T
he game America has had a
love affair with
for over 60
years has recently
been tarnished. Every
year billions of
dollars are made
by the owners of
the N.F.L. (National Football
League) and
fans are hoping
their team ends
up with the big
prize – The
Vince Lombardi
trophy which
signifies a world
championship
team. Along the way
the players become
national celebrities.
Money, athletic achievements and face recognition
make the players public
figures with cameras on
them almost as much as
they are on musicians,
actors or other public
figures. Players become
celebrities whether they
want too not.
The difference between
a celebrity and the “average” person is that
when a person gets
into trouble, unless
it’s murder or some
type of horrific crime,
it’s not publicized.
When a public figure
gets into trouble it’s
all over the world.
News media (online
and offline), social
media and general
talk among people
sensationalize
these occurrences. You will hear
some stories told
of what this or
that player did
months, sometimes even
years later.
This year it
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seems there has been more than the usual
number of allegations against players, some
with damaging video of the actions that took
place. Since the Superbowl of 2013 there
have been at least 27 players arrested. Most
of these arrests were for intoxicated driving
and drug possession. At least 3 players were
arrested for domestic violence. One player
made a bomb threat at an airport. Another
player was charged with a hit and run and
possession of brass knuckles. There have
been incidents of road rage, racial intimidation,
owner sexual harassment, players stalking
women and this is all since last year.
over the average person. Their fame brings them whatever they
want. Houses, cars, jewelry, women (or men) and anything else
they could ever desire. Some of these athletes seen to have a
Judy from down the block have a knock down drag out fight in
the middle of the street it may or may not result in an arrest. It
may be videoed (somebody who sees it will instantly grab their
phone) and put on a website, but it’s not blasted around the
world (unless Judy gave Bob some work). All in all only a few,
maybe even a few hundred people will know about Bob and
Judy. But the world will know if any NFL player gets into any
trouble.
We as a society seem to glamorize any deviant behavior and
action. Instead of reporting on the many NFL players who have
their own charities, football camps and do good things in the
community of the city they play for, the only reporting seems to
be focused on the bad or negative things these players do. A
very small minority, probably less than 2% of NFL players engage in actions or activities that are antisocial. These few players
shouldn’t ruin the reputation of a sport that has entertained and
thrilled fans for decades. Should the N.F.L. be known as the
National Felons League? I think not. But the felons should not be
a part of the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
Two NFL players were recently involved in
murders, one with a gun another with a car.
It’s sad that a few bad apples can tarnish the
since of entitlement. They feel they can do anything. They feel
their money can get them out of almost anything. When Bob and
reputation of what is essentially an American
pastime. Anyone who hasn’t heard of Ray Rice
and seen the footage of what he did to his then
fiancé in an elevator must have been without
any means of communication (no phone, TV,
newspaper or internet) or have been in a coma
for the past three months. Almost every day for
at least a week coverage of this one moment
in time was shown and told over and over and
over. People became brainwashed by all the
continuous coverage. Comparison was made
to another infamous elevator fight between two
celebrities that occurred this year.
When you’re a public figure there is no such
thing as privacy. Every move, breath even
every fart seems to have a reporter or paparazzi telling its story or snapping its picture.
When people enjoy a combination of fame
and money their life is not totally their own.
They are now a part of society as much as the
latest iPhone. Every action and movement is
scrutinized. Football players play a fast violent
game and unfortunately the violent nature of
the game sometimes carries over into their
personal lives. Trained and conditioned to be
super human specimens these men tower
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