Especially as a kid, I looked up to athletes. They seem to embody the best of what it means to be a person - play hard, play by the rules, and get your rewards. You could even make a mistake, even a big one, and redeem yourself. The sports world seemed simple and the rules made sense.
Not any more. You can find redemption if you are the best at what you do and everybody wants to watch you. Just ask Michael Vick. Still not sure if he has learned his lesson. May seem that way today, but we have to wait to see what he does when he comes into the big money again. Wonder how much he is going to donate to the Humane Society.
You can also find redemption if you know somebody important. Just ask Brett Sutter, a Calgary Flames hockey player recently traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. Brett got into a fight outside a bar in Arizona and was jailed on suspicion of assault. Somebody else might be run out of the league, but Brett is too well connected. His father, Darryl, is the Flames GM and his uncle, Brent is the coach. So they cook up a family arrangement to send him to play with his younger cousin, Brandon, Brent's son, in Carolina. Amazing the extent to which families will go to keep problems hidden under the rug.
Then there is the case of Albert Hainsworth in Washington.He doesn't deserve any redemption. Turns out he gets suspended for the remaining four games of the season for insubordination. Not only does he not like the defense he is playing, he recently informed the GM, Bruce Allen, that he will no longer talk to his coach. His agent, Chad Speck, is incensed that Albert was not given prior formal notice that his behavior was a problem. Maybe Albert didn't know the right people....
And last but not least, let's not forget Brett Favre, quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. Brett is accused of sending sexting with a Jet hostess, Jennifer Sterger while playing for this NY team last year. But it turns out that he may retire before he can be punished by the league. The investigation has dragged on for two months, enabling Brett to maintain himself as one of the league's premium TV draws. I guess he does know somebody after all. Wonder if his wife is as enamoured of him these days as the league appears to be.
Sports just isn't what it used to be. Wonder if we all are saying the same thing about ourselves and the world we live in.....
