What should be done about morality in sports? Does it even matter? Should it affect the way fans and reporters view professional athletes, coaches and organizations? And if it doesn’t, then what kind of observers are we? Too many times recently analysts have concluded that we are not to hate the players, but the organizations that makes immorality possible. That can’t possibly be right, though, can it?
Most recently it was Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio who uttered the infamous phrase, “don’t hate the player, hate the game.” He quickly referenced multimillion dollar companies who find tax loopholes to avoid charges. Cowherd says it’s not their fault, but the fault of the IRS for making loopholes possible. So blame the system that allows for immorality? Seems like a shaky way of going about things.
Note: Cowherd was talking about Bobby Knights discontent for Jim Calipari and his questionable recruiting tactics. Of course nothing is immoral (at least that we know) about the way Calipari does business. But the argument from Cowherd was that “if the school allows it than it’s not his fault.” What? If the institution says yes than just roll with it with no blame and no accountability?
Almost immediately a few examples of system based immorality come to mind. Bill Belichick and Spygate, an atrocity I wrote a college paper on, Bobby Knight and his recruiting beef with Jim Calipari, and the bounty program in New Orleans.
Too many times the reaction from the masses is to defend the athletes, coaches, and leaders in these organizations and blame the system for making wrongdoing a possibility. But what about this proposition: Regardless of the system, humans will find a way to do wrong and gain an advantage. There is no such thing as a system so air tight it will not allow for foul play, greed, and bastardization.
That is not to say that everyone who plays, coaches or manages sports is a villain. That’s just not fair. But to be ultimately OK with rule breaking and advantage taking on the basis of a broken system is a cowards path. One cannot help but see the irreconcilable truth that what has been happening in New Orleans (and likely elsewhere) is an abomination of not only the game of football, but humanity. Arguing over the whether it is right or wrong is child’s play. Weighing the severity of the crime is for the birds. The bottom line is that a group of professional athletes, who shop themselves to the public as the older brothers of the youth of America do the wrong thing a lot of the time.
That’s the point. Humans cannot help but do wrong, so pointing fingers and blowing it all up is counterproductive. How about establishing some accountability in the league? How about the fact that perhaps it wasn’t punishment enough to suspend Sean Payton for a year. Maybe each and every one of those players should be held accountable for acting foolishly. Maybe Sean Payton should be banned from the league forever for his crimes. That’s not my personal belief, by the way, but it sure is worth thinking about instead of immediately going to his defense and the defense of the players. Was there not one player on that team who had the stones to step up and say “this is wrong!”?
Look, I’m certainly not the morality tsar. Lord knows if I was exposed for even a 10th of the wrong I’ve done I would be held in contempt by everybody on the planet. But if we are going to excuse athletes, defend coaches, and side with organizations because the system is flawed, maybe we need a new system–a system of accountability and no tolerance action. We’re not talking about social victims here. We’re talking about guys getting paid millions of dollars to work out and play a game. The world, in my humble opinion, depends on these sports. We thrive on them. Imagine a world with no sports. What would we do between 5 and midnight every night? What would we talk about at work the next morning? It would be hell on earth if sports didn’t exist. So why not uphold integrity in what might be the most important form of entertainment we have left? Certainly integrity and accountability won’t be found in Hollywood. On a whim we scoff and chuckle at divorce, infidelity and drug use.
But sports are different. At least they are supposed to be. Athletes are the idols of young ones. They are the positive influence. They are the anti-drug, and they show kids how to stay off the streets and stay in a gym. That’s the message when it comes to things like NBA Cares and Big Brother programs that so many athletes are involved in.
Why, then should young kids have to look up to guys who are trying to kill other guys for a living, literally trying to break guys’ necks for cash? And why when that comes forward are analysts and fans outraged at the severity of a punishment?
The reason is simple. Analysts don’t want to lose sports, and losing a coach like Sean Payton for a year means losing the New Orleans Saints for a year which means diminishing the quality of the NFL for a year. That’s what it all goes back to, and there are really no two ways about it. When you do wrong, even if the system allows it, you should be held accountable. If you don’t wish to be held accountable for wrongdoing, then include that sentiment in your campaign to the children who look up to you. No more foolishness in professional sports. Let’s make it a better thing to look up to.
Trap the Corners 
