LeBron James comes Home: Why the Return?

Polarizing NBA superstar LeBron James is the epitome of the prodigal son after he returned to the Cavaliers after abandoning Cleveland for Miami for four years. Here's a great interview on why he decided to come home.

College Football Playoff: Sports are the Ultimate Reality TV

Cardale Jones is a football player who hasn't always been in the news for the correct reasons. As a third string quarterback at Ohio State University Jones tweeted:

Jones became the poster boy for what not to do as a professional athlete when it comes to social media and gave us all a good laugh. However everything change for Jones when OSU took on Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. The Buckeyes, who already had a highly successful season after losing their starting quarterback Braxton Miller in the preseason, where defeating the Michigan Wolverines when their second string quarterback TJ Barrett broke his leg. The injury to Barrett was seemingly the nail in the coffin to many when it came to the Buckeyes' chance at making the College Football Playoff and playing for a National Championship. However has it always seems to happen, sports provided the ultimate medium for reality TV. Jones stepped into the game and didn't just play okay or well, but helped in the ushering of a 59-0 dismantling of Wisconsin, the 13th ranked team in the nation. Jones went from the butt of a joke to the MVP of the Big Ten Championship and vaulted OSU into the College Football Playoff jumping Big Twelve Conference powerhouses Baylor and TCU. It's the ultimate redemption story and sets up for quite the dynamic as the inaugural College Football Playoff gets underway this year.

Professional Athletes acting as Advocates: Can Athletes raise awareness for current issues in the Media?

Two recent interactions between African American citizens and police officers have raised eyebrows, to say the least, in recent months. Mike Brown and Eric Garner were both victims of police brutality recently that subsequently costed both of them their lives. Outrage in these men's communities have led to a review of conduct of law enforcement, as well as some public support from local professional athletes.

In the aftermath of Ferguson, MO multiple members of the St. Louis Rams paid tribute to Mike Brown when they were introduced into the game. The players walked out of the tunnel with their hands up, trying to raise awareness to the situation that costed Brown his life. The "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" raised questions to conduct of the police officer involved in Brown's death and also raised questions about if these athletes should be fined for their actions.

Professional basketball players like LeBron James and Derrick Rose recently dawned t-shirts that read "I can't breathe" during warm-ups in their NBA games. The idea behind the shirts is about raising awareness about Eric Garner who died in July after he was put in a headlock by a police officer. A video of the event show Garner in the headlock and you can clearly hear him saying to the officer, "I can't breath" to the officer.

The question is how well do these displays of activism effect the community and the viewers of these events? The answer will be determined in the future I suppose.

Professional Athletes Connecting with Fans that Need Them: When Athletes actually become Heroes

Recently sports media have been flooded with news of everything that's wrong with sports and professional athletes. In a world of negativity a few worthwhile stories have begun to take center stage and shine a positive light on the impact professional athletes can have.

John Wall, starting point guard for the Washington Wizards, recently cried in a post game interview after playing a game for a friend of his Mayah. She was a six year old that that Wall had connected to during the season who eventually passed away after a fight against cancer.

Travis Hamonic, a defensive-man for the New York Islanders, is putting aside the idea that hockey players don't have soft side. Hamonic meets with young fans after every game, win or lose, that have had a death of a parent effect their lives. Hamonic witnessed the death of his own father when he was ten years old and has a desire to help young people have a positive connection and understand how to better deal with death of such an important person in one's life.

Athletes have a unique ability to connect with fans who suffer from physical, mental or emotional pain.To avid sports fans a favorite team or players isn't just a logo or a jersey, they are a part of life. These are just a few of the professional athletes that are making positive impacts with their fans. A big tip of the cap to these heroes. 

Check out this link for the story of how an Auburn Wide Receiver made a difference in the life of a girl with leukemia. 

Social Media and Professional and Amateur Athletes: Is it a positive or a negative?

Pittsburgh Steeler safety Mike Mitchell didn't mince words with fans recently in a Twitter rant after the fan said he was the worst free agent signing in team history. Mitchell understandably didn't agree with the criticism and had a few choice words that culminated with Mitchell telling the fan to "kill himself." I'm not the PR director for the Steelers, but I'd have to say that whoever that is couldn't be happy with Mitchell's course of action in the situation as it's sure to cause quite a mess.

