Football: So much for the hype on Davonte Neal announcement [Updated]

In another recruiting twist that's going to produce much debate, a scheduled live TV announcement in which receiver Davonte Neal of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral High was supposed to choose his college never happened Tuesday morning, because he failed to show up.

A couple hours later, he announced he would attend Notre Dame.

This is what happens when the pressure grows in the rush to please others.

Yes, people will criticize Neal, but if he has nothing to say, good for him.

There's no need for top football and other high school athletes to hold a news conference to announce their choices, or for cable TV channels to convince athletes to wait to reveal their decision on their program. We all know the reason it happens -- for publicity purposes, fulfilling egos and for ratings.

This episode might convince some to hold off on live broadcasts in the future. Or maybe it will give a boost to the ratings.

I do know it won't deter others from sitting in a studio, putting a bunch of hats in front of them and looking silly.

-- Eric Sondheimer