Here's an open letter to the world simply because everyone has different feelings about the recent college athlete that got himself into a bit of a mess.

To whom it may concern,

I know what you've thought about what has been in the news lately, or really for the last decade. Male college athletes being accused of rape and sexual assault and a lot of them getting away if they're guilty or not.

I write this letter to you, because we are all not the same. When you see us at a party, and here what we do on campus, don't run away from us.

I know what you think of us when you see us on campus. Maybe you think we're privileged; too privileged to ever get caught. You think we'll take advantage of you. That we'll drug you at a party. We'll take you into a dark alley and assault you. Take you back to your bedroom and rape you. Leave you mentally broken, and too afraid to tell anyone because you're scared of the consequences. Your friends knowing. Kids in your class. Your teachers. Your assaulter's teammates.

Let me tell you this: we are not above the law. Most of us are teenagers, and I know we're not all like the ones on the news. We are not privileged. We have worked hard to get to this point. A lot of us have a good head on our shoulders.

That being said, I know it happens. I know how it feels to be mentally broken. I want to say I know how scary it is. Don't let us become a statistic in your head. Don't let one guy change your whole perception of us.

I apologize I have to write this. I apologize for what they've done.

I write this letter, not to defend them, but to be on your side.

I write this letter, because we are all not the same.

Sincerely,

A male college athlete.