Why?

This Trend Has to Stop




One of only things that really grinds my gears is (not really sure why I said that...probably the first time I've ever used that expression) athletes that have all the talent in the world that either 1. waste it or 2. abuse it and risk losing everything over a dumb life decision. It seems almost every year you see a major college football player arrested and/or kicked off the team due to violence, drugs, guns, etc. These guys have bright futures but risk all of that over nothing. It blows my mind. Then there are guys that sit around being lazy when they have all the potential in the world. There is a certain player I had the chance of meeting and knowing personally that had all the talent in the world but couldn't stay focused and out of trouble and now football is far in his past and he has wasted his God given talent to one day be a superstar on the football field. Its a problem in almost every level of sports now. NFL players get arrested for DUI, drugs, etc all the time and they are the role models for the upcoming star players and are leading by poor example. Everyone makes mistakes, I get that, but these guys just make flat out STUPID decisions that just blow my mind. If you are a multi-million dollar football player or sports star, why would you ever put yourself in the position to get a DUI? You have many people that would drive you come, call a cab, call a friend, heck, you could find a random person driving down the street that would probably give you a ride. For example, as much as I dislike Lebron James or Tom Brady if I were at a party and they came up to me asking me for a ride, I would have them in my car and buckled up on our way so fast it'd make their head spin. Why risk your career over something that can be so easily avoided. You have too much to lose. Don't do it!


 NFL players need to step it up and stop being a poor influence for younger guys who follow the same route. The commissioner needs to also step it up and enforce stricter punishments. In my opinion a DUI or traffic stop or something of the sort that leads to a drug or gun related arrest should call for a season-long suspension in the NFL (without pay). I understand that is steep but this needs to and HAS to stop. A slap on the wrist and a $5000 fine isn't gonna stop these guys from making these dumb choices so the penalty has to outweigh the benefits of these actions and decisions.

This off-season we have already seen Sammy Watkins of Clemson, Greg Reid of Florida State and Isaiah Crowell of UGA arrested and booked on a drug or gun related charge, with Crowell already being dismissed from the team and university. Michael Dyer, formerly of Auburn, ran into some trouble and admitted to smoking synthetic marijuana during the season which was a factor in his dismissal from Auburn. He now plays at Arkansas St. For now, Watkins' punishment hasn't been decided/made public though we expect him to remain with the team. Reid's news is new so we will have to watch and see what his punishment will be. Bottom line is, these guys are grown men and they know better. As star athletes you are held to a higher standard and can't go out and do what everyone does. You have way too much to lose. Not saying you can't go out and party and have a good time, but for heavens sake. BE SMART. Think about what you are doing before you do it. Losing your scholarship and chance to play at the next level and earn your degree should not be put on the back burner because you were to busy wanting to get high in your friends apartment or drive around with a AK 47 in the back seat.

I'm gonna just stop with the ranting here but I think you get my drift. We have to start being more serious about these arrest and their penalties thereafter so hopefully it will stop and these gentlemen can graduate and continue to showcase their talent for years to come and not have to be a resident in cell block-C.










On a brighter note



Yesterday I made the trip down to Atlanta to catch a Braves game. It had been years since I had been to one so it was really nice to come back and see the Bravos in action again. We had tickets to watch from Delta's 755 club so we enjoyed lunch from the balcony overlooking the field before heading to our actual seats. It was a nice and fun experience and I look forward to making the trip back to Braves games more often in the future. I appreciate the games more now that I'm older. Yesterday was a great day for baseball and though it was very warm, I enjoyed it because the forecast had called for showers throughout the afternoon but they held off until later that night when we were headed home. It was a great game of baseball that went back and forth with the Braves pulling it out with a 3 run-rally in the bottom of the 8th and held off the Mets in the top of the 9th to win 8-7. Really glad I got to see Ole Chipper Jones in action one last time. The Braves went on to knock off the Mets Sunday afternoon as well to complete the sweep and extend the winning streak to 7 games straight. The highlight of the day was meeting former Brave Otis Nixon. Things didn't work out so I missed out on getting a picture with him but it was great meeting him. For those that don't know, Nixon played with the braves from 91-93 and 1999. He shares the single game MBL record for stolen bases in a game with 6 on June 16, 1991. Nixon battled drugs throughout his career but overcame it and now in his post-baseball life has started On-Track Ministries and is working towards a Masters Degree in Divinity.