On Friday, December 12th, the report for Oklahoma State's running back Tyreek Hill's arrest surfaced online. Hill allegedly struck his 8-week pregnant girlfriend in the face and stomach on the night of December 11th in a domestic dispute. 

Coming off of an unbelievable Bedlam victory with Hill's 92-yard punt return, it is impossible to think about how someone could fall so low this fast. While all of this is still fresh and the University has not issued an official statement on the allegations at this time, I think it is important to discuss the implications of this domestic abuse, not only seen in Tyreek Hill but in many other athletes. 

In light of recent NFL suspensions due to domestic abuse charges with players like Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, there appears to be an evident trend between professional sports and violence. "Senators demanded professional sports leagues crack down on domestic violence, saying that they must leverage their positions as institutions of power in American life to set a better example," stated at a recent Senate Commerce Committee hearing. 

This does not start with professional players but instead at the college level. Apparent in Hill's arrest is the idea that college athletes do not seem to realize that their actions reflect back on the university they play for. How could you be so careless as to commit a violent, senseless act while still directly in the limelight from a recent, nationally recognized victory?

Whether or not Hill's actions were reflected truthfully in the police report, he needs to realize that everything he does will be seen by the public due to his extreme talent on the field. These college athletes have to realize that they are the ones setting the trend that perpetuates the violent stereotype associated with professional sports players. They have to know that playing for a University entails more than their ability to run fast or play hard, it involves having a little integrity on but especially off the field.