2008 Woodie Awards
Is press about athletes only bad news?
It seems that athletes are only recieving press for bad decisions
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
"Extra, extra read all about it!!" It seems like student athletes have been getting much more press coverage than usual these days, just this weekend, there were breaking news stories about a sophomore volleyball player at Mercyhurst College who has been charged with killing her newborn baby, as well as a Tulane University football player who was accused of multiple stabbings outside a bar.
Teri Rhodes hid her pregnancy for the entire 9 months. She gave birth two days after being cleared by the team physician as physically fit to play. This unfortunate college sophomore made a terrible mistake. Getting pregnant at a young age can seem an overwhelming dilemma, but there are people and places to turn to for help. Why Rhodes did not do that is unbelievable. Instead of seeking help, she took the life of her child and may have destroyed her own as well. She has been arrested, but that may mean she is now receiving special care she will need to deal with the psychological damage she's inflicted on herself.
Meanwhile, down in Louisiana, a Tulane University football star was arrested for stabbing five people outside of a bar. He claims that he was acting in self defense and has already given a public apology to the people he injured, but those seem like empty words to me. He has been suspended from the team as well as the school until further notice, but these days, "further notice" usually means until the next big game. Why are these student athletes receiving this kind of special attention?
Also in the news recently, there were two student athletes who were arrested for beating up another student. These two women are members of the basketball and volleyball teams at Baylor. They were arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury. Statements about the disciplinary action being taken with these two have not yet been released. A school official said that all disciplinary actions are taken by the coaches.
Why are student athletes receiving so much of this kind of special attention? News is what we make it, and personally I am sick of only hearing about the bad news that's out there. Everyone makes mistakes, and yes, because athletes are in the spotlight more often than others, our mistakes tend to be broadcasted more often. There is a whole other side to sports though and that is family. When one teammate is hurt or sick or sad, there is always a group of people who are ready and willing to help out and take care of them.
Teri Rhodes hid her pregnancy for the entire 9 months. She gave birth two days after being cleared by the team physician as physically fit to play. This unfortunate college sophomore made a terrible mistake. Getting pregnant at a young age can seem an overwhelming dilemma, but there are people and places to turn to for help. Why Rhodes did not do that is unbelievable. Instead of seeking help, she took the life of her child and may have destroyed her own as well. She has been arrested, but that may mean she is now receiving special care she will need to deal with the psychological damage she's inflicted on herself.
Meanwhile, down in Louisiana, a Tulane University football star was arrested for stabbing five people outside of a bar. He claims that he was acting in self defense and has already given a public apology to the people he injured, but those seem like empty words to me. He has been suspended from the team as well as the school until further notice, but these days, "further notice" usually means until the next big game. Why are these student athletes receiving this kind of special attention?
Also in the news recently, there were two student athletes who were arrested for beating up another student. These two women are members of the basketball and volleyball teams at Baylor. They were arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury. Statements about the disciplinary action being taken with these two have not yet been released. A school official said that all disciplinary actions are taken by the coaches.
Why are student athletes receiving so much of this kind of special attention? News is what we make it, and personally I am sick of only hearing about the bad news that's out there. Everyone makes mistakes, and yes, because athletes are in the spotlight more often than others, our mistakes tend to be broadcasted more often. There is a whole other side to sports though and that is family. When one teammate is hurt or sick or sad, there is always a group of people who are ready and willing to help out and take care of them.
Be the first to comment on this story