Pro Athletes Above The Law?

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

It's not worth getting into.

You're right - it is a larger societal problem, and in some small sense, we're all to blame for it. It's also a problem that society at large will have to deal with by eventually collectively saying "enough!"

[Atlanta Dan]

As Jeremy says, pro athletes develop an extraordinary sense of entitlement from adolescence on as they are idolized by their peers and fawned over by coaches and college boosters prior to unimaginable wealth being acquired as they are just out of their teens. It is the enablers that create the problem.

However, while they can afford high priced legal talent (and that is what makes all the difference in the American judicial system) to deal with their legal difficulties, I think it is their wealth more than their celebrity that allows them to buy their way out of problems. Same situation as a low life like Paris Hilton being held accountable only long after any of us would have been put in the slammer.

In fact, given that non-federal prosecutors are usually elected, in some cases an athlete can be prosecuted to score political points when a non-jock might be left alone - just ask the Duke lacrosse team (in which case the players fortunately had the $$ to beat the DA into a bloody pulp, which gets back to the U.S. judicial system being the best one $$ can buy).

Bottom line is that money doesn't talk in this society - it screams. Arrogant pro athletes are just one reflection of that situation.

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

You're right - it is a larger societal problem, and in some small sense, we're all to blame for it. It's also a problem that society at large will have to deal with by eventually collectively saying "enough!"

The first step is the 'complaint' right?

Thats when the NFL begins to wonder if its demographic is getting turned off by elements of its product - thats when it starts to imagine losing dollars.

Thats when it might take some action.

On the whole, in terms of world wide sports, the NFL is excellent - the consumer demand for it tells us that it is based upon a successful formula.

Even is certain things are accepted in pro-sports by the majority, the blatant use of performance enhancing drugs in baseball for example, it doesn't mean you as an individual can't rail against the things that turn you off.

In short - well said

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

How many of you have been friends with really high level athletes? In high school, I ran with some of the better athletes in our school. The type of kids who had colleges calling every day and had coaches in the stands for all their games. So I can say that this kind of behavior from them doesn't really surprise me. As a matter of fact, I've more than come to accept it as the way things are. An athlete is cheating on his wife? So what. I knew an offensive lineman who was nailing someone else's girlfriend the entire summer before our senior year. An athlete gets out of a DUI? So what. I knew a guy who got busted for underage DUI and it was swept under the rug.

These men (and some women) don't occupy the same space most people do. Their lives are different, they're privileged. Don't hate them for what they have and what they can get away with. Hate yourselves for allowing it to come to this. Every time you buy a hat with the NFL logo on it, you're saying it's ok that the league has thugs and scumbags. Everytime you watch a game, you say it's ok for Pacman Jones to be in a strip club at 3 AM. Everytime you go see a game in person, you're saying it's ok for Mike Vick to have dog fights at his house.

We're as much to blame in all of this as the NFL and the players. But in today's world of it always being someone else's fault, we'll never acknowldege that fact.

Funny... I know two people who drafted into NHL hockey... one that actually played for some time. NEITHER of them were like that. Maybe it is just the sport... or the fact that REGARDLESS of what others say, people STILL have to take personal responsibility for thier actions.

And I am sorry... a football player occupies about 9 inches more space height wise, and about 5 inches in width... outside of that, there is no difference in what kind of "space" he occupies. Wrong is wrong. Sleeping with another guys wife or girlfriend is wrong. Period. No excuses. DUI... wrong. Period. The problem is not that we don't understand, its that there are a few people who don't care. Even so, it doesn't make it right... no matter the excuse.

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Funny... I know two people who drafted into NHL hockey... one that actually played for some time. NEITHER of them were like that. Maybe it is just the sport... or the fact that REGARDLESS of what others say, people STILL have to take personal responsibility for thier actions.

And I am sorry... a football player occupies about 9 inches more space height wise, and about 5 inches in width... outside of that, there is no difference in what kind of "space" he occupies. Wrong is wrong. Sleeping with another guys wife or girlfriend is wrong. Period. No excuses. DUI... wrong. Period. The problem is not that we don't understand, its that there are a few people who don't care. Even so, it doesn't make it right... no matter the excuse.

Yet we still buy their swag and watch their games. So who's really wrong here?

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Yet we still buy their swag and watch their games. So who's really wrong here?

so what about all the criminals who arent atheletes? do football fans get the blame for them too?

i guess all the people who support the military are really the ones to blame for 9-11 and all terrorism, huh? maybe its because of all the people who watch the news and buy newspapers. yeah. its our fault. we're wrong.

[Edman]

All celebrities are above the law.

Ever wondered why Paris Hilton hasn't been thrown in prison yet? Or why O.J Simpson was let off the hook? Or why Martha Stewart served only a paltry time in jail that the "common folk" would get years for?

It's just the sad truth.

[Elvis]

Good afternoon everyone.. good to see that everyone or alot of you feel the same way I do. I love most all sports and I wish all the players/coaches/owners etc. the best of wishes and hope that all is well on this marvelous Mothers Day.. By The Way... Happy Mothers Day to All the Mothers here in our forrum and God Bless You All, I hope that all your mothers day wishes have came true today , this special day for ya'll, and we love each and every moma out there..
Now, I work at the Harrahs Casino Hotel in Cherokee, NC and we have alot of rich people that visit our hotel, and about 80% of those richest folks will turn their noses up at ya, and about 10% of them will not even notice you being there in front of them. Now, the other 10% will actually act like they have common sense for other human beings like myself. They will talk to ya and actually carry on a conversation with ya and tell ya to have a nice day also. But, never let anyone tell ya that they are Any Better Than You or Me.. their not, they put their pants on 1 leg at a time just like we do. A pro athelete is No Different.. They all have heartaches and pains and they all have family problems and divorces. They Should Not Be Treated Any Different Than Any Other Criminal In My Opinion..

[silver & black]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

How many of you have been friends with really high level athletes? In high school, I ran with some of the better athletes in our school. The type of kids who had colleges calling every day and had coaches in the stands for all their games. So I can say that this kind of behavior from them doesn't really surprise me. As a matter of fact, I've more than come to accept it as the way things are. An athlete is cheating on his wife? So what. I knew an offensive lineman who was nailing someone else's girlfriend the entire summer before our senior year. An athlete gets out of a DUI? So what. I knew a guy who got busted for underage DUI and it was swept under the rug.

These men (and some women) don't occupy the same space most people do. Their lives are different, they're privileged. Don't hate them for what they have and what they can get away with. Hate yourselves for allowing it to come to this. Every time you buy a hat with the NFL logo on it, you're saying it's ok that the league has thugs and scumbags. Everytime you watch a game, you say it's ok for Pacman Jones to be in a strip club at 3 AM. Everytime you go see a game in person, you're saying it's ok for Mike Vick to have dog fights at his house.

We're as much to blame in all of this as the NFL and the players. But in today's world of it always being someone else's fault, we'll never acknowldege that fact.

Sorry, I have to disagree with you. I allowed none of what you said. I, and most other fans are outraged that these people are allowed to get away with what they do. How is that allowing this kind of behavior?

Just because I cheer for a certain team, doesn't make me responsible for a player on that team's actions... regardless of weather or not I have a hat with the team logo. You can spin it however you wish, but, at the end of the day, EVERYONE is responsible for their own actions. Any other way you wish to look at it is just a cop out.

The bottom line, unfortunately, is... money talks... the rest of us pay.

[silver & black]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Yet we still buy their swag and watch their games. So who's really wrong here?

Why do I sense that you don't have very many life miles under you belt?