Ever since Tyrell Sales was cleared of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and harassment charges in Centre County two weeks ago, I've heard the same comments over and over again.

"Whew! Tyrell dodged a bullet there."

"That Sales kid sure caught a break."

"Geez, Tyrell almost blew it."

Fact is, all charges against Sales were dropped during a preliminary hearing. Does that mean he dodged a bullet, got lucky or blew his chance to make his mark as a Penn State linebacker?

No.

It means due process was served.

The shame of the whole incident is the negative publicity it brought to the Butler graduate and why he was at the alleged crime scene in the first place.

Sales has always been a solid student and has always defied his critics.

Some folks about town scoffed when he signed a letter-of-intent to attend Penn State, mumbling under their breath that he'll never get on the field there.

Those same attitudes probably said Terry Hanratty couldn't play at Notre Dame, Matt Clement should have stuck with basketball and Jim Simons shouldn't waste his time playing golf.

Sales got on the field for the Nittany Lions his freshman year, actually. He's led the team in tackles during the past two Blue-White spring games.

Now that Dan Connor has been moved to inside linebacker, Sales has a starting outside linebacker position that's his to lose.

Don't bet on him losing it, though some people will.

Sales is staring at two potential years as a starting linebacker for Penn State, He is also carrying a grade point average well above 3.0 as a marketing major.

He is a true student-athlete and does not fit the mold of a guy who loses interest in the classroom during the off-season.

So what was Sales doing at the scene of an apartment melee, perhaps putting himself in harm's way?

A teammate called him asking for help.

Football players pound on each other every day in practice. They are true brethren off the field, a togetherness promoted and encouraged by great coaches like Joe Paterno himself.

When a teammate asked for Sales' help, what's he going to say?

"Sorry, I have a chance to start next fall, put up big numbers, get to the NFL, maybe ..."

Such thoughts don't enter your head when a teammate calls for help.

What enters your head is: "A teammate needs my help."

And you go.

The good news with Sales, as evidence would have it, is he didn't cross the line when he got there.

Tyrell Sales' dream of attaining a college degree, playing major college football and reaching the NFL remain alive.

He didn't dodge a bullet. He did support a teammate.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.