I haven’t said anything about the numerous scandals in sports, but I finally decided to break my silence. As a life long sports fan, I have been disgusted by what we’ve seen recently in the world of Pro sports. For those who haven’t heard or have forgotten…
- Barry Bonds and baseball’s steroid scandal.
- Michael Vick’s federal indictment on dog fighting charges.
- The NBA Referee/Gambling scandal.
- Doping in the Tour De France.
- Doping in Track and Field.
These are the big ones, but there are others. It’s very disheartening and extremely sad. But here is where I am going to come down on it: Why are we surprised? I remember the first time an athlete that I adored fell. My Brother and I were huge Dwight Gooden fans. The first time he got busted for drug use broke my heart. So the stuff going on now is not new.
For some reason, we tend to think that those who are famous, have lots of money, and are in the public eye will somehow rise above and not have the same kinds of problems that rest of have. Money does not change who a person is. Fame does not either. We are all capable of ugly stuff. Given the opportunity, lots of us would lie, cheat or steal to get ahead or to gratify ourselves and feed our egos.
On sports talk radio you hear questions like this: How could a guy throw away a 130 million dollar contract that way? I respond to this with a question or two of my own. When has money ever cured a person of their sinful nature? When has fame made them a better person all by itself?
So while I mourn the fall of professional sports recently, I am at least aware that these guys and gals are not immune to bad things simply because they stand a little higher than the rest of us in money and social stature.
Here’s hoping and praying all these leagues and organizations come through this dark time.
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