- -Barry Bonds pursuit of the home run record (and alleged bennefit of steroids)
- -an NBA official involved in a gambling and point shaving scheme,
- -to multiple participants in the recent Tour de France being removed for performance enhancing drugs.
I am left asking the question why are people outraged by the athletic community? Are they doing something different that many people in their given professions? Are they just a more public representation of this given culture?
It would seem that many people in society would look to get an advantage if it would benefit their own interests. This is a sad state for our culture but while people are aplauded for how they can evade taxes, and maximize their bottom line...aren't athletes simply doing the same thing? It certainly does not make it right..just consistent with the rest of society.
2 comments:
To me, the world of sports is an escape from harsh realities of the world. I'm a purist when it comes to sports. I don't want the all time home run hitter to be medically enhanced. I don't want the NBA championship decided by a crooked referee. And I don't want one of the leagues best QB's torturing dogs on the side. Is it too much to ask that not EVERYTHING is tampered or tainted? I'm going to teach my kids that cheating on taxes is just as bad as cheating at baseball. Just because society seemingly accepts one, does not make either indiscretions right.
What it boils down to is that the professional establishments of the major professional sports leagues have no backbone. They have no moral fiber guiding them. If it's so widely known that Bonds is cheating, then why on earth is he still playing? Why was he, of all people, not testifying on Capitol Hill with Mark McGwire and Palmiero? The NBA knew Donaghy had a gambling problem. They knew he had a shady past. They did nothing.
So for what it's worth, I'm tired of weak leadership. And I'm furious with what has happened to sports.
kind of funny that when it comes to athletics- Americans are Puritans.. we will cheat, finagle, & fight to cut corners everywhere else in society- but with sports in the States, give me right or give me wrong. we want our refs to wear black & white- there is no room for gray.
Post a Comment