In politics, a field filled with lies and corruption, men and women alike try their hardest (in a few cases) to better their realm, whether national, statewide or local. A handful of these politicians have affairs, hire prostitutes, and in short ruin lives and families. In almost all cases, they are blacklisted from any future political endeavors. They resign their posts, make public apologies, go through bitter divorces or marriage rebuilding and are rarely heard from again, save for Slick Bill Clinton of course. But the fact remains that they most likely will never again be afforded any credibility in the public eye simply for making morally unsound judgments that flaw their character and hurt the ones closest to them. I understand that character flaws could also play into their ability to oversee government, but they usually are never given that chance again after making these mistakes.(Disclaimer: I in no way condone the aforementioned actions, but as you will soon find out, the actions and consequences of these few political figures pale in comparison to the actions and consequences of our beloved athletic heroes.)
On the other hand, athletes can pretty much do whatever they want and get away with it receiving nothing more than a proverbial slap on the wrist. Keep in mind when I say whatever they want, I mean actions much more serious than extramarital affairs and the like. I'm talking killing living things, doing drugs, "making it rain" on exotic dancers before beating them, etc...
In no other organization does this principle ring truer than in the National Football League and with its players.
Unless, for the past several years you have been living with a tribe of unknown, non-speaking Aborigines in a location that has yet to be discovered, then you have probably heard the names Michael Vick and Donte Stallworth rather frequently.In case you haven't, I'll try to catch you up on their plights in a few words.
Michael Vick. Quarterback for Atlanta Falcons. Stellar athlete. Endorsements galore. Millionaire. Killed dogs and ran an underground dog fighting ring for a couple of years. Found out. Trial. Jail for over a year. House arrest for six weeks. Signed earlier this month with Philadelphia Eagles. Returns to the field soon. Welcome back to the NFL.
Donte Stallworth. Receiver for Cleveland Browns. Stellar athlete. Endorsements galore. Millionaire. Got drunk, drove, had a wreck, killed a guy. Vehicular manslaughter. Turned himself in, at the request of his attorney. 24 days in jail. Suspended by NFL Commissioner for a year without pay. Saga to be continued.After reading these brief summaries or keeping up with the stories via ESPN, does their appear to be some sort of injustice that has occurred?
Yeah... thought so.
Now don't get me wrong, I love dogs, probably more than most people ever will. But regardless of the severity of Vick's actions, it seems a bit off for his punishment to be more severe than Stallworth's. Stallworth was intoxicated, decided to get behind the wheel of a car and the result of his decision was the loss of another human life, the loss of one's son, father, husband or brother. Normal people, those that don't make millions of dollars playing professional sports, would usually get well in excess of a year for this crime, usually three or more depending on their home state, but Stallworth got a mere 24 days, likely in a white collar, business man prison, a la Martha Stewart.There really isn't too much more to say about this. The facts speak from themselves. It's not justice to let people off because of their status as an athlete or celebrity. And it's not justice to merely suspend sports figures for a few games for crimes like manslaughter.
Is it fair the Stallworth gets suspended for a year without pay when Ricky Williams and Adam "Pac Man" Jones have both been suspended for longer periods of time for lesser crimes (assault, marijuana abuse, disturbing the peace)? Is it fair that Plaxico Burress could serve up to three years in jail for shooting himself by mistake in the leg just because he had a concealed weapon in New York City when Stallworth for all practical purposes murdered someone and got less than a month in jail? Of course it's not fair. But what can I do about it?
Maybe it's time for the professional sports organization's commissioners to treat their players like real people as opposed to superhuman heroes. Maybe they should act like voters and other politicians do after a congressman or governor has an affair and force them out of the limelight so they can take time to better their lives.I honestly have no solution for this problem, but it is a problem. It is not justice to let people slide because they entertain us on a field or a court or even on television or on the radio. Last time I checked, all men were created equal, and for the justice system to treat people in the public eye differently than the average man is simply put a travesty.
And if you think it's just the players, don't forget the coaches. They can be just as bad and still go unpunished.
A wise duck, Daffy that is, once said, "Consequences, schmonsequences, as long as I'm rich."
Guess the bad seed sports heroes and celebrities watched a lot of cartoons growing up...
One of the main reasons Stallworth rewceived less punishment was that the person walked out in front of his car. he wasnt just walking on the side walk or crossing at a designated crosswalk, he walked out in front of the car in the middle of the road. and no one knows why, but the pedestrian was at fault too.
