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Little feels pain of his actions 10 years later

Former UT star was ready to end his life

By Bryan Burwell, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Originally published 10:28 a.m., May 4, 2008
Updated 10:28 a.m., May 4, 2008

St. Louis Rams linebacker Leonard Little has learned to deal with his mistakes.

STORY TOOLS

ST. LOUIS - The 10- and 11-year-old boys say they know all about him. They know he is a larger-than-life football star who makes millions of dollars, performs in giant stadiums and races across their television screens on Sundays.

They are sixth- and seventh-graders at the Loyola Academy of St. Louis, a small all-boys Jesuit middle school that sits in the shadows of the Fox Theatre. They sit in this brightly lit classroom with their eager faces, their blue polo shirts and beige khaki pants, and are giggling and joking. They have been

keenly anticipating the arrival of the tall, muscular man in the loose-fitting jeans, starched striped cotton shirt and spotless white Nike sneakers who has just walked into the room.

"I want to tell you guys a story," Leonard Little said in a gentle voice spiced with a soft Southern lilt.

The boys stop giggling and they snap to attention as Little sits on the top step of a three-tiered choir riser, leans his back against the dry eraser board and settles under a 12-inch-long silver crucifix.

You can draw your own conclusions about the symbolism of this juxtaposition, but it's impossible to ignore it because Little had come to this classroom to pay for his sins.

"I want you guys to pay attention to what I'm about to say," the former University of Tennessee star said.

You could hear in his voice how uncomfortable he was. He stuttered a bit, occasionally looking into the audience to establish eye contact with a friend for some reassurance that he was saying all the right things. But the longer he spoke, you could also hear the eagerness in his voice, too. These were words and emotions that he was aching to get out of his gut. He's been keeping this pain inside for a long time, and even if it sounded a bit uncomfortable, it felt liberating.

"Please don't do what I did," he said. "I killed someone and I constantly think about the hurt I caused that family. I'm not a bad person, but I made a bad decision, and it cost someone her life and ruined her family's lives. You don't want that burden on you."

Even if you don't want to forgive him, Leonard Little wants to say he's sorry, and it has taken him nearly 10 years to get up the nerve to do this publicly.

So what we witnessed on this Tuesday afternoon was another phase in the personal penance the Rams defensive end is paying as retribution for the fateful night of Oct. 19, 1998, when he climbed behind the wheel of his Lincoln Navigator and made two fateful turns out of a hotel parking area, then struck and killed Susan Gutweiler.

The toxicology reports said Little was drunk, and he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served 90 days in jail. There are plenty of angry people out there who think Little got off easy, that his sentence was too short, that the punishment didn't fit the crime. It might surprise you to know that for a long time, Leonard Little was one of those people.

"A few weeks later, I tried to kill myself," he said Tuesday afternoon as he sat inside the principal's office sipping bottled water. "I had gone back home to my mom's house outside Knoxville, and the first thing I did was just go down in her basement. It had no windows, just a bathroom, a sink and a television. I stayed in the dark for days. All I did was cry. I couldn't deal with what I'd done."

His mother could see the pain eating away at him. His mother made him go see a psychologist in Knoxville. He saw her four or five days a week. One day in broad daylight as he was driving a little rental Toyota on his way home from the psychologist's office, still unable to shed the guilt, Little stared at the tall trees that lined both sides of the highway.

"It was like I was in one of those movies where the good angel is on one shoulder and the bad one's on the other," he said. "Well the bad one kept telling me, 'Just go ahead Leonard, turn the wheel. It'll be easy. Crash into those trees and all this pain will be over.' "

As Little talked, he held his hands out in front of him like he was driving.

"I actually did turn the wheel," he said. "I did it. I tried to end my life. I swerved the steering wheel. But like I said, I guess there was a good angel on my other shoulder, because just as soon as I swerved, I turned the wheel right back."

When he got home, he told his mother what he almost did.

"I was ready to end my life, Mom," he said. "All she did was look at me and say, 'Do you want your daughter to live like you did without a father (his father left his house shortly after he was born)?' I said no. Then she said, 'Well you can't kill yourself. You can't do that to her.' I told her I wouldn't do it again, but I still went back into that basement in the dark."

He tells the schoolboys this story:

"I want to give you an example of my life," he said. "I don't ever want you to do what I did or have to feel what I feel because it's not an easy thing to deal with. I killed someone and I think about it every day."

He knows the Gutweiler family will never forgive him and he understands. He wants them to forgive him, but "It's not in my hands. I understand what they're going through. If or when they decide they're ready to forgive me, well that's all in their hands."

But in the meantime, he suffers privately every day. October 19 will haunt him the rest of his life. It is his birthday, and he says he hates his birthday.