Mike Mitchell's comments are just another case of a professional or amateur athlete taking to social media with a lack of control and posting inappropriate content. Whether it's Mitchell, or Brandon Marshall of the Chicago Bears offering a Detroit Lions fan $25,000 to go the rounds with him or Stevie Johnson formally of the Buffalo Bills cussing out the Almighty after Johnson dropped a game winning catch the negative publicity seems to heavily outweigh the positives of social media when it comes to connecting fans to their favorite players.

Social Media has transcended how players interact with the public nowadays. There is no filter. There aren't team officials saying, "He isn't available for comment," well maybe there still are but then the players are just going to Twitter and commenting there. There also isn't any filters when it comes to content. Players, whether good or bad, can say literally whatever they want. For instance former Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall had some comments that caused a lot of controversy when Osama Bin Laden was killed. In a time of national pride Mendenhall tweeted angrily wondering why anyone could celebrate death in the manner that Americans were. An idea, which honestly carries some validity to it, but no the less the public viewed Mendenhall's comments as unpatriotic and as a representative of arguably "America's sport" that was no way to think.

So essentially social media is a lose-lose situation, at least the way I described it. Well it isn't all bad for the athletes as long as they keep control of the content they are created or curating. A great example in my opinion is LeBron James. The newly returned King of Cleveland and his new merry band of followers aren't off to the start that most Ohioans had hoped for when their prodigal son came home and they shipped the number one overall picks from the last two drafts for Kevin Love to form the new "Big Three" in basketball. I don't know if fans were calling for heads, but they were close. The King took to twitter to put a friendly reminder in all of his subjects' ears. His message was simple, everyone relax and it'll all be fine. Time will tell if the Cleveland crazies do as their King asks, but at least they are getting positive feedback from their superstar.

Whether it is healthy updates about the team, a friendly message or a retweet from your favorite player or a picture from the life of American sports royalty the chance to connect with these athletes that we as a population have anointed as Gods is very appealing. So when it's done in the correct manner social media can not only be fun, but a great way to connect athletes and fans together.

Soccer: The Rise of an "Obscure" Sport

America was founded on three principles: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, principles that have defined our country for generations and impacted how citizens act and pursue their dreams. The US was also found on three other significant things: football, baseball and basketball. These three sports have largely defined sport in America. Baseball that has been deemed “America’s pastime”, football and everything that goes with it (fantasy, Madden, etc.) and basketball has controlled media and attention in the US. The heroes of nation were the likes of Joe Montana, MagicJohnson, Larry Bird and Babe Ruth and events like the World Series, Super Bowl and the NBA Finals were the ultimate events in the sporting world. That’s what it meant to be an American sports fan; you loved football, baseball and basketball.

There have always been some understudies in the US sporting world like hockey or soccer, but those understudies have begun to steal some of the spotlight from the big three. Some obscure sports, for the US anyway, like soccer and rugby have begun to make a presence in the American culture. The World Cup has taken the nation by storm as fans of the United States don't just root for their national team, but make alliances with world players like Brazil, Spain and World Cup Champion Germany. Professional soccer in America, though not as strong as the leagues in Europe or South America, has been growing in popularity and competition over the last several years. Major League Soccer was established in 1993 and had ten teams. Now, 21 years later, MLS sports 20 teams in both the US and Canada. Despite being consider a lower competition league, MLS has been able to lure big names like David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey to play in the Northern American based league.

Why is soccer becoming more and more popular in the US? No doubt the concussion crisis related to football at both in amateur and professional levels has made parents more interested in having their children playing a sport that has less contact, but is there more to the story than that? High schools are communities are offering more options for soccer across the country. When I graduated high school there weren't any soccer teams in the 2A classification in Utah. Not, even three years later most 2A schools have soccer teams and the level of competition is really great. The opportunities are more numerous and therefore there are more participants. Now, instead of Derek Jeter or Peyton Manning being the only sports icon and sports "heroes", youngsters dream about being Tim Howard, Christiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

Soccer being more available isn't the only factor in the sports rise in America. The international factor brings in an element of patriotism, even if the US isn't winning the world cup. You also have to consider the state of profession and amateur sports in the US. On both the collegiate and professional level the big three sports in America are riddled with controversy, desperation and dishonesty. Poor character has led to the devaluation of athletes that once stood out as role models and now are perceived as pompous, spoiled and arrogant babies. Soccer provides a fresh take, and though soccer isn't without it's faults, it's a new aspect and option for the American sports fan.

