Don't get me wrong. I love football. But the sports pages today are beginning to read more like the crime reports. Do athletes just think the rules don't apply to them? And are we responsible for creating this mentality?
2007-09-08 08:13:10 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
I understand that normal people commit crimes. But studies have shown that athlete commit more than their share.
2007-09-08 08:23:36 · update #1
Look at it this way, it may seem like you hear about "so many athletes being thugs" but they are still in the minority amongst players that don't get themselves into trouble. The only difference is that aside from some sports figures like Cal Ripken, the media tends to focus on the players who get into trouble.
For example, you heard a lot of players from Cincinnati last year that got arrested, you've heard about Pacman Jones, and we all know about Michael Vick. Meanwhile if a player goes out and does a good dead (like Derrick Mason and his Ravens teammates helping to rebuild and revitalize an inner-city Baltimore playground)
At best the video from that ordeal was part of the Ravens half-time show during a pre-season game, and maybe it made the local news. ESPN won't make a buzz out of it because it won't ever develope into a huge story.
Take a look into any pro team and you're likely to find players that are out there commiting good deeds for the communities that they play for.
The problem is that these guys who are out there doing stupid things and getting arrested are not only hurting themselves, but they are also bringing about negative publicity for their organizations and the NFL.
I think some athletes believe that they can dodge their way from the law or get out of any situation, only to remember that the spotlight is on them once their story gets out that they've been arrested.
Other athletes who where raised up well and have a little more common sense and humility about them won't get themselves into trouble.
I think aspects of society are resonsible for creating the troublesome mentality that some players have. I think a lot of it has to do with the way athletes are raised and what kind of enviroment that they come from. Sometimes players just have bad attitudes and/or make poor decisions no matter what walk of life they come from.
If a all-star potential player comes from a shady backround and wasn't raised well, throw some money at him and build him up a star and it seems to me that sometimes the maturity of the player doesn't grow with his bank account. Then he suddenly realizes when it's too late that the things he does could put his NFL career in jepordy.
Throw some money at a all-star potential player who was raised well in a good enviroment and learned how to respect people, and if he becomes a star athlete, you get a guy like Cal Ripken who was made it a point to sign autographs for kids at ANY ballpark before a game. He was humble yet confident and appreciated what he had playing for the team he grew up rooting for, on top for playing for the 1983 team that won the world series.
The NFL does have some respected players of it's own, like Brett Farve, Matt Stover, Reggie Bush, and as well many of the players who personally voluntereed their time and efforts, or their money to the victims of Katrina without getting much publicity for it.
2007-09-08 09:27:18 · answer #1 · answered by Baltimore Birds Fan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Culture, grow up in the atmosphere that many athletes grow up in, especially young black athletes, and you would be doing the same things. Blacks still have much less opportunities in our society than whites, they have to work much harder because a much greater percentage of black children are born into low income families, this puts an obvious strain on many families. This is changing, but as any family can tell you, black or white, it's hard to go from poverty to prosperity.
To the person above me-Are you crazy? Most pro atheletes NFL athletes were spoiled kids?. A very large percentage of these people had nothing until they entered the NFL.
Michael Vick-Low income in the south
pacman-low income family
The lewis brothers-low income family
2007-09-08 08:25:15 · answer #2 · answered by Jett 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you are correct; society is responsible for creating this mentality. However, to be an athlete is just a dream. To be good is awesome. It's something to be proud of, and PRIDE is not a good thing. The gifts we're given should never be taken for granted. We do put athletes on pedestal's and no human being should be placed where they don't deserve.
2007-09-08 08:19:07 · answer #3 · answered by me2007 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll just comment on the politically correct facet to this problem. These guys are spoiled from their early years and it just intensifies as they get into college. They are taught that they can get away with things that other people cant. They act like pigs because they can.
And then you murder your ex wife and her friend, and get away with it. And go on to life a happy life and still get treated like a star...by some people.
Some people will be a thug if they have the opportunity to be a thug. A friend of mine from Mexico brought his little daughter to Seattle to have ear surgery. A basketball star met this guy in the hospital and quietly paid all his bills. Some people given power and money also do good.
2007-09-08 08:26:40 · answer #4 · answered by ninebadthings 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
most of the athletes that get caught are spoiled kids who think its a right to play the game of football because of the talent they been given. just like celebs who think they are superior to regular people they are the same way.
i got hurt and completely blow out my right knee which stopped me from playing. the kids i see on tv playing the game which i love so much, just makes me mad.
i think the media is to blame for this. alot of the bad things in society today the media is right there.
2007-09-08 08:21:19 · answer #5 · answered by buddy_z34 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they are humans and humans commit crime. the only difference is that if they told every regular joe crime the paper wouldn't have nearly enough room
they are very wealthy and feel that they should have a more lavish lifestyle
2007-09-08 08:17:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Only certain, poorly raised athletes
2007-09-08 08:17:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
cause they think that fame and money will get the out of anything they do
2007-09-08 08:26:47 · answer #8 · answered by hairydawg69 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they are just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
2007-09-08 08:17:18 · answer #9 · answered by OUTLAW J 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the environment that a lot of them come from.
2007-09-08 08:18:14 · answer #10 · answered by ny21tb 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