Some Very Sad Situations, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 126

Some Very Sad Situations

By

Roger Behra

In America the millions of sports fans who tend to idolize their favorite players have recently been very disappointed, indeed. It is pretty certain that some very hard lessons have been learned as result. Favorite players can be respected, but they should not be idolized. Here are some reasons.

PETE ROSE ruined the chance for his crowning glory, because he broke a much repeated law in major league baseball. Pete Rose will never be in the Hall of Fame. As a major baseball player, he was outstanding. He was a sure bet to end up in the Hall. But once he placed bets on the team he was managing, his chance greatly diminished. Then it was found out he lied and showed no remorse for anything, his chance became nil. Then, as the years passed, he became arrogant about the whole affair. It is a great shame that Pete will never realize his greatest dream during his lifetime, unless a complete change of thinking takes place with a future change of baseball commissioners.

MICHAEL VICK has to be most clueless person in the world to think that he could for 6 years finance and participate in dog fighting and torturing of so many dogs. The investigation uncovered extermination of dogs through fights, drawings, and electrocutions. His cluelessness cost he millions of dollars, put him in prison, and greatly stigmatized his reputation for all time.

CALEXICO BURRESS got himself into a fine fix probably caused the end of his N.F.L. career. He accidently shot himself entering a New York nightclub with a pistol not registered in New York. And his permit to carry and use it in Florida was expired. Then, he prolonged his legal case and has to serve prison time anyway. He made up his own rules, and it cost him valuable career time and made him a convicted felon.

ROGERS CLEMENS will also never be in the baseball Hall of Fame. All the alleged evidence points to the fact he used steroids to enhance his faltering baseball career. Video tapes definitely show he used steroids. He emphatically denies what tapes show he did. And at a special hearing before Congress, it appears that he lied, but the tapes are clear cut and do not lie. No Hall of Fame for Roger C.

DANTE STALLWORTH did the big no-no. He drove his car after drinking alcohol and killed a pedestrian. It was very costly for him. A dead man, a huge financial settlement, a suspension from the N.F.L., and plenty personal grief resulted from his tragic decision to drink and drive.

BERNARD MADOFF has to go down in history as the number one deceiver of human beings. He cost so many people millions upon millions of dollars he was entrusted to invest for them. Instead, he ran away with their millions. In the end Mr. Madoff lost everything. That includes his possessions, his dignity, and his freedom during his senior years.

This six men made up their own rules, and the outcome was the same for each one. Their lives and careers were interrupted. They caused serious harm to their reputations. They showed a great lack of appreciation for God’s blessings and the talents He gave them. And the final outcome was the same for each. They share a great deal of personal sadness and loss of personal dignity.

R.B.
11-30-09