The Passing of Oscar Taveras: How Death Effects Sports

It's Fall and that is a very important time for Major League Baseball. It's the time that America's Pastime takes center stage with the occurrence of the spectacle known as the World Series. The San Francisco Giants and the darlings of baseball, the Kansas City Royals, have played a wonderful series that has resulted in a winner-take-all game seven. It's the best that baseball gets.

Unfortunately there has been a more somber headline dealing with baseball this Fall, the tragic death of St. Louis Cardinal outfielder Oscar Taveras. In Taveras, the Cardinals lost a 22-year-old corner outfielder who was pegged to bat in the middle of their order for the next decade or so. They lost one of the games brightest futures, and potentially a perennial All-Star. They traded away former All-Star Allen Craig to the Boston Red Sox to make a permanent spot for Taveras. Most importantly though, the Cardinals and Major League Baseball lost a teammate, an associate and a friend.

In the buzz and commotion of the sports world, sometimes the "pureness" of sports is lost. We think so much of the money associated with sports or the conflict on the field then what the game means. However when we see tragedies the mindset seems to change. Think back past Taveras to any other premature or tragic death of an athlete. Whether it's Nick Adenhart getting hit by a drunk driver, relief pitchers Darryl Kile or Josh Hancock, or shooting guard Drazen Petrovic death can quickly put in perspective what really matters. Death can be a reminder that when all is said and done professional sports are just a game.

Death isn't the only tragic issue that can have an effect on sport. Take a look at Jim Kelly, the Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the Buffalo Bills. in 2013 Kelly was diagnosed with cancer in his jaw. Probably the most famous Bill, the though of losing the man who led the team to four consecutive Super Bowls galvanized not only a single fan base, but the entire NFL to support this living legend. There wasn't a sports show that didn't update the status of Kelly until he was pronounce cancer free. It is my opinion that feeling of family that many fans felt supporting not only Kelly, but the death of long-time owner Ralph Wilson ensured that the Bills would always circle the wagon in Buffalo.

So why does tragedy bond players, coaches and teams together? Is it because as a group they all overcome something together? A great example of that is what the Saints meant to New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. I think the biggest thing, is it gives everyone a perspective that we all know, but tend to forget. The perspective that life is above all the most precious thing on the planet.

I'd like to back my point up with the story of a young man that played football at a rival high school. The team was fairly mediocre, they had never been champions and usually had season that ended up in .500 records and missing the playoffs. Every once in a blue moon however they put a team on the field that gave the community hope. A team that had made the playoffs the year before returned most of their starters including a running back and fullback who anchor the teams triple option offense. However before the season began the starting fullback was diagnosed with cancer. It was a overwhelming shock to the begin of the season and a significant loss to an important part of the offense. The team played with heavy hearts, as could be expected, and made it into the playoffs. It's then the fullback returned to the team, not as a player but as the missing motivation the team needed. To see their teammate back in the locker room he belonged in gave the team an added measure of fire as they made a great run through the tournament and were able to bring home the State Championship to a community in need of some good news.

At the end of the day sports dominate the media and minds of those who follower sports for the wrong reason, but every once and awhile tragedy calls us all to remember what is most important and why we fell in love with the game in the first place. Just like Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura showed in game six of the World Series when he paid tribute by tipping his cap to his lost friend Oscar Taveras.

Professional Athletes Apologizing: Crisis Communication

Recently Ted Bishop, the president of the PGA tour, was fired due to a sexist Tweet and Facebook post directed towards Ian Poulter about comments that were made in Poutler's book about the Ryder Cup. Bishop was fired and hasn't apologized, but the question is will he?

Crisis Communication in sports isn't a new thing. Whether it's Tiger Woods trying to revamp his image after committing adultery with several women, Riley Cooper trying to explain his racist comments at a concert, or Greg Oden trying to explain why multiple nude and semi-nude photos ended up the internet crisis communication and the sporting world go together like Rasheed Wallace and technical fouls. It's eventually going to happen.

