In 2012, a 16-year-old girl was brutally raped by two high school football players, one of which is now a football player for Youngstown State University. Ma'lik Richmond was convicted of the rape of an unconscious young girl, which was also caught on camera and placed on social media to brag about the rape.

In 2013, Richmond was sentenced to a minimum of one year in a juvenile detention center, and ended up serving only one year; he was released in January of 2014.

Now, in 2017, as YSU students prepare to return to school and spend fall nights watching their football team play, there is a huge problem. That problem is that Richmond will be on the field, playing a game. He will be representing the university and all that it stands for. President Tressel and Coach Pelini, are you more concerned with your football team's status than the disgusting rape of a young girl?

For many years, athletes have constantly been given additional chances because they are athletes. What does this say about rape culture? That athletes can do no wrong; that they can get away with anything because of how they perform on the field or in the gym?

Does he deserve a second chance? Yes, he does, and he is receiving that second chance by furthering his education on YSU's campus. Does he deserve the privilege of playing on a football team and representing a university? Absolutely not. Education is a right, whereas playing on a sports team is not.

As the voice of the students of Youngstown State University, I ask that Richmond be removed from the football team, and this privilege be revoked from someone who absolutely does not deserve it. Thank you.