A little something about Tony Ramos

[championhawk]

I was fortunate enough to have tickets and the time to attend trials. There was an interesting dynamic going on this morning after the matches. Kids were swarming the floor of Carver for autographs. Tony Ramos signed more autographs for those kids than the other competitors combined. Andrew Howe signed about 5 which was 5 more than Taylor, Dake, Cox, Nico, Garrett, Gadsen, Herbert, etc.
Keep in mind this was after Tony's first match. He still had to get ready for Coleman Scott but he stayed and signed countless autographs. He than came back and signed more after the Scott match. Gadsen, Taylor and Dake flat out ignored the kids. Cox patted one on the head but refused to sign.

Tony didn't handle his post match interview well but he showed what type of man he is by his actions off camera this morning. I am really hoping cooler heads prevail tomorrow when the sun rises.

 

[24 so far]

I was fortunate enough to have tickets and the time to attend trials. There was an interesting dynamic going on this morning after the matches. Kids were swarming the floor of Carver for autographs. Tony Ramos signed more autographs for those kids than the other competitors combined. Andrew Howe signed about 5 which was 5 more than Taylor, Dake, Cox, Nico, Garrett, Gadsen, Herbert, etc.
Keep in mind this was after Tony's first match. He still had to get ready for Coleman Scott but he stayed and signed countless autographs. He than came back and signed more after the Scott match. Gadsen, Taylor and Dake flat out ignored the kids. Cox patted one on the head but refused to sign.

Tony didn't handle his post match interview well but he showed what type of man he is by his actions off camera this morning. I am really hoping cooler heads prevail tomorrow when the sun rises.

I would imagine there is an overwhelming consensus for that.

 

[ih8iast8]

Your comments are exactly why some of us are scratching our heads.

 

[maintain242001]

So he's either in complete shock and denial or a phony

 

[Omahahawk86]

wrestling is a what have you done for me lately sport. Tony has done a million great things for Iowa. What people know right now is just from the interview. I hope he and Tom can reconcile and he makes some form of statement.

No matter whAt I'll never forget how loud it was at carver when he beat Jo or screaming like a kid when he turned Graff in the NCAA finals.

 

[ih8iast8]

Or when he beat Oliver at CHA. (Sorry, missed your Jo).

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I think you're right on the money, champion. Right after a devastating loss against a fellow HWC wrestler was the worst possible time for an interview for Tony. We all tend to say things in the heat of the moment that we'll regret later.

Anyone who's watched Tony with kids has an appreciation of the kind of guy he is. He goes the extra mile to make a kid's day, and he's always been that way. That speaks volumes to me about his character.

Like you, champion, I hope that fences can be mended once the smoke has cleared. I love Daniel Dennis and am thrilled for him, but my heart aches for Tony as it does for Brent. These guys are family to Iowa fans. I hope cooler heads will prevail among Iowa fans and that we can continue to support Tony, as this is obviously a tough time for him.

This is a great moment for Daniel, but he's further along in years than Tony, who will be right in his prime for the next Olympic cycle and has a lot of great years ahead of him as a competitor. Tony is the future of 57 kg for the HWC. Hopefully Daniel makes his mark now, the guys can all come together, and the HWC can move ahead with everyone on the same page.

 

[ih8iast8]

I support Tony. I just think he has to be realistic about what happened. Tom summed it up nicely, that he will be in Tony's corner for LIFE. & I don't think Tony sees that through the smoke right now.

 

[Sandor45]

How many autographs did he sign after his loss?
A man's true character comes through when the chips are down when things aren't going his way.
I hate this

 

[1stplacehawk]

I do wish Tony would have handled things differently, but I understand his frustration. Though not on as big of a stage, I've had moments similar to the one that Tony had today. I feel bad for all of our guys that fall short of their goals and appreciate the blood sweat and tears they've put in. Hopefully Tony and the rest of the staff/wrestlers meet and hash things out

 

[Omahahawk86]

How many autographs did he sign after his loss?
A man's true character comes through when the chips are down when things aren't going his way.
I hate this

See Metcalfs interview.

I really hope we can get him on staff soon. He is everything that is great about Iowa wrestling.

