Don’t You Know Who I Am!?!

skoob1911 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:32:57 +0000

There’s always been the question, but unspoken answer, of the Athlete Double Standard, and if one exists. How often do you see or hear on your local news talk about a vehicular homicide? What about a kid that’s accused of murder, and although possibly innocent, still looking at life in prison. There’s always the most popular, narcotics arrests, which always result in some form of significant jail time. The funny thing is, these are all crimes that have been committed by Professional Athletes, who we’ve watched, and continue to watch, on television almost everyday. These players are earning multi-million dollar contracts, huge endorsement deals, and almost doing anything they want to do with their lives. The problem in this, anything seems to encompass both legal, and illegal activities. Illegal drugs are a form of narcotics, correct? Usage of narcotics usually results in some form of legal punishment, correct? With that said, how many athletes should/would, be in prison within Major League Baseball? Nowadays, it seems like a good 50% of the entire league are on some sort of drug, raising an eyebrow with each highlight seen in Baseball, wondering if drugs are involved with the performance. Each so called, “Hero,” has been uncovered as a steroid user. From Mark McGwire, to Alex Rodriguez, all have seen their legends compromised, and the faces of fans, turned upside down. A-Rod and Manny Ramirez’s situations have seemingly, taken the air out of the good things, in Major League Baseball. Yet, amid the admitted drug usage, these players continued their careers, continuing to wow fans on a daily basis. How are these players, and suppliers, walking around virtually unscathed? This is where the Athlete Double Standard comes into play.

Most Recently, Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver, Donte Stallworth, was sentenced to 30 days in jail for driving under the influence, and killing a man. Along with the jail time, Stallworth was also sentenced to 2 year’s house arrest, 8 year’s probation, and a life-time suspension of his driver’s license. While the punishment will make life very annoying for Stallworth, it will be a life of relative normalcy. Essentially, Stallworth will have to remain home, and if traveling, ride with friends, or a driver, and stay out of trouble. When you sit and think about it, football runs from mid-June thru January, depending on a playoff run, amassing 6-8 months within a calendar year. Stallworth will most likely be forced to adjust his lifestyle for only 4 months of the next few years, while Michael Vick had to do so for 23 months in federal prison. The Stallworth case was immediately related to the Vick case, due to Vick’s most recent release, and nature of his crime. Michael Vick was sentenced to almost 2 years in prison for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring, which involved in several deaths of animals, gambling, and various injuries to animals amongst other things. Beyond the federal punishment Vick received, he was essentially stripped of all his endorsements, many of his earnings & property, and most of all, his dignity. It’s hard to ignore the question of whether or not Vick was made to look like an example, while Stallworth seems to have been treated like a spoiled athlete. From the outside looking in, the comparison of value on human life, to that of dogs, is immediately put into question, along with the pampered athlete stigma put into place.

While these cases are the most recent crimes involving athletes, they are by no means the worst, nor as highly profiled. 15 years ago, Hall of Fame Running Back, O.J. Simpson, found himself on the run for murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown and friend, Ronald Goldman. A little over 1 year later, Simpson was involved in, “The Trial Of The Century,” for these murders, in which he was acquitted of all charges. Despite a masterful performance by his lawyer, Johnnie Cochran, it’s difficult to ignore the factual information in this case. Each and every sign seemed to point to Simpson, but somehow he escaped any real punishment, for a crime which is still “unsolved.” Simpson seemed to have been given a “pass,” and was free to continue his life in some form or fashion, but recently, fumbled that freedom away. “The Juice,” will ultimately be spending the rest of his life in jail for conspiracy, assault, robbery and kidnapping, amongst other crimes for an incident in Las Vegas. Simpson was supposedly going to retrieve property he felt was stolen from him, but did so in a very forceful manner. His sentence was seen as a, “payback,” for him escaping the double murder case, years ago. I guess that double standard card had been played once, and fully expired at the point of this situation.

The double standard isn’t just relevant to criminal acts. There is also an education double standard that is slowing beginning to take form. Bryce Harper, a 16 year old baseball phenom, announced that he’ll be skipping his final 2 years of High School, and using a GED to enter the 2010 Baseball Draft. Harper, a pitcher and catcher, feels that college will only ruin his talents, along with two more years in high school. While Harper sounds like a unique talent, he is making a mockery of the educational system with this decision. I also can’t help to think why his parents would condone this, as well as, what type of precedence are they setting? In today’s society, where the job market is scarce, and requirements of a college degree are almost expected, how is this behavior ok? This is sure to begin a trend, which will surely be followed in the very near future. Harper’s lack of education, would typically mean he has a future in flipping burgers, or delivering pizzas. But, being that he’s seen as a special athlete, dropping out of school is not only ok, but encouraged? A basketball prep star, Jeremy Tyler, is also doing a similar thing, foregoing his Senior year of high school, and spend 2 years overseas playing professionally. Tyler is following a former phenom, Brandon Jennings, who opted to play overseas for a year, skipping out on college. The difference with Jennings’ decision, is that he completed High School, assuring he can attend a 4 year college at some point in his life in case basketball doesn’t work out. Tyler is supposed to get schooling overseas, and complete his diploma. I can’t help but wonder if that will be true, being that his sole purpose is to go overseas for basketball, which would sound like priority one. Let’s just hope these young stars are fortunate to have their talents carry them on, and not victims of opportunists.

He’s Alright…BUT HE’S NOT REAL!!!

skoob1911 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:43:00 +0000

Now you won’t come across too many posts regarding many sports outside of Football & Basketball, I mean let’s face it, if everyone stuck to what they KNOW, the world would be plentiful for ALL. However, Baseball season has started this week, and coming into the season, we saw the one last hopeful left, Alex Rodriguez, admit to using Steroids…In the words of Martin Lawrence’s mother…DAMN DAMN DDDDAAAAMMMNNN!!! Come on A-Rod…Baseball is turning into the state of Hip Hop Music, NOT TOO MANY GOOD GUYS LEFT!!! And you were one of them…A-Rod using Roids, would be equal to the world hearing that Jay-Z had Bow Wow writing all his raps for the last 10 years! I think he’ll bounce back, but damn dog…you were the, “Saving Grace, The Great White Hope,” and now you’ve gotta dig yourself out of a bigger hole than Stock Market!

And not to make matters worse…Jose Canseco…Baseball’s Drama Queen…This is the type of guy that makes you SICK TO YOUR STOMACH at the sight of him! All he does is SNITCH SNITCH SNITCH!!! I really wish there was someone that would just walk up to him and punch him in the mouth…ONE GOOD TIME!!! He recently said that Manny Ramirez is also a dirty player, and if the list (Mitchell Report), was looked in to…His name would appear…this is my thing…SOOOO WHAT!!! At this point, hasn’t the game seen enough? Isn’t the black eye equal to that of Mitch Green size result? It’s almost like running over a body AFTER, it’s been hit by a Mack Truck, JUST FOR GOOD MEASURE…Just let it go…You fiend for the spolight rivaling, only Paris Hilton! Come on man…please, just Fall Back, you’re Mr. Irrelevant, but seem to want more…It’s not only an embarrassment to you, but you’re dragging down an ENTIRE SPORT!!!

Welcome Sports Fans!

skoob1911 — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:17:54 +0000

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Don’t You Know Who I Am!?!

He’s Alright…BUT HE’S NOT REAL!!!

Welcome Sports Fans!