THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: When hero worship collides with reality

So.

Mark Few.

It seems that a lot of you — really a lot — have opinions about the Gonzaga coach’s DUI arrest on Labor Day.

I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess, that those thoughts (at least the ones you’ve sent me via email) land all over the place.

They cover the whole spectrum — everything from anger at Few for failing to live up to his position as a role model, to accusations that the Coeur d’Alene PD only bothered to bag Few because of his job — and that almost anyone else would have been sent home with a warning.

“It’s not like the man was just hammered, and crashing across people's lawns,” one reader suggested.

“He was going 35 in a 25 mph zone, not exactly a menace to the community. But when the police discovered who it was, suddenly he was handcuffed and treated like a war criminal.”

THAT’S the pro-Few version of events on Labor Day evening.

Short version: The cops were tougher on Few because he’s so well-known and popular in this part of the country.

There definitely were some opposing viewpoints, however.

Several readers expressed disappointment in Few’s behavior.

Ironically, most cited much the same reason as those who scolded the police — that the coach is a local hero and has an obligation to be a role model.

I’m a little puzzled by Few’s actions since he was arrested (although that has been changed to a simple citation and a suspended license).

Mark pleaded not guilty to the DUI, despite breath tests that were a bit above the legal limit of 0.08 blood alcohol content (BAC).

As usual in cases like this, there are all sorts of conflicting reports.

Either Few willingly provided breath samples of 0.119 and 0.12, or…

He refused and had to be taken to Kootenai Health for blood tests supervised by officers.

Assuming those numbers are correct (however the samples were obtained), Few was over the limit.

THIS IS where things get fuzzy.

Honestly, I wish Mark had simply pleaded guilty and then released his mea culpa statement the following day.

This is a very smart man who knows he made a mistake just by getting behind the wheel — so why not own up to it (as he did) and take whatever punishment might be coming (which he seems to be resisting)?

It’s not like Few would struggle to find a driver while waiting to get his license back.

Few has such an outstanding record as a citizen, family man and coach that he’s earned forgiveness for a single mistake in judgment.

It can happen to any of us — if not a DUI, then something else.

Remember the biblical line about casting the first stone.

Mark Few is a good man who enjoys a beer or two with friends and family.

He’s never hidden that side of his personality.

On Labor Day, he likely thought he was fine to drive — and it was a mistake.

I’m thinking that his public apology — a hard thing to do — and whatever legal punishment is doled out should close the book on this whole affair.

And I’m betting the coach won’t ever take that same chance again.

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published monthly during the offseason, and weekly beginning in late October.