"I don't celebrate it," he said. "I don't want anyone to give me presents. What's there to celebrate? It's an annual reminder of what I did. My mom tried to give me a surprise party a few years ago and we got into a big fight over it."

On every Sunday Rams home game, he will drive past that corner that changed his life on his way from the team hotel to the Edward Jones Dome.

Is that a coincidence, he's asked?

"Not exactly," he said. "I could go any number of ways to the game. I go because I need to remind myself of what I did."

Guilt is a powerful force. It does things to your head and your heart that you are often unprepared for. In the fall of 2005, Little had contemplated bringing his younger brother to live with him in St. Louis.

"I knew he was running the streets back and home getting into no good, and I thought maybe if I got him up here I could save him," Little said. "But then folks started talking to me and suggested that if he came up here, he might still get in trouble. And now it's here and it would stick to me. So I decided that it wasn't such a good idea."

A few weeks later, his brother was killed near Knoxville by a female acquaintance.

"For a while I felt a little guilt," he said. "But the truth is, I probably couldn't have saved him."

The woman who shot Little's brother was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, and Leonard Little was faced with one of those defining twists of fate.

Now it was his turn to forgive someone for killing someone he loved. Could he do it?

"I couldn't be mad with her," he said. "The Bible always talks about forgiveness and I am not a perfect man. I had no choice. What happened to her already happened to me, too. How could I not forgive her after all that had happened to me?"

95 Comments

Posted by miamiVOL on May 4, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

anyway you slice it, still an irresponsible killer

Posted by mike on May 4, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You who are without sin cast the first stone.

Posted by TurboFan on May 4, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would have been more impressed if he had sent the family a check every month for half his salary.

Posted by hcjournals on May 4, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Before this gets out of control, two of the three posts ahead of me were from jackasses. Tap on the brakes, realize that this is a story of one of our family members who made tragic mistakes and is trying to get his life back in order. The woman who suffered the most is the greatest tragedy here. Her family has never and will never be the same. This is not a happy story. But there is hope for the future. Leonard is trying. And suffering. He will never make up for the pain he caused. He will never stop paying for his mistake. But if he helps a hundred people, or even a thousand people from doing the same thing, some good has come out of it. It's far from fair or perfect, but it is in fact all we have...

Posted by dburgin0114 on May 4, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard Pastor say years ago "If money can fix the problem, it is not a problem" Sounds like Mr. Little knows this.

Posted by TommyJack on May 4, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not a lot of forgiveness from several mullets on this board.

Posted by golfballs03 on May 4, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Actions speak louder than words. If he was truly sorry and felt real remorse, he wouldn't have been caught drinking and driving again 5 years later.

Posted by General_Watermelon on May 4, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who am I to judge anyone? And that goes for the rest of you. As far as football is concerned, Little is the fastest defensive end I have ever seen in an Orange uniform. Wished we had another Lenoard Little on the team now.

Posted by Phowell23 on May 4, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If by speaking to these kids he saves a life then he has made up for his mistake. What is not told here is 6 years after he did this he was arrested again for drunk driving. Also, the above report states he spent 90 days in jail which is not true. He spent most of the 90 day sentence in a "work house" in St. Louis. Also, the NFL suspensed him for 8 games. Is this a fair sentence for killing a 47 year old woman who left behind a son and husband? No, not even close. Is Little trying to make up for it in other ways and suffering everyday internally? Yes.

Posted by hiresanders on May 4, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A murderer is still a murderer anyway you cook it. Just another OJ type who is not remorseful, as he went out a few years after he killed this innocent mother and wife and got behind the wheel drunk again. The sad thing is, no one has held him accountable for his actions...yet. He should be in prison.

Posted by VOLS85 on May 4, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

listen sanders...a murderer is someone who killed with intent...Little was irresponsible and made his own mistakes, and he has to live with them the rest of his life. However, he did not mean to kill this person. This is why he was not charged with murder. And how dare you sit on your perch with this holier than thou attitude. You're scum.

The fact that you compare him to a cold blooded murderer like OJ speaks to the fact that you are ignorant and have no perspective. Unless you have something insightful to add here, go somewhere else.

The magnitude of people hurt by this incident is unexplainable, and because you hate the tennessee program, you let your hate spew and that's sad.

Posted by rllipscomb on May 4, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just some more gutless people making comments behind their fake internet names. Does anyone believe these people would be as insulting in person as they are on the net?

Hundreds, and maybe thousands, of people read this site. My guess is that virtually everyone who has read this story has judged Little as harshly as he appears to judge himself. I cannot remember anyone suggesting Little get off free. He went through the legal system, criminal and civil, and has paid what was required of him.

