Sometimes I fear that even though those who are Sports Figures are supposed to be held to a higher standard than those who aren't, this is simply not the case at times. Take the Sandusky situation at State College for example. These were horrific crimes that allegedly went on for more than 15 years. If there is any truth to these stories of child molestation, especially on campus, I don't buy that someone did not know something and I think a lot of people would agree. But the public knowledge of such crimes might create a problem for or cloud the image of the storied football program. I really hope this wasn't the thinking. Not only is Football NOT bigger, and more important than protection of children, but in the grand scheme of things, hiding a secret like this made it worse and ultimately blew up in their faces. I am not making accusations, but I am making a point that in the times we are in, sometimes more important issues can take a backseat to sports, and it certainly makes a scenario such as this possible.
To me, as far as the Bounty Gate with the Saints goes, I think it is very sad that these are the levels that some teams, especially good ones like the Saints with good coaches like Sean Payton and yes even Gregg Williams, can sink to in order to win a football game. Taking steroids in baseball is one thing, but you are talking about paying players to intentionally injure opposing players and that is just unacceptable. I understand that injuries are part of the game, but to pay players to intentionally injure is wrong. Lets not even acknowledge that with salary caps in place, it is illegal to do this kind of unsanctioned payment.
Finally, illegal recruitment of student athletes in college is a big topic now. I remember watching a very good documentary about the "DEATH PENALTY" for college teams with SMU, called the Pony Excess. One of the people said that "when you pay an athlete, you don't really own the athlete, the athlete owns you." He was refering to the possibility of the athlete blowing the whistle anytime on his illegal recruitment, if things don't go their way. This is similar with the booster Nevin Shapiro, who did all the illegal recruiting (paying players, giving gifts, throwing parties, and even paying for an abortion). When he went to jail for the Ponzi scheme, Miami "turned their backs", in his mind, therefore he was ready to come clean.
In conclusion I am aware that i only referred to the final 3 things I listed in the opening. I believe they are worse offenses than the first two, considering the Tiger Woods thing is a more common than many think and it is pretty much settled at this point since both he and his wife are better off now that they are moving on. The reason for my focusing on the final 3 things is that they are more recent stories. I think these situations are really something to watch for in the future. I also really hope these things being worse aren't signs of things to come down the road. The term "Jock" is not a positive one for athletes, and I would hate to see a "negative" stereotype develop eventually describing the common negative things about sports.
