Editorial: Why are
so many players in trouble? Because of a
lack of R E S P E C T.
Where is Aretha Franklin when we really need her? The violation of laws and team rules by
players at all levels in almost every sport results from a lack of respect.
By Bill Smith
NOTICE: The views
of Mr. Smith do not necessarily reflect this website or others that may be
associated with it.
The Problem:
Penn State
- Steve Delsohn of ESPN on the Outside the Lines show reported the
following. “Since April 1, 2007, when
several Penn State players were involved in a brawl
at an off-campus apartment, the program has been rocked by a series of arrests
and violations of team rules that suggests, at the least, a move away from the
rigid discipline for which Paterno's teams had always been noted.
In
all seven Lion football players have been suspended since the end of the 2007
season. That fact was highlighted on the
show that discussed the problem.
Georgia – The
Bulldogs rank #1 in more than some polls this year. According to CBS Sports “Eight players
have been arrested this off-season. Dewberry is the sixth player to be
suspended or dismissed from the team, and Richt said he's concerned about the
team's focus and the damage to the team's reputation.”
USC – The
issue with Reggie Bush went to court this week.
Basketball 1 and done star O.J. Mayo is investigated for involvement
with an agent and getting thousands of dollars while in school.
Colorado – 3
players have been suspended or dismissed from the team recently. Coach Hawkins suspended linebacker Michael
Sipili last year, and this year has suspended linebacker recruit Lynn Katoa.
Tight end Riar Greer's season is also in jeopardy after he was accused of
attacking two students at a party.
Ohio State
- And of course OSU has not been immune from the problem. Two players recently were suspended by Coach
Tressel for the first 2 games for various violations of team rules.
These
multiple violations of rules of so many teams are not the iceberg, and not even
the tip of an iceberg. These few
examples are a couple of snowflakes on the iceberg that may be a lot bigger
than any sports fan can even imagine.
The media
automatically assumes that the problem is a lack of “institutional control” at
the bottom of the issue. That is not the
case. I believe that the problem is the
universal loss of respect for everyone and everything by so many people around
the world.
The Cause:
Our
public schools have institutionalized permissiveness for students. If a teacher looks cross eyed at a student,
the teacher is disciplined. Mean while
the students are not so constrained.
They call teachers names that would embarrass an inebriated merchant
seaman.
Because of
the over crowding of our jails, the legal system tends to give minors that
commit crimes a slap on the hand. The
tendency is to blame society for the miss deeds and bad attitudes of
minors. But when they get away with
small crimes, the begin to believe that they can commit bigger crimes without
penalty.
We have a President
that according to recent polls has a 27% approval rate. That is outstanding compared to Congress that
is approved by only 9% of those polled.
Dozens of those that we have elected to high positions are found with
thousands of dollars of very cold cash in their freezers or for having taken
bribes from vendors or committing any number of other violations of law and our
trust.
Dozens of
business executives have stolen money from the public by inflating their stock
price and then selling their shares just before the bubble bursts.
If the
economy wasn't already in a natural down cycle after 7 years of very good
growth, our politicians in Washington
are pouring gas on the fire. When the
guy behind the counter of your local gas station is wearing a mask and carrying
a gun, chances are the price of gas is going to be out of site. Even so, the guys that have blocked drilling
for our own oil or building a new refinery since 1975 won't even allow a vote
on a solution. If you can't be part of
the solution, at least try not to be part of the problem.
Elected
officials in the government compare the treatment of illegal combatants held by
our military to gulags in the USSR
or the murderous Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge mob. No respect there.
Officials of
the NBA are being investigated after Tim Donaghy was accused of fixing playoff
games and giving inside info to gamblers.
He has since pleaded guilty of betting on NBA games including those he
officiated. And who among OSU fans will
forget or forgive Big 10 official Stephen Pamon for his error in the Illinois game and then
the cover up with “the dog ate my video replay” excuse. At least he won't be a problem for the Bucks
this season.
In this
environment it is hard to have respect for much. But it is critical that the individual have
respect for himself or herself. If that
is missing, it is impossible to have respect for anyone or anything. While truly good men like Coaches Tressel and
Paterno can not make up for the entire world having a bad attitude.
Political
correctness contributes to this problem.
I don't recall an article in the US Constitution that grants the freedom
of never having to be insulted. The
preaching of PC gives the offended party an excuse to take action against
someone that insults them. When did we
all become so thin skinned that we had to use violence to respond to an
insult? Grow up, take it and move on.
Modern
music in general and particularly rap and hip-hop is another contributor to the
general lack of respect. Too often it
glamorizes the use of force including guns for anyone that “disses” you.
No one can
ignore the “star” treatment that every athlete gets. But athletes have been getting that for
decades. This problem has only come up
in the last 20 years. There is a sense
that because they are special they deserve gifts, money and other perks.
Interestingly
enough that was about the time that prayer was taken out of the school systems
of the US. Coincidence?
I doubt it.
More and
more kids grow up in a single parent household.
That parent often works leaving the kids to be raised by TV, the
neighborhood, or day care. That is a
social problem. But when the Government
by its policy encourages single parent families, it is not part of the solution
but becomes a major contributor to the problem.
The solution:
So as individuals, what do we do?
Give
respect to those from whom we want to receive it. Reject
political correctness and anyone that supports it.
Replace
political correctness with just a little common kindness. Vote for
people that lie less than their opponent.
How do you tell if a politician is lying—if his lips are moving?
Demand more
from our children. Make them realize
that they are the ones that are responsible for their success and will suffer
the consequences for their actions.
Demand more
from our educational system. No matter
how much it hurts the feelings of the student 2+2 is never 5.
Demand
common sense from our government at all levels.
When they screw up, we need to let them know and use our vote to
reinforce the point.
Demand more
from our media. Forget the editorials on
the front page and let's have accuracy and balance again. If they don't, stop the subscriptions and let
advertisers know that until things change you will avoid their products and
services. That will get their attention.
That is what I think.
Tell me what you think.
Bill Smith is a
former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com. He has
also published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm and
edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com
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