Ted Bishop hasn't apologized, yet, but why is apologizing the first thing athletes, coaches and commentators do following a crisis that gets public? It it because they feel so bad about what they have done? Doubtful. Is it because they feel a moral obligation to be good role models for little kids that grow up wanting to be just like their sporting heroes? That idea is about as comical as it is wrong. Then why do the apologizes following questionable actions flow like the waters of Lake Minatonka? Like the professor of my sports communication class explained, it's all about the brand and it's all about the money.

It's hard for me to believe that Mike Tyson was actually sorry after he bit off Evander Holyfield's ear, but he still apologized. Do I think the likes of Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez or Ryan Braun felt remorse that they cheated baseball or were they just screwed because the truth just caught up with them. Is it even fathomable that Latrell Sprewell honestly felt bad about choking then coach P.J. Carlesimo after the two got in an argument during an NBA practice? The biggest reason for apology wasn't because Tyson reflected on his actions and said, "gee wiz I probably shouldn't have bitten off Evander's ear that was wrong." No, Tyson wanted another fight and he didn't want to miss out on endorsements possibilities. McGwire and company all wanted to be apart of the Major Leagues again, whether actively or in the Hall of Fame, that's why they said "sorry." I'm not sure about Sprewell, the man who turned down $21 million because "he couldn't feed his family on that salary," might have honestly felt bad. He was crazy enough.

In all reality if any of these people didn't face future loss of monetary or other value none of them would have apologized. Why would they? They are above the law, they won't face punishment and they know it. They just don't want to lose money. Most of the time it isn't even the people who are apologizing's apology. It's some lawyer's or PR specialist's apology that the athlete or coach just reading word for word because that's how it's done.

So what do these "apologies" buy the guilty parties? Second chances in the case of Michael Vick. A false sense of humility it the case of Tiger Woods or Kobe Bryant. An apology from another party as is the case of Wade Boggs. The apologies are intended to protect whatever the athlete, coach or commentator want to protect. The bottom line is sorrow has nothing to do with it. The better question is it worth it? In some cases, probably so. In other cases no way. So what should Ted Bishop do? If he wants another job previous experiences say to apologize. If he were Mike Leach he wouldn't apologize. Maybe Bishop, like Leach, can stand his ground and eventually make it back. No matter what happens, I'm going to tip my cap to the person who writes Bishop's apology. That will be some damn good writing.

For some info on famous apologies click here.

College Football Autograph Scandal: Which Coach Got it Right?

Looking at this year's Heisman hopefuls they all have a few things in common: big conferences, big schools, big names and big scandals. Well maybe not all of the potential Heisman winners are riddled with controversy, but possibly the two biggest names are, "Famous" Jameis Winston and Todd Gurley. Winston (Florida State) and Gurley (Georgia) have both been linked to a company that has been selling their autographs and paying the players for it, a violation of NCAA policy. Neither player have been proven guilty, but Georgia decided to suspend Gurley, while Florida State decided to wait until an investigation to say whether Winston will face suspension or not. The question is which program and which coach made the correct call?

Gurley was the first player associated with the autograph scandal, and was suspended indefinitely by coach Mark Richt despite Georgia's decent chance to make the first College Football Playoff, or at least a high profile bowl game. The Bulldogs, a top ten ranked team, have played multiple games now without arguably the best running back in college football, and seem content to wait until a final decision is made between the University and the NCAA.

Florida State and coach Jimbo Fisher took a different route than that of Mark Richt. When Winston was linked to the same company, it seemed like another nail in the coffin for the sophomore who already missed a game due to suspension earlier in the year. Despite Winston's questionable off the field issues, Fisher decided that no action will be taken until an investigation into the incident is complete assuring that Winston said he did not receive any monetary compensation for his autographs. Fisher essentially saying that nobody knows whether Winston did anything wrong, and that he can't be punished for something he might not have done.

Two different coaches took different routes of addressing an issue that could potentially cost their teams victories and a shot at a national championship, but which was the best course? I don't honestly know. Richt seemed to take a hard ball coach approach, not letting any nonsense supersede the Bulldogs and his team. Fisher took a more understanding approach, a players coach approach if you will. Both styles can work, but time will only tell which option was the best course to take.

