Athletic Accountability

Athletes continue to get preferential treatment in our society. Professional sports stars are handed VIP passes to shows and the given the best tables in restaurants. They often do not even have reservations or have to pick up the tab. Athletes are, unfortunately, also given a pass when it comes to the law. It bothers me to see a celebrated athlete skate from accusations of assault or charges of misdemeanor crimes. Some people argue that athletes are media targets. I disagree. Public figures are not victims. They should adhere to the same standards as every other citizen. An athlete’s earning power surpasses those in the ordinary workforce, but their conformity to the law does not. Society, league officials and governing bodies should not commend athletes for belittling their role.
Athletes are blessed with God-given talents. They are in the public eye because they are admired for their skills and ability to perform in a sport. Our country elevates professional players to such an elite status we sometimes consider them immune to human faults. Athletes make mistakes too. They should be accountable for their actions off the field. Sports stars should not be given special treatment, yet this happens at almost every level of the game. High school students who play sports are afforded the opportunity to pass on gym class or make up tests they fail in order to remain eligible. Collegiate athletes register for classes before all other students. This may seem strange coming from a former college athlete, but the concept is wrong. I understand the logic of having athletes register early. They need to leave their schedules open to accommodate practices, games and matches. But consider the non-athlete who volunteers afternoons or the student who has to work part-time to help pay for school. All three examples are choices. People can choose to volunteer or work just as they can choose to join a sports team. Professors and teacher who pass students simply because they are on an athletic team is unacceptable. By the same token, altering a student’s grade is wrong. It only hurts the student in the end. It’s nice to have certain privileges for being an athlete because it takes hard work and dedication to play. It is a privilege, not a right, to play. Participation on the field hardly makes someone special outside the playing field, however.
One of the major purposes of sports participation is to build character. Steelers’ quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger was recently accused of sexually assaulting a college student in Georgia. This is not the first time Big Ben has been pegged with such accusations. He may be innocent and the charges have yet to be proven. I used to admire Roethlisberger for his grittiness and guts. Fans have to question the quarterback’s character and intentions. Authorities must treat him as they would an everyday citizen. So many athletes get off scott free for serious crimes. They hurt other people and are simply reprimanded before they return to the game as heroes. Does that not contradict the entire philosophy of athletics? If athletics if founded in character, dignity and respect, what example does it set when professionals are given special treatment? It isn’t fair for the football player who punches an opponent or the basketball player who abuses his wife to continue to earn a paycheck as an athlete. Athletes are supposed to be role models and too often they are mere entertainers. I still hold to the idea that an athlete represents not only their sport, but the integrity of those associated with the game. It’s okay to accept people’s weaknesses but punishment has to be apportioned accordingly. There is an honor and nobility associated with the celebrity status. Professionals earn more annually than most people earn in a lifetime. Their opportunities to do good and set a positive example are endless. Yet, the majority of their time in the spotlight is not a reflection of what athletes should be. It shames me to associate with athletes when I see the type of behavior some exhibit in today’s society. If only their character were half as respectable as their professional talent, athletes would deserve the praise we show them.

Parting Points: Band of the day- Nsync