Is it just me or is everybody else sick and tired of the nonstop self-righteous, effusive news broadcasters and ex-athlete sports commentators blathering on about fallen sports figures and their dirty deeds. As I watch these sports programs, I can’t help but laugh at the hypocrisy displayed. Several of these pumped up pious ex NFL stars who now find themselves in the announcer’s booth, or as analysts on pre-game shows, should take heed from the old idiom— “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones!” We still vividly remember some of your not-so-honorable headlines from back in the day buddy. And if you happen to find yourself feeling a little sympathetic for these tarnished jock icons, maybe you should adopt one of my axioms- -never feel sorry for a person who makes more money in a year than you will earn in your lifetime! Most recently the bad boys of the NFL are front and center. However, let’s not forget some of sports’ most infamous golden oldies–Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Barry Bonds, Michael Vick and Iron Mike Tyson. I recognize that the 24-hour news stations need to fill air time, and consequently, when a juicy, salacious story breaks, they tend to go a tad overboard. However, if I see Ray Rice knocking his wife out or dragging her limp body from the elevator once more, I’m going to get physically sick. Once is too much! He deserves all the punishment he will be getting and then some, but please news director quit showing the tape. At this point it serves no purpose. Oh, that’s right, it brings in huge ratings.
These holier-than-thou sanctimonious newscasters and commentators are suddenly outraged and appalled at the violent acts perpetrated by this handful of NFL stars. Hey pal, where were you during the past 10 years while report after report surfaced involving a myriad of professional athletes knocking around their ladies? This isn’t new, it’s been happening for decades, but NOW you’re overly concerned. How convenient. Your smugness and pretentiousness is palpable and comical. I guess I’m just frustrated from watching the pre-game NFL shows each week and seeing forty-five minutes of the one-hour broadcast spent on Ray Rice (the wife puncher) and Adrian Peterson (the kid swatter). Watching each of the on air hosts breathlessly attempt to demonstrate more passion and outrage than their co-hosts is laughable. I get it. They exhibited unacceptable, brutal, thoughtless behavior and are now being punished for those shameful, dastardly deeds. So, get back to us when there is some “fresh” news to report, but until then, let’s talk football.
So, what’s my point you ask? I’m not quite sure that I have one, or at least a good one. I guess it’s the phoniness that oozes out of these charlatans, lecturing us through the boob-tube with their haughty tone of superiority as if we had the IQ of a groundhog (my sincere apologies to groundhog owners). We get it, so just play the games please! Over the past 30 years I believe I’ve become justifiably much more cynical regarding sports and the idolization of its tarnished stars. These sports icons are, like us, also people with human frailties and fallibilities. Most of them should not be placed on a pedestal and worshiped by impressionable young kids. Although most professional athletes are decent, generous, upstanding citizens, we have no way of really knowing who’s who. The two most recent culprits, Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, were pillars of their community and adored by their fans. Actually I believe Rice (Baltimore Ravens) and Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) are still revered by many of their cities’ fan base.
Now that you know my feelings on the subject, I must tell you that I also believe these fallen gridiron warriors deserve another chance to play football again. This should not be a “death sentence” for any of these guys. They should face their situation honestly, comply with all league and legal mandates, and demonstrate contrition (the ravenous public just loves tearful apologies). After fulfilling all directives and obligations, I say let ‘em play!
Pete Whalon, author of “The Siagon Zoo” has called Southern California home since age five.
