'Cmon, Really?

By Erin Colton

I get angry with professional athletes who don't appreciate what they have. Maybe that's because I would literally cut off my left foot to be one. (Well, I guess then I wouldn't be so  good.) Anyway, when I hear or see pro athletes either take advantage of someone, not take a picture with a fan, sign an autograph, not give back, or do something either illegal or disrespectful, it bothers me. A lot.

I think it gets to me because I'm around younger athletes so much, who look up to the pros like they're heroes. And to be honest, most of them are. Kids grow up playing the sports they love, but more importantly, wanting to become the athletes they admire.

So when Adam "Pacman" Jones, a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, continues to do things to get himself arrested and kicked out of the NFL, it's a problem. A big one.

Back in October, Jones was suspended indefinitely from the league after he got into an "alcohol-related scuffle" with his bodyguard during a party at a Dallas hotel. (The bodyguard was given to him to make sure he stayed out of trouble.) This is after Jones missed the ENTIRE 2007 season -- suspended for repeated legal troubles while with the Tennessee Titans. He was traded to Dallas in the off-season, then given another chance by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Well, Goodell has now given him yet ANOTHER chance, letting Jones back into the league after being suspended for just 6 games this season.

'Cmon, really?
 
Roger Goodell should be ashamed of himself. Nearly as much as Jones should be. He let a criminal back into his football league to probably just cause more trouble. Jones should be kicked out of football for good and not even be allowed to coach Pee Wee kids. Especially not kids. Don't let the guy near any of them!

To wrap up Jones' career (as an alleged criminal) he's been arrested 6 times in a span of 3 years. With a record like that, a normal person would find it hard to get a job, or would probably even be in jail. But nope, "Pacman" got a free ride back into the NFL today.

Who else is tired of this? I actually can't even believe I'm wasting my time blogging about it. But it continues to infuriate me when athletes blatantly use their status to get away with anything. It's making me sick to my stomach thinking this guy is going to once again, collect a six figure paycheck. And he probably has not once thought once about spending more time on the football field, instead of inside a bar or nightclub.

So if you get a chance to sit with your little athlete tonight, let them know all pros aren't Gods. They don't all live in the real world. And they certainly -- do not all deserve the praise fans give them.

Comments

[Clemens, Conseco, Strawberry, Sosa and Maguire]

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

[Bob]

Erin, I totally agree with you on this. Years ago, one pro athlete said that it is not in his contract to be a role model for kids. Well guess what. Kids watch these athletes and want to be like them. It may not be in their contract, but once they turn pro, they're already a role model.

These people are handed everything. Yes it takes talent to make it and earn the big bucks, but don't complain. You want to see what your alternative is, switch places with me (lifestyle and salary) and work the whole week all day and make just enough money to make ends meet. Yes these athletes get paid a lot of money to play "a game". Thats all it is, a game.

Heck I would play the game for the minimum salary.

[Pat]

Hey Erin, great blog. I think that "Pacman" Jones had enough chances and the leagues should just ban him. He's only just gonna get in to trouble again. He just seems like the type of person who just doesn't learn his lesson. Also, is one of those piss from TNA Wrestling? I know during his first suspension, he went there for a little bit.