SHORT COMMUNICATION 197
Poor Character Galore
By
Roger Behra
American sports keep taking hard cultural hits quite frequently it seems. The fans who idolize their favorite athletes have gone through some terrible times during the past few years and most certainly during 2009 and 2010. There are nine idolized, prized, and well-known ones who are at the top of the list, and they are all men. Too many apologies are forced upon fans. It is getting to be quite tiresome. The flagrant bad character and damage to the sport is hard to accept.
At the top of the list are several well-known names from different professional sports. These players were blessed by God with great talent, fame, and unbelievable millions. They thanked God for their talents, fame and financial riches by making up their own rules for life that included serious evil of adultery, sexual misconduct, cheating to gain money, extreme cruelty to animals, dope addiction, and illegal owning and transporting of guns. Sports fans and the news media know their names well: Tiger Woods, Ben Rothlisberger, Alex Rodriguez, Michael Vick, Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps, Steve Garvey, Mike Tyson, and Gilbert Arenas.
Everyone of these gifted and rich professional athletes violated one or more established moral and civil laws and the trust fans placed in them. They thumbed their noses at what was morally and legally proper and socially acceptable. The fans are now tired of tearful apologies and the repair of damaged images. The fans are tired of stars who have tumbled from their pedestals. Americans in general are tired of their culture being damaged by millionaire lawbreakers and their moral lapses and evil behavior.
All the players mentioned above have millions of $$$$$ worth of talent but only .25₵ brains. They rolled the dice and ended up paying a stiff price. Their bad conduct was extremely detrimental to their character, the sport, and their legacy. And they hurt the young and older fans who put them on their fallen pedestals. Yes, they contributed to many on field victories, but they also contributed to so many immoral victories on a large scale as well.
R. B.
7-11-10