In the NBA, there is the gambling scandal involving Tim Donaghy and the mafia. Tim Donaghy was betting on games where he was a referee. This leads to the thought of point shaving during games and it makes you second guess the integrity of the NBA. Also in the NBA, you have the sexual harassment case involving New York Knicks GM, Isiah Thomas and a Madison square garden employee, Anucha Browne Sanders. Sanders accused Thomas of making sexual and rude gestures and when Sanders tried to inform MSG and the Knick organization, she was fired. Sanders turned right around and filed a law suit accusing Thomas of sexual harassment and MSG for wrongful termination. The NBA is already fighting an image battle where they are trying to get rid of the "gangster persona"that hovers over the league. As the start of the new NBA season is right around the corner, one must wonder what's next?
A big problem in today's sports is whether or not athletes have used steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. In baseball, it seems like everyday a new name is linked to using steroids or HGH. We all know about Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi, but in this 2007 season, names like Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus appeared. Rick Ankiel was the feel good story of the year. Ankiel had major surgery on his elbow and then gave up pitching to become an outfielder. When the St. Louis Cardinals promoted him to the majors after a short stint in the minors, he made a huge splash by hitting 9 home runs in a short span while playing excellent defense. However, because of this dark time in sports, every feel good story turns out to be a real disappointment. In recent news Marion Jones, a winner of 5 Olympic medals in the Sydney games, including 3 gold and 2 bronze, admitted to using steroids during 2000 and 2001. Jones stated that she had no idea what she was taking until 2003. Jones now must give up her 5 medals, which is a huge disappointment to the USA olympic team and the people of the USA. A hero to millions of people is now considered a fraud.In the NFL, commissioner Roger Goodell is trying to improve the image of football. Goodell has had to deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, who, over the last 2 seasons, have had more then 10 players arrested for a variety of things. Goodell has also had to deal with Mr Pacman "I make it rain" Jones and a
number of other players but now he has a real challenge on hand his hands when it comes to Michael Vick. Probably one of the biggest stories in recent years in sports has been the Michael Vick case. If you're wondering why Joey Harrington is the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, all you have to do is turn on the television. Vick has been accused of not only killing dogs but also of running an illegal dogfighting ring. Vick was very involved in this dogfighting ring and now faces up to 6 years in jail. It is a very bad situation for football because Vick was one of the most exciting players in the game. With lightning speed and a gun of an arm, he was a lot of fun to watch. Now we have to watch him in a suit, stiff arming reporters as he walks in and out of court rooms.
number of other players but now he has a real challenge on hand his hands when it comes to Michael Vick. Probably one of the biggest stories in recent years in sports has been the Michael Vick case. If you're wondering why Joey Harrington is the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, all you have to do is turn on the television. Vick has been accused of not only killing dogs but also of running an illegal dogfighting ring. Vick was very involved in this dogfighting ring and now faces up to 6 years in jail. It is a very bad situation for football because Vick was one of the most exciting players in the game. With lightning speed and a gun of an arm, he was a lot of fun to watch. Now we have to watch him in a suit, stiff arming reporters as he walks in and out of court rooms.
Another big story in football is the accusation made by the New York Jets involving the New England Patriots and a camera-man spy. An employee of the Patriots was caught filming the Jets defensive coaches. This is not the first time a team has accused the Patriots of cheating. The Green Bay Packers accused them of the same thing last year. The Patriots as punishment were charged a first round pick and Belicheck and the organization were fined heavily. Now when people speak of the dynasty the Patriots are putting together, there will always be that question of whether or not they cheated throughout the years.
3 comments:
Being an athlete, I hate the lengths some people go to in order to win. I know everyone wants to win an have that competitive edge on other teams in their sport, but performance enhancing drugs and stealing signs in order to do it is abysmal. Marion Jones has now tarnished her name and reputation because she took steroids. She will never be looked at being the best female sprinter ever again. There is a reason why everyone isn't the same, because of our genetic makeup. If you don't win at everything, it was meant to be. The way you develop yourself and train is how you become the best, not a "magic pill."
I have to agree with both of you. It's a little disheartening to see all this corruption in the world of sports. As we've discussed in class, sport is "omnipresent" and athletes serve as role models. Yet when you have all these athletes that are committing crimes and taking steroids it makes it a little more difficult to endorse athletes as positive role models. It is also unacceptable to see organizations cheat in order to win a game. If you need to resort to cheating in order to win then you might need to assess whether you are the better team or not. It just makes it seem like it's okay for young athletes to participate in the same acts of desperation in order to win. Therefore, it is only appropriate that measures are taken to prevent such corruption and to enforce consequences when rules are violated.
It is definitely heartbreaking to see these negative stories surrounding sports figures today. It seems that every professional sport has been burdened with a scandal whether it be a coach, player, or an official. I'm not sure if there is more criminal activity happening today or if there are just more paparazzi and media to cover these events. I
think that money and fame give these high profile athletes
a false sense of being invisible.
Post a Comment