Sunday, June 30, 2013

Arrest leads to father-son bonding for LaFleur

SPOKANE, Washington  -- In a matter of 30 seconds on the night of April 3, 2011, an undercover cop put Greg LaFleur in handcuffs and effectively ruined the former Southern University athletic director’s life.

In some ways, though, LaFleur’s arrest for allegedly soliciting a would-be prostitute at the Final Four in Houston — and his eventual acquittal in January 2012 — was also the best thing that happened to him.

To be sure, the 54-year-old former NFL tight end would never wish the last 26 months upon himself again — no way, no how.

After all, he was fired before he returned to campus, and he’s still struggling to find work in athletics, the only field he’s ever known. And because his name was so tarnished by the mere accusation — regardless of the eventual verdict — there’s no telling when he’ll land the AD position he desires.

But in losing his job and, in the eyes of many, his credibility, LaFleur gained something far more valuable — a chance to reconnect with an NBA-bound son more than 2,000 miles away.

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