Mike Mason has been dismissed from the Tar Heel football team.

I am inclined to believe his dismissal has to do with the zero-tolerance substance abuse policy recently implemented by the UNC athletic department.

I am extremely disappointed in Mike Mason. Disappointed he won't be able to contribute on the football field, and disappointed he likely won't complete his college education at UNC.

What are you thinking, putting an artificial high in front of a college football career? Putting your education in jeopardy in the middle of your junior year? Taking an opportunity so few people would get (and the rest of us would do anything for), and letting it go up in smoke?

I am not so naive as to think this is just a Mike Mason issue. It's not just a Carolina issue. It's a college athletics issue. These kids, 18-22, have an incredible opportunity to play a game and get a free college education for it. Kids know their jersey numbers. Hundreds line up two hours and 15 minutes prior to a game simply to see them walk by. People give up their Saturdays to see these young men represent their universities. And it seems to mean so little to so many of them.

I know it's a lot of responsibility to carry the heart and soul of a fanbase onto the field, but you've got to respect yourself enough not to throw these things away.