But of the hundereds, thousands of people who read this story and reach a similar conclusion, only a handful need to use the anonymity of the net to take a free shot at someone. That is because they are gutless cowards in life, and this is the only way they can act like men.

At least Little has repented of his sins. These jackasses go on and on.

Posted by KingsportVol on May 4, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would say more than half the people that posted on here today have had a few and got behind the wheel.Being lucky don't make up for stupid.It could have happened to any one of us.I was a bartender in Johnson City and got to spend some time with Leonard when he came in to visit some relatives.All the times he came in our resturant I never once saw him with alcohol in his hand.He was a very soft spoken down to earth guy.He made a terrible decision that night and he has to live with it every day of his life.We are not the ones that will judge him.I hope he can make a difference in these young kids life that look up to him.

Posted by General_Watermelon on May 4, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said Kingsport.

Posted by thesavageorange on May 4, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

KingsportVol ,I agree w/ General.Solid post!

Posted by bigfan502 on May 4, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw a recent survey that stated that one out of every 10 Americans have driven a car under the influence....I believe that is a low figure. This is an alcohol society< Suddenly-rich athletes are unprecictable as they enter life of the rich and famous...It appears that the cosumption of alcohol is ingrained in our society. True, like some who say, "just don't drink alcoholic beverages, if you do, don't get behind the wheel of a car." That doesn't seem to work, if it did, look how happy the pro sports teams would be as they continously have their star players in trouble because of alcohol...or dope. If it wasn't for beer ads on tv...the sports teams we see play on tv for free would fade away...true 35-per-cent of Americans claim they do not drink whatsoever. Drunk driving in America if one is not involved in an accident is still only a misdemeanor...same category as speeding, jaywalking, etc. The Liquor industry in this country is so powerful that you will never see draconian measures such as some countries in Europe treat Drunk-driving to the degree that the driver's car is confiscated on the spot and he spends two years in jail. The powerful liquor industry is so powerful that you will never see that in America.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on May 4, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Little made a mistake and is suffering for it. I know I would. I don't like driving on campus because I am scared to death I won't notice a pedestrian when I'm making a turn. It would haunt me forever. Little seems to be sorry for what he did. Forgive, but don't forget.

Posted by Pullingguard on May 4, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Are your saying WD40 that Money cures all, just send a check and everything will be OK... Hardly:
In a situation like this how do you overcome and at the same time gain the respect of the victims family where they know you are sincere and forgiving. For those who have couple of drinks or 3 beers and drive the situation is ripe for happening...

Posted by dfreeman on May 4, 2008 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I once went out drinking with friends of mine my freshman year in college! On the way back we split up from the other couple at work and the last friend and I decided to go to a club! As it turned out I had to open the next morning and get up at 8am! I decided to stay home and sleep off the haze! On her way back from this club she ran off the road on the straightes stretch of that road! It threw her some 150 yards from the car and killed her instantly. I live with that everyday and that was 14 years ago! I let her drive that night! I understand 1/2 the guilt Little is going through! I didn't kill her or make her drive home, but I still feel responsible and will forever! For some on here to equate Little to OJ shows complete stupidity! Did he get off easy? By the law, YES! Did he get off easy with life? Not even close! He'll be tormented forever because of that!

Posted by KingsportVol on May 4, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good post D

Posted by volmot on May 4, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the record; 5 years later he was allegedly driving drunk. He was found not guilty in an jury trial.

Posted by TurboFan on May 4, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, I'm not, Pulling. I wouldn't be surprised if the family never cashed the checks. It wasn't about paying them off as more making him pay.

What I read is that it took him TEN YEARS to do something responsible about it. For 10 years HE was in HIS emotional hell. But HE did nothing about it. While that family sat in their empty house and watched him play every Sunday, collecting millions. He wallowed in his own self pity but in a nice house with nice amenities.

It means nothing to that family for me or anyone on this board to forgive him. I can offer understanding, but in this case I can't understand why it took 10 years.

Yes, I have gotten behind the wheel after a few but I'm dang sure I wasn't anywhere near 0.19%.

As for what a pastor says, anybody can come up with a pithy little saying that sounds deep.

Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on May 4, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There but for the Grace of God go I. Don't know about you folks, but my youth featured several instances where this could have been me. My own recklessness and irresponsibility as a kid could have cost several lives. And I came close on several occasions.

There's a great movie about this sort of thing. Jack Nicholson and David Morse. I think it's called "The Crossing Guard."

Leonard has this cross to bear. It's his until he reaches the other side. From this article, sounds like he's doing the best he can do deal with it. My guess is we'd all deal with it differently.