ReplyDeleteAlso Warner, the family was involved in the plea deal and signed of on it. The deal included a monetary settlement to the family. The prosecutor also noted that he showed genuine remorse and stayed at the scene instead of running. The pedestrian was slightly at fault as well. He didn't get a light sentence
ReplyDeletebecause he was an athlete but because he was rich. Remember Ted Kennedy didn't go to jail when he killed a woman. In America, where victim's families have the prosecutor's crimes that involve a victim are much easier to get a lighter punishment because a settlement can be reached with the family. The prosecutor can then chalk the light plea deal up to the often used excuse of not wanting "to cause additional or undue stress on the family." Stallworth also was likely aided by the fact that American law takes intent into account. Intent is a major difference between Vick and Stallworth. While Stallworth put himself into situation which increased the odds of a bad thing occurring by drinking and driving, he didn't intend to kill someone. Vick knew what he was doing. He meant to run an illegal dogfighting ring and kill dogs. He committed his crime with malice.
Also, the differences in the Stallworth and Plaxico cases are mandatory sentencing laws and the lack of a victim. Burress can't settle with a victim in order to have pressure put on the DA by the victim to agree to plea to a lesser charge. Also, NYC has strict laws on guns which call for mandatory sentence. The differences in cases has more to do with state laws than severity.
On the subject of Michael Vick, you seem to gloss over the fact he has already missed 2 years and lost most of his $130 million contract and countless endorsements as a result. He was also pushed into bankruptcy. He also is likely to have a suspension of up to 6 games this year which is 37.5% of the season which is equal to a 61 game suspension in the MLB or a 31 game suspension in the NHL or NBA. As someone who is a marginal passer who relies heavily on his feet, Vick was hurt far more than the average QB by missing those two years in the athletic prime of his career. The legal system was not easy on him by any means as far as dog fighting laws are concerned. He spent 23 months at Leavenworth, by no means a "country club prison." While Vick actions were despicable, he has done his time and deserves to go on with life. If he fulfills his promise to the ASPCA, he can be the single most important person in the battle against dogfighting. Vick, if you look at everything, has paid a steep price
Your point that Williams and Jones received heftier suspensions for lighter crime is untrue. They received suspensions equal to Stallworth's suspension because they were multiple offenders. Williams failed multiple drug tests, and Jones had numerous arrests and off field incidents. Also, neither Williams nor Jones received a longer penalty for a single offense. Williams retired in 2004. He returned the next year and served a four game suspension for a positive test that occurred prior to his retirement. He then tested positive again which triggered a season suspension under the leagues substance abuse program. He them returned in 2007 after seeking reinstatement. Pacman missed the 2007 season and was reinstated shortly before last season began. Neither player had a longer ban imposed for a single offense.Williams had two separate suspensions. Pacman received an equal suspension. Stallworth had no prior suspensions or history, aside from a positive test which landed him in the league's treatment program but not a suspension. So, in essence, this crime was his first suspendible offense.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to single the NFL when other leagues like the NBA are just as bad if not worse, especially considering the NFL has 1696 players on active rosters at any given time as opposed to 450 in the NBA. You also fail to point out your favorite "sport," pro wrestling, with their numerous legal incident which include domestic abuse, rampant drug use, stalking, and murder is very culpable. The NFL has done more than any league to address off the field issues than any other sport during the last few years since Roger Goodell became commissioner. Goodell has taken a hard line, and very few players actually commit infractions Now, every off the field incident is reviewed and taken seriously. He has enforced that it is not a right but a privilege to play in the NFL. In fact, players who commit minor crimes are punished more than you or I would be. For instance, you get a disorderly conduct. You pay the fine and likely never have an issue with it. A NFL player would pay the fine, have their boss informed, and be suspended for a game or two. He would have his reputation a work sullied as well as losing game checks. Goodell has done more than Selig, Stern, and Bettman combined to address player conduct. Goodell and the NFL are also at a greater exposure risk considering the number of NHL, MLB, and NBA players combined are not much greater than the the NFL's players.
I believe your tidbit fails to note that the leniency sports stars are given has more to do with money than fame. Gone are the days when an athlete can get away with anything on his town. Today, there is too much coverage and scrutiny for that to occur. The rich get better deals in general. They can afford better lawyers and more hush money.