From steroid scandals to bad behavior among highly paid athletes to officials betting on games to the latest disgrace involving spying, it is clear that professional sports is undergoing a severe crisis today.
We have a new homerun champion in Major League Baseball, Barry Bonds, but almost everyone knows that he cheated his way to the top by using illegal steroids. His placement in the record books and in the hall of fame will be accompanied by a well deserved asterisk. The best player in the NFL, Michael Vick, will soon be sentenced and will likely spend at least a year in jail. His future status as a NFL quarterback is in jeopardy.
The greatest scandal in the history of the NBA was uncovered this year when a referee was discovered betting on games and possibly using his important position to change the outcome of games.
Now, it is learned that the best team in the NFL over the last decade has been illegally videotaping their opponents and breaking league rules by spying. The New England Patriots were caught taping the defensive and offensive play calls of the New York Jets. A Patriots official was nabbed on the Jets sidelines with a camera pointed in the direction of the team coaches. The team official was detained by league representatives and his camera was confiscated. This spying incident was uncovered in the first quarter and supposedly did not play a role in the Patriots victory. Nonetheless, it was a serious infraction of league rules and led to a harsh response from the NFL. The team and head coach, Bill Belichick were fined $750,000 and will lose at least one draft pick next year, maybe more determining on whether the team makes the playoffs.
This incident has thrown all of the accomplishments of the Patriots into question. The team that has won three Super Bowls might have benefited from illegal spying in the past. In fact, some players who lost key games to the Patriots are now claiming that they were the victim of spying.
Belichick and the Patriots have done serious damage to the credibility of the NFL. From now on, people will wonder whether the outcome of a game was influenced by illegal means. As a result, the punishment should have been tougher to discourage such behavior in the future. The NFL should have suspended Belichick and the Patriots should have forfeited the victory.
Today, all league commissioners have to be wary of bad behavior among players, coaches and staff. If illegal, immoral or unethical conduct is tolerated, it will send the wrong message to the young fans that religiously follow professional sports. Only the strictest penalties will send the right message to the nation and discourage any such behavior in the future. The public is tired of the sports distractions and want to focus on the performance of their favorite athletes and teams. Hopefully, these troubling incidents are only an aberration and not an indication of things to come.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 5 till 9 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
It was very discouraging when two former coaching legends in college and the pros when talking about the patriots. Both of these coaches admitted to cheating at Oklahoma and Miami. Cheating seems to be a trade mark for success in many professions.
Written by bobby
on 9/21/2007
I agree with the last post. We make heroes out of those who bend the rules to build dominance, now even in high school. All you have to do is study most of the schools who are "dominant" and check out the holdbacks and transfers. These coaches become our legends. I challenge you to research all the "dominant" programs in La. private and public and see what you find. But LHSAA condones such action. What a brilliant decision to move Evangel back to class A because they were winning AAAAA too much. Boy that fixed it. Their used to be a bylaw in the rule book of LHSAA that stated that a student can not transfer for athletic purposes.I am so glad we see so much interest in the academia. thank you. This would make a great documentary if you did not get shut down for trying.
Written by Bobby
on 9/21/2007
It is not just pros. we have it at all levels. the most dominant high school program in La. are built on transfers and hold backs. I guess you will now hold them back in the 6trh grade. If you don't believe this, check it aout?
Written by Bobby
on 9/14/2007
It is not just pros. we have it at all levels. the most dominant high school program in La. are built on transfers and hold backs. I guess you will now hold them back in the 6trh grade. If you don't believe this, check it aout?
Written by Bobby
on 9/14/2007
I agree a forfeit by the Patriots is indicated. Consider the following hypothetical: had it been proved that the Government had audiotaped any conversation between Edwin Edwards and his lawyer, EEE would never have gone to jail.
Written by Bullwinkle
on 9/14/2007
An even better story is the McLaren team getting caught with a Ferrari tech handbook. McLaren has to forfit all its constructors' points. But the US doesn't care much about Formula One.
Written by
on 9/14/2007
They should have made them forfiet the first victory this year!
From steroid scandals to bad behavior among highly paid athletes to officials betting on games to the latest disgrace involving spying, it is clear that professional sports is undergoing a severe crisis today. 