Posted by illorangevol on May 4, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is always amazing to me how so many people are so eager to pass jusdgement on some one when they have no absolutely none of the facts that lie behind a person. No one on this site can possibly know his heart, yet they insist on making comments about which they have no knowledge for the singular purpose of passing judgement, and making themselves appear to be at a higher cognitive level then their neighbor.

The guy is obviously suffering a great deal of pain that most of us can't even begin know. He is trying to do the honorable thing in preventing the same behavior in other people who are willing to listen.

Until you know all of the facts, as in knowing exactly the full context of what is in his heart and mind, take him at his word and let him be.

Posted by orangebloodgmc on May 4, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What Denmark said. I did foolish stuff in the past; it could have been me instead of Little, but for some reason it wasn't.

Posted by invisiblekid on May 4, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Little should come and tell his story to all the incoming freshmen on the Hill. He'll never make up for his actions but he can at least try to make some good out of the situation. I can understand the lack of sympathy for him though given that he chose to do the same thing 5 years later. It's a terrible situation for everyone involved, including Little, and I am thankful I have never been in his position.

Posted by johnsonsmile69 on May 4, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well I'm a killer. Yep I did it and i'm not sorry about it either. I had help too. Well let me clear this up before someone calls the cops. I spent a year in Iraq. I was one of the 1st people in, and saw more than my share of "stuff".
I understand where Leonard Little is coming from.
It kinda eats ya you over time. Knowing that you have mess up a family. His was mistake in judgement that he will have to live with. No matter what he does he can't even think they will forgive him. People think time in jail is the best way to fix this stuff. If he is anything like me in this regard. He is in more of a hell than any jail would ever be. Like i said i'm not sorry for what i did. Heck, they where trying to do the samething to me. I just feel bad for the kids that don't have a dad or Mom. Anyway my point is Jail don't fix stuff like this, and $$$$ don't either. He got a life sentence.

Posted by movol77 on May 4, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the offender, guilt/shame is the pain. For the offended, anger/rage/bitterness the pain. The only relief is forgiveness.

Posted by hmhawk on May 4, 2008 at 7:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leonard is still one of my favorite Vols.Unless you can speak of this first hand you can not understand his situation.I was stone cold sober on my way to work one morning when a man chose to run in front of me to commit suicide.Twenty years later pedestrians on the road side still scare the hell out of me.A lot of you are fortunate to never have this experience drinking or sober.Trust me,I know what Leonard feels inside.

Posted by bamacheats on May 4, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Too bad Phil didn't have ride-alongs back in the 90s, maybe Little would hhave matured a bit faster.

Posted by movol77 on May 4, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"For the offender, guilt/shame is the pain."

Qualification. Of course, if you're jerk who preys on another persons sins, then you feel PRIDE in your mockery.

Posted by hmhawk on May 4, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

movol77 you are right on.Johnsonsmiles69 I salute you brother and am glad for your safe return.

Posted by GreerVol22 on May 4, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams.....Chris Low scooped you with Lofton's feel good story and you can't stand it. Just how many trash hounds do you have working on current and former player misfortunes anyway? Next thing you know we'll be reading about how many abortions former Lady Vols have had and how many child support payments Travis Henry has missed in 2007. Anything to smear UT....KNS is akin to National Enquirer.

Sorry folks, the pastor really had us fired up today.

Posted by GreerVol22 on May 4, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

movol77, your first 7:16 post is too spooky, I heard almost those exact words today.

Posted by movol77 on May 4, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GreerVol22, it took me far too many years to recognize the truth and power in forgiveness. No need to take it as irony. Take it to heart. :)

Posted by RichRollin on May 4, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40plusvol, grow up and get your stories straight. One of my best friends happens to be Leonard Little's best childhood friend from Ashville,NC. I've met Leonard several times. I had a bad wreck when I was 21 and almost killed myself, and I was drunk. His intentions that night were no worse than mine, but the end result was much different. Young people make mistakes, except you of course. My aunt lives in D.C. and about 20 years ago she hit and killed a 10 year old child, and it was not her fault, not to mention they are rich. This nearly killed her and it wasn't her fault, 13 years later her own son (my best friend) was shot by some punk over a fist fight. I guess that's the kind of justice that you want for Leonard Huhh? Maybe what ever you want to happen to Leonard should happen to you. Luckily I was drunk and hit a light pole, Not a little girl on a bike or a mother/wife. But my drunkin experience changed my life for the good, and there is no reason that this couldn't change his life in the same way!!!

Posted by Phowell23 on May 4, 2008 at 7:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Before this turns into a blast KNS thread, this was written by the St. Louis Post. Not that I enjoy John Adams and would love to see him gone.