What do these situations and coaches' decisions tell us about college athletics? Do decisions that deal with star players getting suspended depend on the team's ability to overcome those suspensions? Georgia can definitely compensate the loss of Gurley much more effectively than Florida State can compensate Winston (as evident by Florida State nearly losing to Clemson with a back up quarterback). Did Georgia suspend Gurley because they had more information about the situation then Florida State did, and that forced Georgia's hand? Does the amount of information matter, or would the decisions regarding both players have been made the same regardless? Should this off field issue effect Gurley and Winston's chance at winning the Heisman? Former Georgia great and Heisman Trophy winner Hershel Walker thinks so, but time will only tell.

At the end of the day I can't say which decision was right, if both were the correct choice, or if both were completely inappropriate decisions. I feel for Gurley, he had arguably the best shot at the trophy, but missing multiple games will cost him. I also don't feel for Gurley. He was aware of the NCAA policy and whether he received money or not, associating oneself with the situation is very dangerous. I find it interesting that despite his history, more rigorous and harsh penalties weren't brought against Winston. His track record hasn't been great in recent history, but innocent unless proven guilty. So my point is I don't know who to tip my hat to in this post, the jury is still out.

Women Broadcasting Sports: You've Never Played the Game

I recently had a conversation with a person who is very dear to me. It was a pretty typical Saturday conversation, "how are you" or "what's new in your life", the usual banter. Then after wading through all the obligatory pleasantries the weightier conversation ensued, the exchange about college football.
Suddenly some actual excitement entered the environment as teams and games were discussed and analyzed. Talks about who the best team was and who had a realistic shot (sorry BYU) to make the inaugural College Football Playoff bounced between my acquaintance and I. Then he asked me a very simply question that changed my perception about this person. The question was, "what game are you watching?" My response, Virgina Tech and Georgia Tech, a very competitive and exciting game. The response I receive was very surprising and somewhat alarming. "Oh I watched that game for about five minutes before I had to change the channel," he said, "Doris Burke has no business calling the play-by-play for football, I couldn't stand her." A man, who as long as I had known him, had stood up for the ideal of respecting women, just discredited a women just because she hadn't played a game. The conversation didn't last much longer and I was left to ponder what was just said and implied.

Maybe he's right? That was my initial thought. Take a good hard look at the sports broadcasting world. Women have been regulated to sideline reporting or the token women host of some analytical talk show that doesn't air anywhere close to prime time. CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox do not employ any women as play-by-play commentators for their NFL broadcasts. Aside from women's sports you'd be hard pressed to find a women commentator on a major network for any sport. Maybe my acquaintance was right then, you have to play the game to be able to talk about it. That's the only experience that can qualify you to talk about a sport, participation in that sport.

Well let's take a look at a high profile commentator, Mr. Joe Buck. Joe Buck is the number one play-by-play commentator at Fox for both the NFL and the MLB. Buck has also called both the Super Bowl and World Series, as well as hosts and participates in numerous other shows where his opinions on sport carry some influence. The funny thing about Joe Buck is that he never played sports, at least not at a high level. Nevertheless, for the most part, nobody is calling for his head. His opinion isn't dismissed or questioned, even though he has never played the game. So does the argument that women can't call a game because they didn't participate in the game hold any validity? In my personal opinion no, it does not.

So what is being said when someone says, "she doesn't belong here" or when there are no women play-by-play commentators on major networks? Is it they aren't qualified to do it because they never played the game? Or is it they aren't qualified because of their gender, because they are a women in a man's world? I would lean to the latter.

So why are women discriminated in the broadcasting world? Is it because they can't do a sufficient job? Not according to Bob Ryan, a columnist for the Boston globe, who thinks Doris Burke does a hell of a job and knows what she's talking about. At the end of the day it comes down to sports fans (mostly men) aren't comfortable with a women telling them about a sport that they consider to be in their possession. The idea that a women can give the results of games in a post game show or let everyone know the hustle that's going on down on the sideline in a nice outfit is fine, but the second she tries and explains what happening during the live game she isn't good enough.  What a load of crap. Play-by-play is about communication what is happening during a game clearly and effectively, point blank. Why does it matter what genetic make-up one has as long as they can accomplish the task? That's called discrimination and it shouldn't be tolerated. If anyone male of female, black or white or whatever classification you want to associate one with has passion and communicate the action of an athletic event effectively, they should be allowed to participate. It's that simple. So to Doris Burke, a very talented and versatile commentator talent, who just happens to be a women I tip my cap to you.

