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Poor Sports: How to Talk About Fallen Role Models

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July 31, 2008 by Kathy McManus

 Last year was a terrible time for pro sports, when names like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Marion Jones and Michael Vick became associated with words like compromise, cheating, hypocrisy and shame.

When role models fall in the field of sports, what do you tell the kids?

The story of Josh Hamilton, says a chorus of sports reporters. “Maybe you’ve heard it before,” wrote one. “Some stories are worth hearing again.”

Hamilton is the comeback story of the year, a baseball center fielder for the Texas Rangers who hit an amazing 28 home runs in the first round of the recent Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. But more amazing is the fact that Hamilton had previously been banned from baseball because he was addicted to crack cocaine.

For three years, Hamilton fed his habit and starved his career. Then one day he showed up at his grandmother’s door and experienced the kind of epiphany that fans love. “He saw something in her eyes that made him choose life over drugs and alcohol,” said a reporter. “Baseball is a game of second chances.” And eight attempts at rehab, in Hamilton’s case.

But it was Hamilton’s love of baseball that ultimately saved him, the crack of a bat stronger than crack cocaine. “Addiction is such a big thing,” Hamilton said. “Any time somebody comes up and tells me that my story has inspired them, it lets me know that’s what it’s about.”

On the night of the 28 homers, four teenagers chosen by a national children’s charity happily retrieved the balls that didn’t sail out of the park. “I think the highlight for everyone was cheering on Josh Hamilton,” said a representative of the charity, who noted that the kids were inspired by the power hitter because he overcame adversity.

Tell us what you think: Does every fallen sports hero deserve a second chance? Who does? Who doesn’t?

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• July 31, 2008 by Dave Washburn

  Everyone deserves a second chance. Josh Hamilton is a remarkable inspiration. I find it interesting, however, that this article has decided to leave out the fact that Josh attributes the path his life has taken to God. That aside, let me get back to the point about chances. Josh Hamilton got a 2nd chance because he made changes - BIG changes to his life. He still doesn't go out by himself. He doesn't carry unnecessary cash on him. These changes among others help keep him from falling prey again to his addictions. I would hate to hear anyone lump this young man into the same grouping as Barry Bonds. I've never been a Bonds fan, and became a Bonds "hater" as he cake-walked his way into the record books thanks to his amazing talent (talent being the ability to dope and get away with it). Save me the lecture on proof. Bonds, IMHO, became a "legend" because he subverted the essence of sport - fair competition. Did Hamilton do that? NO! His vices subverted his life. He's since worked at building it back up and should be applauded. Bonds continues to deny if/when he addresses the situation at all. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't understand why Bonds is mentioned here. Why does he need a second chance? His first was never squelched. He broke Aaron's home run record and made his millions.

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• August 2, 2008 by Purelabor

  I think that any national sports figure needs to hold to a higher standard. Second chances are like telling our kids "do whatever you want and then say sorry." When you are in the public eye you need to be better. I think it should fall back to college days. Kick the players that drink or do drugs off the college teams. The next generation will see that they are being held accountable. I get sick and tired of seeing sports figures that are caught with drugs yet, nothing happens to them. They might get fined by the team, but, how often are they turned over to the police? NEVER

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