digital Media group have been given emails and texts I used as source material in the process
--I omitted some even more negative material because I could not get secondary verification. I suspect that info will come out from some other sources sooner than later.
--I have offered Colt the chance to tell his story, either via an interview with me or his own piece, which I offered to run completely unedited if he desires.
--I am done interacting with anyone on social media about this case, and that includes here. That's my choice, period. I don't need the headaches. For those of you who know me outside of RealGM, you can text me if you must.
--I really, really like Lyerla as a football player. He's got legit Pro Bowl talent as a TE/H-Back/FB hybrid kind of weapon. There is a huge demand for that kind of guy and, unlike a very similar player, Colt has never killed anyone.

I'd love to write a feel-good follow up to that. Those of y'all who've known me or followed me for a long time know that's the honest truth. But he's his own worst enemy right now and every virtual punch he throws at me hits himself in the face with the people he should really care about.

And as a coda, the days of effort I put in to doing that one piece and the crapstorm it brewed have led me to conclude it's not worth trying to do something in-depth like that again. I just want to watch some game film and evaluate players on their football merits or lack thereof.

I just thought y'all should know my side and respect my decision to not talk about this further. Thanks.

[LAKESHOW]

Good article. Dude can play. But maybe he needs a Doctor to check his mental stability, and get medication. Because who the heck wants Aaron hernandez runnin around the neighborhood.

[NO-KG-AI]

Anyone that actively reads anything you write can tell that you really do wish the best for everyone, no matter who it is. It's a shame that he went on the attack in response to this, because it makes him seem (in the eyes of others I'm sure too) like all of it is true, and he's being bratty about it... Addressing it like a man, or giving a candid interview could have done a lot better than threatening lawsuits.

[studcrackers]

great stuff jeff

[righterwriter]

Whenever someone overreacts so severely upon being criticized, all they are doing is justifying the criticism.

[Pharmcat]

amazing reporting

[NO-KG-AI]

Whenever someone overreacts so severely upon being criticized, all they are doing is justifying the criticism.

This is exactly how I feel.

[bondom34]

Well, wasn't sure, but thought I'd post this:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... a-arrested

Crazy.

[NO-KG-AI]

That's all that can be said about that... Hope he can get the help he needs, coke can destroy a life quickly.

[Da Schwab]

I don't feel bad for this clown at all after this arrest. If he wants to waste his talent, then by all means, go for it.

I applaud the guys who turn it around and the coaches/staffs that help do it, but this kid just doesn't seem to want to be helped.

Tyrann Mathieu looked like a lost cause, but he made strides to improve and get clean and it's worked. If I were an NFL GM/coach next spring, I wouldn't give this kid the light of day.