Is too much exposure a bad thing?

By Lou DiPietro  |   Thursday, March 19, 2009  |  Comments( 2 )

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Does it seem to you that the NFL has a lot of criminal activity going on among its employees lately? I would imagine so; after all, every time you turn around, there’s another story of some wayward football player doing something he should know better than to do.

Last week, it was Matt Jones getting arrested because of a plea bargain violation, and punishment was swift -- he went to jail and the Jacksonville Jaguars released him a couple days later. This week, it’s Cleveland Browns receiver Donte' Stallworth -- who struck and killed a pedestrian in Miami Beach on Saturday morning. As per procedure, the Miami Beach police took a blood sample from Stallworth, and if it reveals that he was over the legal limit of intoxication, he’ll most likely be charged with DUI and some degree of vehicular manslaughter.

So, if that hypothetical situation comes to fruition -- Stallworth denies that he was under the influence, but he admits drinking the previous evening; thus, it’s possible something will register -- that will make a pair of strip club shootings, an illegal dogfighting ring, a concealed weapons charge, a cocaine possession scandal and a DUI/vehicular homicide that have been recorded under Roger Goodell’s watch in the last couple years.

Seems like the NFL is becoming a league of criminals, doesn’t it? Maybe. But really, is this any different than the rest of the world?

Now, let me make one thing perfectly clear about the above statement: In no way am I at all condoning anything that Pacman Jones, Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, Jones or Stallworth have done. But let’s be realistic for a moment.

At any given time, the NFL has probably 2,000 or so players within its “active” ranks; basic math says 32 teams times 53 roster spots is 1,696 players, and when you add in injured reserve, practice squads and the like, the number goes up significantly.

Do you even know 2,000 people? Even as a college-educated member of the media from a fairly large hometown, I couldn‘t name 2,000 people I‘ve come across with any ease. Heck, I only have 435 Facebook friends (not counting the poor 10 I sacrificed for a Whopper way back when), and unless you‘re an athlete or Tila Tequila, chances are you’re struggling to reach the few hundreds yourself.

But in that certain number of people you know, it’s a safe bet that you know someone who has gotten a DUI. A quick check of public records in my hometown shows the local police department has handed out nearly 100 of them this year already. And while it may not be cocaine, chances are you know someone who has been caught with drugs -- whether it be your next-door neighbor, a sketchy kid you knew in high school or maybe even someone you work with who had a less-than-judicious moment in college.

The point to all this? It’s not the epidemic some sports outlets would lead you to believe. People break the law every day; technically, anyone who has ever done 65 on the highway is breaking the law, making 100 percent of the whack jobs on I-95 at any given time serial recidivists.

But because people know Stallworth, Jones, Pacman et al and not Steve from accounting who had one drink too many, Timmy from down the hall who left his bong out during RA inspections or the drunk pervert who got a little too close to Cinnamon at the Gold Club one night and took on five bouncers, well, it’s apparently an epidemic.

Maybe. Sure, athletes and celebrities are supposed to be role models. But then again, aren’t we all? For every Stallworth who gets a DUI, there are 500 people around the country who do it every day. Those people are current or future mothers and fathers, teachers, coaches or holders of other positions that people look up to.

If it’s just the five I’ve mentioned out of 2,000 who sully the NFL’s name with their illicit activities, well, that’s probably still a better percentage of criminals than any work force in America.

But you know who has the real problem in all this?

Roger Goodell.

After all, look at his track record. Pacman got a year-plus banishment for his strip club indiscretions. Dozens have been suspended one to four games for various violations of the league’s substance abuse policy. Vick is still suspended, and it will have been a good two years-plus by the time he comes back.

So what is going to happen to Stallworth if the cops find out he was legally drunk and killed someone? Anything Goodell does to him short of lifetime banishment is going to be “too light” based on past precedent -- but anything in that realm will be “taking away his right to employment.”

Sometimes being the bad cop isn’t always cracking skulls a la Dick Vernon in "The Breakfast Club." But because this skull cracker is a public figure, whatever he does won’t be good enough.

You know what will? Anyone who should have influence over the life of a young fan of Jones, Stallworth et al, because they can say “See, don’t drink and drive/do drugs/shoot up a strip club, or you‘ll end up like your hero.”

Sometimes it makes me wish I chose a profession no one cared about.

*It’s draft season here at RF365.com. Starting next week, I’ll be back biweekly to break down team needs on a division-by-division basis. Also, look for a mock draft within the week and much, much more.
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About Lou DiPietro

Lou DiPietro is an accomplished freelance writer who is fascinated with all things sports. In addition to his duties at RealFootball365.com, Lou contributes to TheBleacherReport.com and Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, and has been featured on "The Sports Buffet with Matt West" on 1080-AM ESPN...
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