 

[MSU158]

Obviously, for the sake of the program, EVERYONE would have liked this to have been handled internally. However, every indication is that he has felt this way for a while. He said he had talked to his wife about the situation as well as (which is very telling) Terry agreeing with him. I just don't believe Tony would say those things if he didn't believe 100% that they were true.

How he wrestled today could have been a result of some serious inner-system turmoil. At that level, your support staff is crucial. This is even more true for someone as emotional as Ramos. I don't believe Brands would ever truly stab him in the back, but he could easily have made Ramos FEEL like he did. Sadly, I don't think you can come back from this. Things were said in public that can't be taken back. I also don't feel like Ramos would say them if he wasn't convinced he was leaving. For all of his emotion, he is truly a bright guy.

At this point, I think his leaving is best for both him and Iowa.

With that said, I feel bad for Dennis and inevitably the HWC. Dennis looked great and his accomplishment should be celebrated, but it's gotta be hard with what happened to Metcalf and now this. Tonight could have been a nice happy moment, but I doubt it is now for anyone but Dennis.

 

[ih8iast8]

I've met Dan before, he will let this shit roll right off his shoulders.

The interesting thing will be how TR handles the training camps leading up to Rio.

 

[championhawk]

How many autographs did he sign after his loss?
A man's true character comes through when the chips are down when things aren't going his way.
I hate this

You mean like the autographs and pictures he took after losing to Steebler?

 

[whejoe]

I've met Dan before, he will let this shit roll right off his shoulders.

The interesting thing will be how TR handles the training camps leading up to Rio.

I think Tom will shrug it off as well. Tom was pretty damn calm for just being ambushed, as he put it. I think once the smoke clears it will be business as usual.

 

[wahlberg]

Yeah, Dan Dennis won't think twice about this emotional trainwreck. Nor should he. Had Dennis lost, you would have seen the most humble and respectful (though still hurting) interview from him instead of this garbage. Even if TR has felt this way for awhile, no need to publicize it.

 

[ih8iast8]

I competed in College at the D1 level in an individual sport. Calling out your Coach after a loss is never good. Speaking from experience, this is something Tony will regret for the rest of his life. (Making these comments public immediately after his loss).

 

[01Hawk05]

Tony Ramos lost his bid to make the Olympic Team as soon as Daniel Dennis beat Tyler Graff. He was obviously in his head.

 

[Sandor45]

I don't care if Ramo's allegations are true or false. That's not how a grown man handles himself when dealing with his issues.
autographs or not

 

[MSU158]

I don't care if Ramo's allegations are true or false. That's not how a grown man handles himself when dealing with his issues.
autographs or not

It happens in professional sports all the time. And they have millions of dollars on the line. In Ramos's case, his dreams were just shattered and he believed the people that were supposed to be there for him betrayed him. I 100% agree that he should have done this internally, but he let his emotions get the better of him.

I understand that, especially here, loyalty to the program comes first. But, I would hesitate to judge Ramos too harshly on this when you don't know all the facts, and probably never will.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

How many autographs did he sign after his loss?
A man's true character comes through when the chips are down when things aren't going his way.
I hate this

First of all, this is an unfair question. You have no idea whether Tony signed any autographs or not. Nor do I. We were sitting 30 feet from mat 2. Nobody signed autographs right after their match; the losers headed out and the winners did an interview with NBC Sports and then with Shane Sparks. There were no kids allowed in the wrestlers' area, so obviously no opportunity to sign back there. None of us knows if he signed after that. . . but seriously, nobody in their right mind would expect anyone to be signing autographs immediately after a match like that.

As champion mentions above, we know that Tony took time out to pose for photos with kids right after a heartbreaking loss to Logan Stieber in the NCAA finals his junior year. That speaks volumes and serves as a great example to refute your accusation.

Furthermore, I don't see the point in running the kid down here based on some things he said in the heat of the moment. Sure, those comments were ill-advised and poorly timed, but it's a bad idea for Iowa fans to do the same thing. Think about it -- you're accusing this kid of saying foolish things in the heat of the moment. . . yet you're doing exactly the same thing of which you're accusing him. It does ZERO good for Iowa fans to fly off the handle and pile on. Let's show some judgment and maturity here, folks. Act like grown-ups. You all seem to feel very strongly that Tony do the same, so maybe "walk your talk" a little here.