Posted by RichRollin on May 4, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike and Miami vol, my last blog is directed towards you too.. Get your facts straight.

Posted by RichRollin on May 4, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike and Miami vol, my last blog is directed towards you too.. Get your facts straight.

Posted by bustervols on May 4, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope some good will come out of all this. Life is not going to balance the mishaps of freewill. Justfying a wrong with what's right will never suffice.

Posted by bustervols on May 4, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Please excuse my spelling, I meant to say justifying.

Posted by bigfan502 on May 4, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a reminder about drunk driving cases...The prosecuter in local courts hates to present his case before a jury of twelve men and women..Why? Generally, one or two or more jurors have probably drove under the influence sometime, and they think of the accused drunk driver, " there, but for the grace of God the drunk driver could have been me." Therefore it is very difficult to get a conviction before a jury. Like it or not, this is the way it is in America.

Posted by BSweet on May 4, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi all. First time poster here, but long time reader. It's not that I don't have sympathy for Leonard, but I have more sympathy for the family who have mourned the loss of a mother, a wife, a sister, and a daughter for the past 10 years. I'm glad Leonard is remorseful, but the fact is an act of stupidity on his part brought about their loss. I don't condemn him as that is not my place, but as much as he is painted as a victim himself, let's not forget the consequences he bares are from his own actions. The family did not choose for him to get behind the wheel that fateful night. I hope something positive can come from this tragedy, but I doubt that will ever erase the pain from the hearts of the loved ones left behind. I kind of wish this article included some comment from them, as they are the ones that Leonard has offended, not us. But that's just my opinion.

Posted by TurboFan on May 4, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Daddy, to what facts are you referring? The facts regarding your own life and what they have to do with Leonard? Did I say I knew his intent, then or now? No. I can't. Only God really knows. For the rest of us, actions speak louder than words.

Maybe you and your best friend are and can be convinced of Leonard's sincerity. I CAN'T KNOW THAT. The family of the woman he hit can not know that unless he does something to prove it. Now he did. Great. Doing more would help more. Might have helped him if he had done it 10 years ago, or 9 or 8.

Leonard made a mistake and was unlucky. No where did I impugn his character. I have made thousands of mistakes and was lucky that they didn't affect anyone's life. DaddyVol made a mistake and lived to tell about it and it changed his life. Great. How? Doesn't seem to have increased his reading comprehension skills. Never did I say "eye for an eye". I don't believe God works that way.

Had I been in Little's shoes at the tender age of 22 I can't say for sure what I would have done. Suicide probably would have crossed my mind. What I believe now at age 44 is atone for your offenses to those that you offended. I would think someone would have told him that years ago.

To that end, to those offended by reading more into what I wrote than what was there...I am truly sorry that you read that much.

To those offended by this way to long, rambling post. Never mind, you didn't get this far anyway.

Oh, BTW, BigDaddy, Mike was chastising MiamiVol. Try to read the all 9 words before you get red in the face with indignation.

Posted by TurboFan on May 4, 2008 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Darn good first post BSweet.

Posted by 3r1c on May 4, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FORGIVE EVERYONE AS I HAVE FORGAVE YOU. POWERFUL WORDS SPOKEN BY THE ONLY PERFECT MAN TO WALK THE EARTH, JESUS CHRIST! IT IS NOT FOR US TO JUDGE, ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE!

Posted by jfg1980 on May 4, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FORGIVE MY ASS! He was drunk and killed somebody. He's a dirtbag that got off because he has money.

Posted by GreerVol22 on May 4, 2008 at 9:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Phowell, there all KNS threads no matter who writes the story. Adams as editor can choose to, or not to run the story.

Posted by dfreeman on May 4, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kingsport - Thanks!

Posted by bbbocker on May 4, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's becoming more and more difficult to stomach what many of you think.... and then have the gall to post. I think the best thing that could happen is for the comment section to be removed. At least then I could pretend that some of you aren't as stupid, heartless, judgemental, and even evil as your words seem to indicate. I don't know what LL is going through, or the family of the woman that was killed, or LL's mother, or...... it doesn't matter. I just hope that if I ever am faced with a similar circumstance with a friend or loved one, I will handle it better than some of you suggest.

Posted by FWBVol on May 4, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not a huge Adams fan myself, but as someone that has spent some time in the newspaper business I don't think John Adams has as much imput on some stories as people would like to think. The KNS has an executive sports editor, and most papers go through a budget process in deciding what stories to run for all of their sections.

A large part of the time, John Adams is, say, covering a game in Gainesville or Athens while the decisions are being made about which stories to run. He might have some imput into the story selection, but probably not the final say. That's just my guess.

