Texas A&M's coach Mike Elko is tackling an issue head-on that emerged from the Aggies' defensive line room. Earlier today, during interviews, defensive lineman D.J.
Hicks let slip that their group's motto was "C.B.O."—an acronym with a troubling connotation when Hicks explained it as "Choke ... Women Out."
The "B" clearly fills in a rather crude blank.
What was intended as a fiery attitude statement from Hicks quickly spiraled into something far more serious, inadvertently touching on the serious and sensitive topic of violence against women. Understanding the gravity of the implication, Coach Elko wasted no time in stepping up to condemn the remark and the slogan.
"It's conveying something that shouldn't be conveyed," Elko declared. "We'll get that handled and addressed. That's absolutely ridiculous that that was stated."
In sports, having team mantras is nothing new. These unifying statements often serve as rallying cries—like Ohio State’s "leave no doubt" mantra that propelled them to national championship glory last season. While these mottos can contain expletives or cheeky puns, the line gets drawn when the subject skates into the territory of violence, particularly against women, a matter always under tight scrutiny in college athletics.
Hicks, who stands out as a promising junior, is on the brink of a breakout season in the SEC this year. Having carved a niche for himself over the past two seasons in the shadow of All-SEC powerhouse Shemar Turner, Hicks’ talent is undoubted. However, this incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility athletes carry when they become spokespersons for their teams, on and off the field.
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