Higher Standards or Human Beings?
By Lyndi Araujo
IV Leader Sports writer, Oct. 19, 2006
For many of you avid sports fans out there, I’m sure
you’ve heard the suicide allegations brought against Terrell Owens after being
hospitalized a few weeks ago for taking too many pain killers.
T.O. explained in a news conference this was not the case,
but I’m sure there are many out there still in doubt. However, imagine you’re in
this position and this situation is true; how hard would it be to deal with an
issue so serious with cameras in your face and reporters following you around.
Owens isn’t the first athlete to deal with such scrutiny
during hard times. Right before the NBA Draft, Duke All-American guard J.J.
Redick was charged with a DUI back in Durham, North Carolina while visiting
Duke. Naturally, it was all over the news and many couldn’t believe someone in
the public eye and an idol to many young children would ever do such a thing.
Obviously Redick’s decision was a mistake, but there was talk
about if it would affect his draft status. Besides not wanting a player with
baggage, why would this affect his draft status? Drinking and driving doesn’t
change Redick’s abilities as a basketball player.
People want to say because he is more likely to be in the
public eye that he should watch his actions. However, does this mean people not
in the spotlight all the time should be able to act with reckless abandon?
Athletes are obviously some of the highest paid people in the
world and we expect nothing but the best out of them. They are supposed to bring
out the best in competition and keep us entertained. We need to remember though
that they are human beings like the rest of us. They need food, water, and
oxygen to survive and they deal with many of the same everyday struggles we do,
except with all forms of media right there to document it.
In the case of Redick, a parent might encourage their child
to pick another athlete to follow and complain of the ridiculous contract he
will sign and not deserve half the money in it. However, if it was your brother
or sister getting a DUI and your kid looked up to them, would you encourage them
not to; or do they get some slack because they are an average person who makes
mistakes.
How would you like to be laying in a hospital bed suffering
from exhaustion and depression and flip on the television to see a new update on
your status or what is believed to be the cause of it all every ten minutes? The
life of an athlete is more difficult than most of us presume.
So next time you see a report of some sort regarding the
struggle of one, take a minute to wish them the best.