Posted by drakosben1 on May 4, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Bible says that hatred is the same as murder, leonard didn't hate when he hit that car, it was an accident. Obama's pastor espouses hatred, of "America",of whites, etc. But he and Obama are heroes, people worship them, but hate Leonard Little. Remember those who exalt themselves shall be humbled, and those who humble themselves shall be exalted. Political correctness is punishing our country. Do you want unrighteousness in the White House? Your White House citizens. This article is a stark reminder of the simplicities of life, do you ever think so of these reverends spend time in their basements for things they think or say?

Posted by bamacheats on May 5, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

drakosben1 - What the sheol are you talking about? I think you need to be on the goGodxtra website.

Posted by newtonrail on May 5, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Most of this has been covered one way or the other by most of you over and over. The one thing I didn't see in the story or posts was the family filed civil charges against Little for monetary damages for loss of Mother, spouse, etc. I am sure Little had to keep quiet as instructed by his attorneys. It affected not only his future, but his future ability to pay anyone damages.

Posted by troubleinc on May 5, 2008 at 5:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmm, this changes the equation: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004...

Posted by MissUT on May 5, 2008 at 5:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Leonard Little is a member of our Vol family and needs our support. He made a horrible mistake, and he will live with the consequences for the rest of his life. Two families were forever changed that night. Forgiveness and understanding does not mean that we somehow agree with what he did or that we don't think it was wrong or that he should not be punished. It simply means we find in our hearts to forgive him so that our sins will be also be forgiven. He is one of us...a Vol forever...and we should just love him and pray that he and the Gutweiler family will find peace. This situation could be any of us...we all have our crosses to bear...our sins, pains, and guilt...yours and mine are just not spread all over the newspapers and media.

Posted by sjt18 on May 5, 2008 at 5:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As individuals, we should be forgiving. However the rightful function of gov't is to protect the rights, property, and lives of the citizens. Any law that allows someone to negligently, drunkenly kill another person then spend only 3 months in jail is a travesty.

I have sympathy for Little. We should forgive him... but justice demands that he should still be in jail.

BTW, true forgiveness has two players- a forgiving person who has been offended and an offender that is repentant. A subsequent DUI arrest makes his repentance seem questionable.

Posted by slovog on May 5, 2008 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Only Little knows what's going on inside his own head. Repentance is not an act, it is a life change, and it doesn't necessarily occur at once, thereby magically solving the entire dilemma. It's one day at a time, folks.

This situation may be unique in it's particulars, but we all face the same general predicament : do we change our lives or do we continue on the present course?

Little's ordeal began in '98 when he took the drinks, took the wheel, and took a life. It continued in '04 when he again drove while impaired. But in the 4 years since then it seems that he has had the sense to not drive while under the influence. Hopefully, Leonard Little has changed his life. And by sharing his experience with others, maybe he can change other's lives, too.

To me, the last ten paragraphs offer a glimmer of hope from our ex-Vol. They show that Little is mindful of the errors of his past, and that he is using his experiences to shape his future, and perhaps the future of others. I hope that he can continue on his path to redemption.

Posted by slovog on May 5, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This situation may be unique in it's particulars, but we all face the same general predicament : do we change our lives or do we continue on the present course?

Posted by sjt18 on May 5, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

slovog, Sorry but repentance is not only an act it is repeated acts demonstrating a change of direction and attitude toward a sin/mistake. Yes even sincerely repentant people struggle and fail sometimes. OTOH, after tragically killing someone while driving drunk, it seems inconsistent with a repentant spirit to drink and drive again.

I share your hope that his second run in was his last and that his experience can at least have the positive effect of changing other's attitudes.

Posted by adamsck on May 5, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I'm not a bad person, but I made a bad decision . . ."

What a tragedy all the way around. Good for Leonard that he is finally talking about it and asking for forgiveness. It was a terrible thing but who am I to judge. I hope that Leonard and the Gutweiler family can find some peace. What a terrible burden they all bear. We should all say a prayer for the Gutweilers AND Leonard Little.

Posted by LazhilUT on May 5, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fulmer is the proud daddy of this monster.
Congrats dad, it's a murderer!!!

90 days? Hmmm...UT and the NFL (knowing he would be a pro) had lot$ to do with such a $hort $entence

Posted by 99gator on May 5, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

whenever something of this nature happens....i think....what if it had been a member of my family who was the victim.

for me, there are some things i can't or won't forgive.

some of you may consider that right or wrong....i don't know, but that's how i am.

but, for me, that is why there is a god. god is capable of showing that level of forgiveness. sadly, i am merely human and would not be able to come up with the level of compassion to forgive something like this.

someone kills a member of my family, then is on the street, making millions playing football.....i would have a hard time dealing with that....hard time. a hell of a lot harder time than little had dealing with what he did.

