Sports Celebrities Need to Learn to Be Responsible, or Else
Posted on July 7, 2010 by Jacob Bunn
It seems that every time I turn on ESPN, there is another prominent sports figure who is involved in immoral dealings. You have to remember, we live in a day when one could just about film a major motion picture on his cell phone. And because of the craving for instant information, news travels quicker and nothing (with a capital ‘N’) gets by the so-called tabloids. Not only does it not get past the mass media, there is almost instantaneous reaction if it is a reaction warranted story.
Last week, Georgia Athletics Director Damon Evans was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition to the crime, there was a twenty-eight year old female in the front seat with Evans when he was pulled over. Please do not make any assumptions. Aside from the fact that lingerie was found in Evans’ possession, it was just a nice midnight ride with a woman (not his wife) who is more than ten years younger than he. It was just an extraordinary coincidence.
Almost immediately, local media entities in Georgia began reporting the news of Evans’ arrest. By the next morning, some fans were already calling for the dismissal of Damon Evans as Georgia’s A.D. Those fans would get their wish. Sunday, it was reported that Georgia president, Michael Adams, asked for and received a resignation from Damon Evans. His worst fears were realized. It shows that in this day and time someone’s career can be over, literally, in a split-second.
Is there more immoral activity today than there used to be? No. There is, however, more knowledge of unethical behavior than there was in past times. Let me send this message loud and clear: If you are a person with a position of high public profile, you must act responsibly, or you will not be long-tenured. The days of making deals with police officers, giving the press only the information you want them to have, and hitting every bar on the strip without being taped by a surveillance camera the entire time are, in a word, over.
Whether you are Tiger Woods, the best golfer on the planet, or Damon Evans, the athletics director at the University of Georgia, you will be held accountable for your actions. Both of the aforementioned personalities had their personal struggles on display for millions to observe. The list of celebrities, just in the sports arena, who thought they could get away with unscrupulous activity, is a lengthy one.
Ordinary people make similar mistakes every single day. The difference is that the amount of interest is not as great as it is if a widely known person stumbles.
It is easy to utter the old cliché "When will they ever learn?" But, what a valid question it is. The microscope is much bigger today than it used to be. It is hard to tell if the fact that the media is ever-present will deter celebrities from making major mistakes. It should, though, because the cameras are not going anywhere.
Contact Jacob Bunn at Jacob@bunnsports.com
