Powerful Sports Bad Boys

[Roundball Shaman]

Millions of football fans around the world don’t care much for the New England Patriots. They have been called smug, aloof, and even cheaters. Now there’s another reason not to like them.
Owner Robert Kraft has just been charged with soliciting prostitution. Reportedly, he is seen on video engaging in certain... acts.

A family member of the Chicago Cubs has recently apologized for making racially insensitive remarks. Various sports organizations in recent years have had to restructure and apologize for certain workplace harassment and other issues.

There has also been a sad procession of athletes in recent years who have been charged with various unsavory acts of conduct.

People are not perfect. Athletes and owners have always been subject to human frailties. Sports has never been totally innocent. But something is still wrong here.

In a media age when most everything is put or seen on-line, our behavior has never been more under a microscope. Very public people like owners and players are even more exposed to scrutiny. Do they ever stop to think about this, or do they just do whatever they want?

We know that we don’t live in a Leave It To Beaver world where authority figures live virtuous lives. But athletes used to live with an awareness that many kids looked up to them. And owners know they are supposed to lead by example.

Today, it’s all about developing Brands and giving attitude and snark and shade and whatever else they feel like. And treating others simply as an extention of themselves.

A little bit of Leave It to Beaver today would be refreshing.

 

[teachercd]

Millions of football fans around the world don’t care much for the New England Patriots. They have been called smug, aloof, and even cheaters. Now there’s another reason not to like them.
Owner Robert Kraft has just been charged with soliciting prostitution. Reportedly, he is seen on video engaging in certain... acts.

A family member of the Chicago Cubs has recently apologized for making racially insensitive remarks. Various sports organizations in recent years have had to restructure and apologize for certain workplace harassment and other issues.

There has also been a sad procession of athletes in recent years who have been charged with various unsavory acts of conduct.

People are not perfect. Athletes and owners have always been subject to human frailties. Sports has never been totally innocent. But something is still wrong here.

In a media age when most everything is put or seen on-line, our behavior has never been more under a microscope. Very public people like owners and players are even more exposed to scrutiny. Do they ever stop to think about this, or do they just do whatever they want?

We know that we don’t live in a Leave It To Beaver world where authority figures live virtuous lives. But athletes used to live with an awareness that many kids looked up to them. And owners know they are supposed to lead by example.

Today, it’s all about developing Brands and giving attitude and snark and shade and whatever else they feel like. And treating others simply as an extention of themselves.

A little bit of Leave It to Beaver today would be refreshing.

Yeah but don't forget...there were more than a few times when June Cleaver mentioned that Ward was "rather hard on the Beaver last night"...soooo

 

[knapplc]

A little bit of Leave It to Beaver today would be refreshing.

 

[Roundball Shaman]

Patriots official statement: "We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”

So the Patriots franchise officially denies their owner was pursuing any recreational events at a strip mall. But did Mr. Kraft himself deny this? The video was faked? It’s somebody else that looks just like him? Aliens made him do it? The New Patriot Way? Other excuses?

Beyond the snickering, this is just sad. But wealth and power and influence creates a bubble that these guys live in. And lots of people are around them who are facilitators for guys like this.

He’ll get a fine and suspension so the NFL gets a public relations look going. Tom Brady will declare what a nice guy Mr. Kraft is and that we all make mistakes (except for Tom himself).

NFL owners are not choir boys. In fact, many of them do not bother to even sit in the farthest back pew. They own an expensive toy and they like the acclaim and special club they are a part of.

And we are left wondering what kinds of other things are going on that will never, ever come to light or public knowledge.