Posted by jcorange98 on May 5, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

not half his check, all of it
he's an idiot, he should have been sentenced to be their butler

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I thought he was acquitted of the second beef.

Posted by 55Vol on May 5, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LazhilUT... your gutless. Is Fulmer responsible for you being such a chicken s%^&? NO.....you are stuck on stupid all by yourself.

Posted by TurboFan on May 5, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Laz, Little was already employed by the NFL when this event happened. UT was not involved. The judge had everything to do with the short sentence. Jamal Lewis was sentenced to 4 months for making a phone call.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LazzieFrat is famous for having his skull up his canyon.

Posted by Brama on May 5, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great Football player & a good person. Never was in trouble a UT. Bad a terrible mistake & he got another DUI later. I hope he has learned & will not be drinking any more

Posted by auttat on May 5, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"He who is without sin, cast the first stone"
"Judge not, cause you will be judged."

I think that if Jesus can forgive him, then we all can. I'm just glad most of you on this board will not be my judge to Heaven.

Posted by TurboFan on May 5, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If only God can judge, and God only judges when you show up at the pearlly gates, then everyone in prison should be released because they were unfairly judged.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40: That would sure take care of prison overcrowding.

Posted by General_Watermelon on May 5, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Free all the criminals. Free TDTN!

Posted by UTVol39 on May 5, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Free TDTN and give him something to do!!! Kingsport's goat needs a breather.

Posted by General_Watermelon on May 5, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bahhhhh

Posted by invisiblekid on May 5, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone should take a look at the link posted by troubleinc. That article has some pretty damning evidence against Little IMO. It's not my place or anyone elses to judge him but it's hard to find much respect or sympathy for him after reading that story.

TJ, 9:36, he was acquitted the second go-around. He was smart enough to refuse a breathlyzer and obviously has some of the best lawyers money can buy. Guilty people go free every day in our justice system so him being acquitted doesn't necessarily make him innocent.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Kid: true. If he WAS guilty, that doesn't say much for his atonement, does it?

Posted by KingsportVol on May 5, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll drink and not drive to that General.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What is the name of the kid of ours w/Cowboys that was convicted of hit&run homicide? Think he's still in the pokey.

Posted by KingsportVol on May 5, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ it is Dwayne Goodrich I think.

Posted by TommyJack on May 5, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Think you're right.

Posted by BSweet on May 5, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone keeps talking about forgiving Leonard, but what do we have to forgive him for? His transgression wasn't against us. It is up to the family of the woman killed to forgive Leonard as well as for Leonard to forgive himself. What he did was tragic, but it didn't affect my life, so why would I, or anyone else here need to forgive him? As for justice, I do believe he got off light. Accident or no, a woman's life was lost and 90 days is not justice. Over a decade ago, a close cousin was shot and killed in a convenience store robbery. The perp got off with a light sentence(2 years I believe) because of his age. When my cousin was killed, he had a six week old son. All I can think is the perp got two years and my cousin's son got a life sentence without ever knowing his father. This woman's family is serving that same life sentence. Their loved one is gone because of someone's act of stupidity. And I think Leonard himself would admit it was stupid. I hold no grudge against Leonard, but he did get off easy as far as justice is concerned. I'm glad he knows remorse, because that shows he has a heart and is not a bad person. But he made a bad decision and part of being a man is accepting the consequences of those bad decisions. He should have done more time.

Posted by invisiblekid on May 5, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, from what I remember reading, Little failed 3 field sobriety tests the second time around. I find it hard to believe a finely tuned athlete would fail 3 tests and not be impaired. You'd think with the money he made, he could hire a driver or call a cab after what happened in '98 if he wanted to drink. It's obviously not my place to pass judgement and I can't say I understand the burden Little carries, but it's hard to find much sympathy for him given his actions or lack thereof after the accident.

Posted by IPOrange on May 5, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't pretend to understand the anguish that this young man is going through, but it must be tough.

You can't change the past, Leonard, but you are in control of your future actions. Keep on speaking to these groups of young people. If you keep just one person from making the same mistake, then the effort is worth it.