If you like to learn about how women CAN be great analyst in the sports community check out this article from ESPNW.

Derek Jeter Retires: Callin' it Quits

In a sports world where it has become standard practice to talk more about what a professional athletes does off the field than on it, fans were granted a nugget of what sports actually mean when Derek Jeter played his final game at Yankee Stadium this week. It wasn't anything more than a standard performance from the captain, two for five with three RBI's and strikeout. Jeter made the defensive plays he always did, with the exception of his token web gem play. It was simply Jeter being Jeter.

Somehow though, as it always seems to happen in sports, an opportunity to make a normal game at Yankee Stadium into something historic arose from the depths. This game had no significant impact on the AL East standings and only marginal impact on the MLB playoff race, but in the bottom of the ninth inning Jeter would come to bat against the Baltimore Orioles with one out and a runner on second. This can't be real life can it? A moment every ball player dreams about from the time they are in little league, a chance to get a walk-off hit and it was coming in Jeter's last game in the Bronx. The script couldn't be better if George Steinbrenner wrote it himself.

What could be more appropriate than Derek Jeter hitting a walk-off home run? Derek Jeter going the opposite way and hitting a walk-off single that's what, and lo and behold that's what happened. Just like Jeter had done his whole career, he got the job done. It wasn't flashy or over the top, it was just the game being played the way it was suppose to be played. That was the Captain and that's what he did.

Now the point of this post isn't to simply say that Derek Jeter is great and that he's the best shortstop ever. That's only a matter of opinion, this article is bigger than that. We all will bid Derek Jeter goodbye, but who and what are we really saying goodbye to? He's a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he's more than that.

Derek Jeter stands as something that has almost become an anomaly in sports. Jeter is a player who never seemed to have the attitude that he was bigger than the game he played. In the hustle and bustle of the stories of Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, the controversy of performance enhancing drugs hanging over baseball, or Tiger Woods ruining his marriage and golfing career Jeter has always been Jeter. That's not something you see a lot these days in professional athletes. He came to play everyday, and he played his heart out. He recognized the support of his family, his friends and most importantly his fans. Jeter was hardly in a headline for anything other than baseball. He wasn't tied to a horrible scandal involving steroids like Ryan Braun or his sort of Yankee teammate Alex Rodriguez. Jeter didn't fight other players, in fact the only time I can remember Jeter ever having blood on him was after diving into the stands after a ball in the playoffs against the Boston Red Sox. Jeter wasn't involved in paternity suits or stories that questioned his fidelity or moral fiber, which is especially impressive for a man who played one of the most high profile position for a team in one of Americans biggest media market (just ask Kobe Bryant).

Jeter exuded a value that is becoming less and less common in the professional sports world, class. He was more than just talented in his profession, he was respected. Don't take my word for it, just look up all the gesture that were performed for him at opposing stadiums when he played his final games there. He was showered with gifts and tributes, a right reserve for only the games best (Cal Ripken Jr., Chipper Jones, and Mariano Rivera just to name a few). His impact reaches throughout baseball (Troy Tulowitzki, arguably the best shortstop in baseball today, wears the number two because of Derek Jeter) and even far outside of the game (a close friend of mine naming his first born son Jeter, because he respected Derek so much).

When we say goodbye to Derek Jeter we aren't just saying goodbye to the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees. We aren't just saying goodbye to a Hall of Famer. We aren't just saying goodbye to a marketing symbol. We are saying goodbye to one of the good guys. We are saying goodbye to one of the only role models left in professional sports. We are saying goodbye to an icon of what sports should be. For thank Derek Jeter, I tip my hat to you.

For more on Derek Jeter's wonderful career check out what Karl Ravech has to say

Ray Rice Suspended: Getting it Right?

