More high school hijinks in Florida

Frankly I'm not surprised. High school athletes these days have been exalted as if they were King David.

The prep phenoms now get their own Sports Illustrated preview section and are seen nationally on ESPN, but this goes too far.

Chris Rainey, the star halfback for Lakeland High School is experiencing what it's like to be a pimpin' pro. The senior flapped his jaw about accepting gifts because of his athletic status leading up the Class 5A state title game.

"I didn't even count it," he said. "When I walk around, people are buying me food, giving me money. I'm like, `Damn, I'm glad I'm Chris Rainey. It's real nice to be me.''

The Florida High School Athletic Association wasn't able to get an investigation finished in time, so they left the decision up to Lakeland. Apparently it didn't take long for the school board to decide that football banners are more important than a stained program, because they let him suit up.

And he was not only the force in title game with St. Thomas Aquinas, he was the fulcrum. He did it all. He rushed for 276 yards on 26 carries and three touchdowns in the Dreadnaughts' 45-42 OT win.

For good measure, Rainey also blocked a field goal in the first quarter.

I know football in Florida is the gold standard, especially in Lakeland, where they just captured their third-straight title. However, is this gold ball worth it?

Are all of Rainey's free meals, jewelry, clothes and countless other things worth what he's supposed to do willingly as a high school athlete? And who's giving him these things? Evidently, the standard pat on the butt aren't good enough anymore as means of positive reinforcement.

Kids need money and riches to give them the satisfaction of self worth. High school sports have lost their purity ever since they sold their soul to national TV outlets. This is nothing more than a trickle-down effect that will ultimately turn the preps into minor-league Division I football factories.

Rainey is probably smiling and he soaks in all of his newfound fame. But you're never bigger than the game, and he'll soon realize he was an idiot for even thinking he was.