Posted by spencer1989 on May 5, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know folks....I cannot sit here and even begin to criticize Little for a mistake that he has done. When I look back on my life I can see many mistakes that I have made....Some that I am still paying dearly for within my own heart. I'm sure that at one time in my life I thought I was so self rightous and without fault but that belief sure hit me hard and right between the eyes when I made a few hard stupid, stubborn headed mistakes. And....I will say that I am very lucky from my young foolish days in not harming anyone by drinking and driving. There were many times I cannot remember how I ever got home. I was just a lucky one at that time....Very lucky to have gotten through it...And much wiser now in things I choose. What I read from this is that Lenoard has learned from his mistake. Did the penalty fit the crime? Maybe not. Did he do his time? Yes. Should that always be held over his head after doing his time? To others maybe so. To me, no because I do have a forgiving heart and I try to move on. Long story short, none of us are so perfect that we have not made mistakes. And...We cannot predict and expect to never make one in life.

Posted by hmhawk on May 5, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Spencer1989-AMEN!

Posted by WVVOLFAN on May 6, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Britton Colquit, are you paying attention?

Posted by BSweet on May 6, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The warning for Britton is truer than you know,WVVOLFAN. The parked car he hit belonged to my boss, who was about 30 yds away when the accident happenned. He was returning to his car after being out with some friends. If the accident had happenned just a few minutes later, he would have been in the car. And the damage to the car was pretty significant, I've seen pictures. On the lighter side of it all though, my boss is a gator fan, lol. Talk about bad karma! :)

Posted by jellicooboy on May 6, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I met Leonard at UT and later became good friends with him. At the time I was a party kind of guy. I always looked up to Leonard Because his head was on straight. He Didnt drink, He didnt do drugs and was looked at as a role model on the team and among friends. When he went to St Louis he was still that kind of guy. We stayed at his apartment many times and went to many games with him. And all along was still the same classy guy. I remember that night when I got a call from one of our friends. First thing that came to my mind was "NO way". Later I found out it was his 21st birthday and he had been taken out by members of the team for drinks and He didnt know how to handle it. I am now a different individual. I lead ministries in the east tennessee area and have chosen to follow Christ. I know he needed to pay for what he did and God bless the family that has to deal with mommy being gone. I also know that I also messed up on many occasions and still do to this day. Although his sin that day cost a family much God sees these as no different than the private sin I used to struggle with of Pornography. I know Leonard and was waiting on this to come out. He is torn on the inside and has since reaffirmed his faith. he is doing what some of us to this day are not willing to do and that is repent and make amends.

Posted by brokebackvol on May 6, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There but for the grace of God go I. I don't drink and drive anymore, but I drank like a fish in my 20's, and it could have happened to me. No stone throwing from me!

Posted by jhume13 on May 7, 2008 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have read most of the comments regarding this story and i must say....until you walk in a person's shoes for a mile, how can you justify commenting regarding the way they live their life? I can say that i am lucky to be alive today considering how i conducted my life when i was a teenager and young adult. I am smart enough to realize that only through God's grace did i survive my own stupidity and immaturity and that probably goes for most of us here. And we didn't have millions of dollars available to help us facilitate our attempts at self-destruction. LL is in a no when situation because of an admitidly horrible decision on his part. He doesn't speak out about what he has done, then he doesn't care...if he does, then he is making excuses. How many of us, if faced with the same situation, would want to speak publicly about what we had done? I wouldn't. Be honest with yourselves before passing judgement on someone else. Did he get off light legally for what he did? Yes. Is that his fault? No. Don't blame Leonard for the decision of a judge who is probably a season ticket holder. And remember, if God can forgive Leonard for what happened, then we certainly should. Forgiving isn't forgetting...and Leonard certainly hasn't. And for those of you who want to bring money into the equation....if LL did as you suggest........you would be the first ones saying that he is just trying to buy the families forgiveness. Be strong in the Lord Leonard, His opinion is the only one that really matters.

Posted by jhume13 on May 7, 2008 at 3:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I meant to say a no-win situation. I must have been thinking of the "Know when to say when" commercials.

Posted by jcorange98 on May 7, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

he should have hired jesus to drive him around, yeah we all make mistakes but we all do not make millions and could have someone drive us 24/7. he doesnt have a cousin in need of some cash, I guess he decided to let god(crutch) take the wheel, sin is underrated, stone please

Posted by jellicooboy on May 7, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand your feelings toward God being a crutch. U used to think the same way. I know differently now.

Posted by volhoopsfan001 on May 8, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would not at all compare Mr. Little to O.J. Even though everyone he encounters may not forgive him, God can and will forgive him, IF he asks God to forgive him, and he repents and is truly sorry for his actions. Hopefully, Mr. Little has changed, and it is great that he is talking to kids. Maybe he can prevent someone from making a similar mistake. That being said, though, to say that he has made up for his mistake may be going a little too far.

Since there seems to be a good deal of conversation about Mr. Little and how he acted after the accident that killed the woman, here is an article that I found to help everyone make their own conclusions. Here is the address:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footba...

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