An Unfortunate Turn Of Events

This afternoon, in response to erroneous information that I had somehow said Will Lyles had no relationship with Lache Seastrunk, Mr. Lyles made a public response to my most recent article. Here is his response:

"People don't stick to the facts. This is all speculation, innuendo and scorned opinion from people who were not there for the kid. It wasn't (for) football that Lache needed help, it was qualifying academically to have an opportunity to play football on the next level. His family or his Head Coach were not there to help him through that process. It was Deanna Carter and I who helped get that done. His grandmother and grandfather (have) been the constant in his life as far as family is concerned. I never said I was Lache's sole mentor. There were other people that influenced his life and decisions. All I did was state the facts."
 

Now, first of all, the only “facts” I presented in the article were statements made by family members as well as Scott and Deanna Carter. The facts as they see them are, in fact, their truth. If Mr. Lyles believes the facts to be different, then he has the right to that belief.

He further states that it was he and Deanna Carter that helped Lache qualify academically. Mr. Lyles was given an opportunity to speak and declined to speak with me, so I told the story as it was told to me. Laches family confirmed that Deanna Carter helped Lache tremendously. They are fully aware of the effort she put into his academic life and are very appreciative of those efforts.

The article further clearly articulates the role of Annie Harris, Lache's grandmother, whom he affectionately calls “Nana.”

The Oregonian article implies that Lyles refutes my words... what he really does is reinforce what I said... “There were other people that influenced his life and decisions.” Was that not the intent of the entire series? To point out that Lache Seastrunk had many wonderful people helping him along his path? It sure was.

But that brings us to a bigger, more important question. The article I wrote does not belittle Lyles, yet he felt the need to “defend himself.” In reality, this article (and the three part series) were ALWAYS intended to paint a picture of Lache Seastrunk that no one had seen. For five months, the only time we hear Lache Seastrunk's name is in reference tot he “recruiting scandal at Oregon.” And this is extremely unfair. It paints the wrong picture.

The article I wrote showed a human element and made it about what it should be; Lache Seastrunk and his incredible determination to chase his dreams. And what happened? Someone else, once again, tried to come in and steal his thunder. Why could Will Lyles not just sit back and let Lache Seastrunk enjoy having the focus be about him as a person? Why did it have to come back to him?

I just received an email from one of the relatives I interviewed and, they are upset. Not without reason either. While the NCAA investigates, Oregon begins practices. The reason for the timing of the release was so that fans could see a true vision of the kind of young man Lache Seastrunk has become. Instead, an adult who says he cares about Lache continues to bring his name back into his own narcissistic world. Will, this story wasn't about you; let it go. Let Lache be a positive light in this world.

As the relative told me tonight, Lache's future is at stake here. Lyles' future is determined, don't take Lache down with you. Keep it positive. Let Lache chase down that dream.

This is what the family told me after the story was written:

“I am in tears and I'm truly grateful for you. You have no idea how much this makes us feel, after so much negativity we can now breathe. Thank you!”

It's time to let them breathe. It's time to let Lache breathe.