 

[24 so far]

As a University of Iowa Wrestling Fan, I had ZERO "dog in the fight" to who won the match between Dennis and Ramos. Couldn't care less. One Hawkeye was going to Rio.

What was apparently lost on Tony Ramos is that he didn't wrestle for the University of Tony Ramos, or the Tony Ramos Wrestling Club, because as far as I'm concerned that's exactly how he came off in that interview. Me, me, me and more me.

I was VERY proud of the way OUR Head Coach handled the situation with ZERO knowledge of one of his own athletes publically trashing him (which I'm sure was the LAST thing on his mind this day).

Tom Brands could have let the "heat of the moment" get to him as well after being ambushed by reporters and finding out one of his own threw him and others associated with the program under the bus. He didn't. Great job.

For those of you "concerned" with what recruits (and their parents who should be able to see right thru this for what it is) might think............ show them this video and don't worry about it.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

True that Tom handled the "ambush" interview very well. He spoke from the heart and made it clear that Iowa coaches are there for every guy who comes through the program. He was sincere and also went to bat for Tony, which showed a lot about Tom's own character. A certain book I've come to love says a lot about "loving those who persecute you" -- one of the hardest things to do in life, and something Tom did very well tonight.

 

[johnstownsteel]

True that Tom handled the "ambush" interview very well. He spoke from the heart and made it clear that Iowa coaches are there for every guy who comes through the program. He was sincere and also went to bat for Tony, which showed a lot about Tom's own character. A certain book I've come to love says a lot about "loving those who persecute you" -- one of the hardest things to do in life, and something Tom did very well tonight.

Great post! I saw where some are concerned that all this will affect recruiting. After seeing Brands interview, Im not so sure it will one bit. In fact, I saw a side of Tom that us outside of the state of Iowa or close to the Hawkeye program never get a chance to see. A side that maybe even recruits don't get a chance to see much. I would even argue this not only wont affect recruiting but may even help in that area. We saw a side of Tom that we should probably see more of.

I spoke about Brands awhile back and perceptions that could be affecting their recruiting and got killed for it here. Anyway, this is kinda what I was talking about and alluded to the idea that maybe Brands needed to improve his image a bit. Brands really came through as being quite genuine and really supportive of his guys. That's not something a lot of fans outside of the circle get a chance to see out of Tom. I'll be honest, I'd be more comfortable now sending my kid out to Iowa to wrestler than before this all went down.

 

[TejanoHawk]

 

[ih8iast8]

View embedded media

Well, I think this was the adult way to handle this situation.

 

[hawknut]

True that Tom handled the "ambush" interview very well. He spoke from the heart and made it clear that Iowa coaches are there for every guy who comes through the program. He was sincere and also went to bat for Tony, which showed a lot about Tom's own character. A certain book I've come to love says a lot about "loving those who persecute you" -- one of the hardest things to do in life, and something Tom did very well tonight.

I thought Tom's interview was great. In big money sports, the guy going for the title should be the focus, it rarely works with 2 going for the same title. I understand how Tony feels, but is there a camp where they will just be focused on him at that weight?

 

[crablegs1]

Don't let the door hit you, Tony.

 

[artradley]

True that Tom handled the "ambush" interview very well. He spoke from the heart and made it clear that Iowa coaches are there for every guy who comes through the program. He was sincere and also went to bat for Tony, which showed a lot about Tom's own character. A certain book I've come to love says a lot about "loving those who persecute you" -- one of the hardest things to do in life, and something Tom did very well tonight.

Disagree completely. First, he did not take any responsibility whatsoever for there being a misunderstanding between him and Ramos. As coach, it's up to him to make sure all wrestlers know exactly what to expect, and if there is a misunderstanding he HAS to take responsibility.

Second, Ramos accused Brands of lying, and Brands admits that he lied, then doubled down on it by looking right into the camera and lying again, saying, "There was an understanding that I would be in his corner. And I was." Wow!

