Role models or thugs?

Common sense?

Now I know this isn’t news to anyone – but professional athletes have to be some of the dumbest people on the planet when it comes to misbehaving and getting in trouble with the law. I don’t know if it’s because they feel entitled due to their fame or whether they are just that dumb, but look at how many athletes have gotten in trouble for a myriad of things from DWI, to drugs, to dog fighting, to murder. Maybe it’s because they are “celebrities” that we hear so much about them when they do get in trouble – I blame the media for that. But as a public figure (much like politicians, actors, and corporate tycoons), you need to be a bit more wise about your ways when it comes to how you live your life.

These guys (and some gals I am sure) have everything – money, houses, cars, boats – you name it. So why, with that much fame and money, wouldn’t you just hire someone to be your driver? I’m volunteering to any athlete/celebrity in Minnesota to give them a ride when they are wasted to avoid another media frenzy (e.g. Al Jefferson). When are these people going to learn – you have a limited amount of time in your industry (most pro athletes won’t last 10 years in their career) – you need to do everything you can to make the most of it. This includes being smart about where you go, when you go, who you go with and what you do when you go there.

I listen to a local AM talk radio show (Garage Logic – www.garagelogic.com) and their wise host says “Nothing good happens after midnight”. Isn’t that true! When was the last time you heard of an athlete being pulled over at 6 pm during rush hour? It’s always 2 am coming home from a nightclub. Speaking of nightclubs – when you go there, leave your 9-millimeter at home (e.g. Plaxico Burress). If you think you need a gun at a nightclub when you’re hanging with your posse and having some drinks – then you probably shouldn’t be at that club!

What gets me more is that these athletes get away with so much – maybe it’s because they can hire the big buck attorneys to make it all go away, or they have the money to pay some huge fines. But the normal Joe Schmoe out there seems to get the wrong end of sentencing when it comes to celebrities and the justice system. I applaud the justice system in recent years with Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress – both got to see what the inside of prison looks like. Maybe, just maybe that will make them realize what a gift they have and what they need to do to keep out of trouble.

Here’s a list of some athlete’s in recent history that have seen the backseat of a police car at least once:

Plaxico Burress - Discharging Weapon In Public
Rae Carruth - Murder
Jamal Lewis - Drug Trafficking
Michael Vick - Dog Fighting
Darryl Strawberry - Drugs
Mike Tyson - Drugs, Rape, Ugly Facial Tattoo (ok it’s not a crime, but it should be!)
Al Jefferson - DWI
Zach Randolph - DWI
Jared Allen - DWI
Dante Stallworth - DUI Manslaughter
Ronnie Brown - DUI
Adrian Peterson - Excessive Speed (over 100 mph in a 55 mph zone)
Carmelo Anthony - DUI
Pete Rose - Tax Evasion
Onterrio Smith - Drugs (and the famous Whizzinator escapade)

I read a recent article that said between 20% - 40% of professional athletes have a criminal record. Really? What is this saying to the youth – that it’s ok to drink and drive, that it’s ok to beat your spouse, that you can kill someone and get away with it?

I know the various leaders of the professional sports have been trying to combat this problems for decades. By no means is this a new phenomenon. But at some point, these “professionals” need to start acting like ones. Hold these people accountable, make a policy of two strikes and you are out (everyone should at least have the chance to screw up once and learn what they have the opportunity to lose). Make these guys act and behave like responsible adults if they want to continue to make their millions. And parents – don’t let your kids look up to these people like role models – because eventually they will let you down.

Bald Guy Out!