Extra points for poor choice

IF YOU think sports stand a sporting chance, consider the in-game debate Tuesday on ESPN of right over wrong. Wrong won, 2-0, with one abstention.

Deep into the third quarter of the Boca Raton Bowl, Florida Atlantic scored a touchdown to take a 34-3 lead over Akron. Next, FAU’s peripatetic coach, Lane Kiffin, for some student-athletics reason, called for a two-point conversion.

Play-by-player Clay Matvick took the cautious route: “I’m not sure why they’re doing this.”

Analyst and former NFL linebacker Kirk Morri

son, tried to explain the inexcusable: “They’re about scoring points. And I think the country, tonight, if you’re not watching FAU, they’re trying to show you.”

Florida Atlantic made the conversion to go up by 33 in a 50-3 final.

Sideline reporter and former Auburn offensive lineman Cole Cubelic: “I agree with Kirk. I think this is a sales pitch to recruit across the country. … The spotlight is Lane Kiffin’s, tonight; he’s going to take full advantage of it.”

Running up the score, not merely easily defeating an opponent but needlessly humiliating it, is a recruiting tool? Why didn’t FAU go for two at 13-3, 20-3 and 27-3? Did Morrison and Cubelic really believe what they said? They would have done the same?

How can we expect players to know right from wrong when their coaches don’t? And given the pathetic, pandering state of sports media, many never will.