It seems like it has become the new norm for professional athletes to break the rules of the game or laws of the land, whether intentionally or by accident. For whatever reason however, when it comes to paying the piper, the debt to society paid by the athlete seems to be far less severe then the actions would require. In some cases breaking the rules almost turns out better for these athletes.

For example let's take a look at Melky Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta, both Major League Baseball players. Both Cabrera and Peralta where caught using performance-enhancing substances, and received 50 game suspensions for their actions. Seems like a pretty fair punishment, right? The thing that doesn't make  a lot of sense, at least to me, is both Cabrera and Peralta (known cheaters) were reward with hefty contract the following seasons after they were exposed. Cabrera was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays for two years and $16 million, while Peralta struck gold with the St. Louis Cardinals signing a four-year $53 million dollar contract. What are the owners saying about performance enhancing drug use in baseball by signing these players to huge contracts? That the players are above the law, that's what. That's the perception of professional athletes today is that they can do whatever they want with the only punishment being a symbolic slap on the wrist, meant to appease the "Gods" of sports.

Recently a new incident became public involving NFL running back Ray Rice. The Baltimore Raven was exposed dragging his unconscious fiance out of an elevator at an Atlantic City Casino. The video of what actually occurred in the elevator was apparently never released and after an investigation by the NFL and law enforcement Rice dodged jail time and probably won't receive conviction, as well as a two game joke of a suspension for the NFL. There was a stern discussion on whether the punishment fit the crime or not.

After the dust settled a little, the video of what happened inside the elevator was released. One of the most appalling events I've ever seen flashed across the screen as Rice struck his fiancee with a closed fist right in the head. The blow caused Janay Palmer (Rice's fiancee) to be rendered unconscious and fall to the ground, whacking her head off the side of the elevator on the way. Ray Rice is lucky that he did not kill her. Following the release of this video, Rice's contract with the Baltimore Ravens was terminated and Rice received a indefinite suspension from the NFL. Finally a high-profile athlete got what he deserved, maybe not in the sense of the law, but at least in the sports world justice had been served.

I tweeted how I was proud of the Baltimore Ravens for doing the "right thing" by cutting ties with rice, but a tweet from one of my professors made me reconsider that thought. It the NFL had really conducted a "full-scale" investigation of the matter, wouldn't they have see the video of Rice accosting his fiancee? Wouldn't that be enough evidence not only to suspend Rice more than two games, but warrant legal charges be pressed against him? I also question myself. I had blindly accepted what I had heard on ESPN and read online about the incident before the second video was released as what had happened and didn't take the time to contemplate what occurred inside the elevator.

Did I or anyone else honestly think that anything but what actually occurred could have happened in that elevator? Did I honestly think for one second that Ray Rice didn't lay hands on his fiancee and the whole event was just a causal accident. Do I honestly believe that the NFL didn't have access to that video until TMZ released it? I should be ashamed of myself for letting an issue of this nature just pass on by without taking a moment to seriously consider what Ray Rice had just done.

What does this cover up say about the NFL's stance on domestic violence and women? It isn't good, that's for sure. Everyone involved (Ray Rice, the Baltimore Ravens, the NFL, etc) thought that they could get away with letting one of their superstars blatantly beating his fiance. I think the entire situation is a complete joke and I'm not the only one.

So what does all of this mean? I, the average joe, fan can complain and harp until I'm red in the face and resemble a lobster more than a person, but what will that change anything? I know that I and many people across the country were raised knowing that the behavior exhibited by Ray Rice is unacceptable, period. Does it matter that we feel that way? It definitely should.

So at the end of the day do I still think that the Baltimore Ravens or the NFL did the right thing? Absolutely not. If Ray Rice hadn't been a professional athlete his butt would be in jail attempting to punch fellow inmates in the head who wouldn't put up with his punk behavior. However, because of his "prestigious" position as a running back in the NFL he will get slapped on the wrist and eventually make his way back to football. That's not the right thing, and I don't appreciate the NFL telling me that any behavior can be excused as long as you have the money to cover up the evidence. Justice is what is right. Ray Rice should be punished to the full extent of the law.

I respect a lot of professional athletes out there and I'll tip my cap to many of them, but Ray Rice will never receive a tip of the cap from me.