Former Florida QB Jalen Kitna deserves censure, but also understanding | Whitley
Before we get to the lighter side, a note on former Florida quarterback Jalen Kitna. What comes to mind when you hear that name?
If you say, “Child pornography,” you’re not alone.
Those two words have been attached to Kitna since his arrest last November on child pornography allegations. The case closed last week with Kitna pleading guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct, which is a second-degree misdemeanor. The outcome will hardly clear his name.
More on this story: What Jalen Kitna, attorney said Wednesday after child pornography charges were dropped
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium: Answering all the questions you have about the renovations
Kitna has no one to blame but himself for this mess. But he doesn’t deserve the stigma that comes with it.
He shared two images on a social media platform. One was of a possibly pre-pubescent girl. Kitna told police he found it on the internet and thought that made it legal to share. Whatever the case, it was enough to get arrested.
Police eventually determined the other four images were post-pubescent or had no sexual context. Those were the only images discovered on Kitna’s electronic devices.
I suspect if police could check the devices of every male student at UF, Kitna would have a lot of company. That doesn’t make it right, but it also doesn't make them pedophiles who should become societal outcasts.
“It’s not abnormal for a 19-year-old to look at images of a 16-year-old or a 15-year-old," said Darry Lloyd, the chief investigator for the state attorney’s office.
But most 19-year-olds aren’t quarterbacks and/or the son of an ex-NFL QB. Kitna was and is, which made him national news. And that news always centered on those two words.
Child pornography.
Despite being cleared of all sexual charges, that shadow will be hard to shake. I’m not saying Kitna deserves your sympathy, but he does deserve a chance to rebuild his young life…
Stud of the Week
The Twin Cities (sort of) of Gainesville and Trenton. Gainesville produced the No. 4 pick in the NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson. Trenton produced the No. 4 pick in Sunday’s MLB Draft, Wyatt Langford. Both also reportedly attended a nearby university.
Stud II: Cincinnati rookie Elly De La Cruz, for stealing second base, third base and home plate in one inning against Milwaukee. Too bad he didn’t get the cycle and steal first base.
Stud III: Joey Chestnut, for downing 62 hot dogs and winning his 16th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in the past 17 years. If competitive eating had a Mount Olympus, he’d eat it.
Dud of the Week: Bob Huggins. West Virginia announced he had resigned June 17th after being arrested for DUI. Huggins' lawyer now says his client did not resign. Did it take Huggins three weeks to sober up and realize that?...
Langford gets the call: Tracking Florida baseball players selected in the MLB Draft
What's next for The Swamp: Answering questions about the renovations to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Tom Brady News
The New York Times reported last week that Tom Brady lost $30 million in FTX, the cryptocurrency company that hired him as an “ambassador,” that collapsed last November. And that’s not even the worst development on the Brady Front.
The Daily Mail reported that Brady and Kim Kardashian were doing tequila shots and “super flirty with each other” at a hoity-toity Fourth of July party in the Hamptons.
Take it from Kanye, Tom. Don’t do it…
Too Fast, Too Furious
Georgia’s quest to rule both college football and NASCAR continued last week. Linebacker Samuel M’Pemba was ticketed for driving 88 mph in a 55 mph zone. Later that day, receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint pleaded guilty to driving mph in a 45 mph zone.
At this point, the Bulldogs should just change their school song from “Hail to Georgia” to “I Can’t Drive 55.”...
News and Notes
MarketWatch reports that Taylor Swift is on track to make $332 million this year. That would rank her No. 4 on the current LIV Golf tour money list…
Brady Redux: FTX investors are suing Brady, Steph Curry and other celebrity endorsers. “None of these defendants performed any due diligence prior to marketing FTX products to the public,” according to the lawsuit.
Gee, next we’re going to find out that Brady and Curry don’t really eat at Subway…
Inflationary Football: UF’s new or improved football stadium might cost $1 billion. The original stadium was built in 1930 and cost $118,000.
At that rate a new stadium in 2120 will cost – no joke - $8.475 trillion. Of course, the starting quarterback will probably be paid more than Taylor Swift…
Hamptons Update: The New York Post reported Brady and Kardashian were not flirting, and that Brady was “talking to different women” at the July 4th party. Who says journalism is dead?...
This Just In: Bob Huggins’ lawyer says Richard Nixon did not actually resign the presidency and is owed approximately $11 million in back salary…
A police report said that ex-Buc Leonard Fournette might have been racing a motorcycle when his car burst into flames last month in Tampa. Kirby Smart immediately contacted Fournette to see if he has any college eligibility remaining…
Hamptons Update II: The Daily Mail reports that it was actually Bill Belichick who was doing shots and flirting with Kim Kardashian at the party.
That’s about all the space we have for this week’s Whitley’s Believe It or Not. If you wish Joey Chestnut had shown up at the Hamptons party and puked all over the guests, I don’t blame you.
David Whitley is The Gainesville Sun's sports columnist. Contact him at dwhitley@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidEWhitley
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Jalen Kitna deserves both criticism and understanding