 

[anon_01irjibf16qqj]

Disagree completely. First, he did not take any responsibility whatsoever for there being a misunderstanding between him and Ramos. As coach, it's up to him to make sure all wrestlers know exactly what to expect, and if there is a misunderstanding he HAS to take responsibility.

Second, Ramos accused Brands of lying, and Brands admits that he lied, then doubled down on it by looking right into the camera and lying again, saying, "There was an understanding that I would be in his corner. And I was." Wow!

You know when he said they he was referring to always having Tony's back right? How he will always be in every Hawkeye's corner. Not the actual corner?

 

[artradley]

You know when he said they he was referring to always having Tony's back right? How he will always be in every Hawkeye's corner. Not the actual corner?

Yes, but he basically admitted that he had told Ramos he would be physically in his corner. And he wasn't. Saying he was there "in spirit" doesn't mean he didn't renege on his promise to Ramos.

 

[ih8iast8]

Yes, but he basically admitted that he had told Ramos he would be physically in his corner. And he wasn't. Saying he was there "in spirit" doesn't mean he didn't renege on his promise to Ramos.

& he ended up in the middle. He didn't betray Tony at all.

 

[clw421]

What'll be interesting is if Ramos stays. We'll be running into the same issue in 4 years with Gilman coming through. I think he's better suited to freestyle than folkstyle, just like Tony is. Just my opinion though.

 

[whatsup13579er]

Disagree completely. First, he did not take any responsibility whatsoever for there being a misunderstanding between him and Ramos. As coach, it's up to him to make sure all wrestlers know exactly what to expect, and if there is a misunderstanding he HAS to take responsibility.

Second, Ramos accused Brands of lying, and Brands admits that he lied, then doubled down on it by looking right into the camera and lying again, saying, "There was an understanding that I would be in his corner. And I was." Wow!

You're entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it is. Tony threw Tom under the bus and Tom still had Tony's back and always will.

 

[pablow]

Yes, but he basically admitted that he had told Ramos he would be physically in his corner. And he wasn't. Saying he was there "in spirit" doesn't mean he didn't renege on his promise to Ramos.

Give it up. You're just blowing up a childish tantrum into Gone With the Wind. Total trollish crap.

 

[artradley]

Give it up. You're just blowing up a childish tantrum into Gone With the Wind. Total trollish crap.

I'm not the one turning on a former Hawkeye based on one bad interview. He said Brands lied to him, and it's impossible to watch Brands' interview and not suspect he probably did. That's worth being pretty PO'd about.

 

[Good30]

I really hate seeing what has transpired! I can see why the HWC would want for any former hawkeye who is continuing to compete be in their room. The goal as with any club is to provide the best environment and multiple strengths to best prepare its members.

I also understand that I would dislike my coach who knows my strengths and weaknesses to be in the corner of someone trying to beat me. I feel Dan Dennis deserved the right the have the best representation the club could give him as well. I don't see why he would even wrestle for a club that would treat him second to another competitior so what does one do. Its a situation that makes me feel horrible not wanting to see disparity among those within a special group at a special place.

 

[championhawk]

I'm not the one turning on a former Hawkeye based on one bad interview. He said Brands lied to him, and it's impossible to watch Brands' interview and not suspect he probably did. That's worth being pretty PO'd about.

For fair disclosure we should add that you have openly stated you don't like the Brands. That may influence how you perceive the situation.

 

[1stplacehawk]

I'm not the one turning on a former Hawkeye based on one bad interview. He said Brands lied to him, and it's impossible to watch Brands' interview and not suspect he probably did. That's worth being pretty PO'd about.

You've also been taking shots at Brands for some time now. Stuff like that makes you lose credibility, because you're probably not being objective

 

[artradley]

For fair disclosure we should add that you have openly stated you don't like the Brands. That may influence how you perceive the situation.

This is true. I don't like Brands, so when it comes down to Brands vs a wrestler I'm likely to come down on the side of the wrestler. But how many coaches in this situation would go ten minutes and not make the slightest hint that they take any responsibility for the problem? It's not as if I just randomly don't like him; he gives people good reason to not like him.