As someone who has witnessed the idolatry off and on that pro football players receive in multiple aspects of their life when they are off the field from fans and non-viewers, the kind of issues happening this past week should not be surprising. These men are extremely talented. Even the men who are viewed as smaller than the rest are incredibly strong. They are in an extremely competitive business and are compensated quite well for all of their talent and strength. But they are as we are. They are not to be idolized if you are not a child, and quite honestly, even then. Respect and be a fan of their amazing talent of course if you choose and it moves you, but idolizing them or perceiving them as role models is quite risky as thousands of NFL fans are experiencing this past week. They are unique in their chosen profession, but that uniqueness does not prevent them from human error, anger and aggression at times. Each of us need a regulator to control our impulses. Most of us have that naturally imposed because of what society expects of us and the limitations of what our financial and social status is. That doesnt happen in my experience with NFL players of any popularity. Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson are not viewed as big in terms of NFL players, but they are ridiculously strong, as all NFL players must to to compete. These two players used that incredible strength to knock out a woman and whip a 4 year old with a switch while stuffing the 4 year olds mouth with leaves during the whooping. Big strong men hitting a weaker woman and a child. That is what happened. There is no getting around that and a price must be paid and most assuredly will be. But will it be the NFL or the fans who lay down the law? If your entire life off the field, you are treated as some kind of hero/idol/superman who is beyond reproach and never are expected or asked to live your life with the same limitations and expectations the rest of us have, these are the kind of issues that can happen as they did this past week. It requires a tremendous amount of inner strength to see past the momentary status of your famous life as an NFL player and have the integrity to view it as what it really is. It takes integrity and inner strength to limit your options and decisions about personal and professional situations when everyone around you will most likely allow you damn near anything just to say they spoke to you or even be in the same room with you so they could t Enjoy the game. Respect the talent. But every NFL player is no better than any of us. They have the same faults, demons and the same ability to display compassion or inflict pain upon those they love. Idolization is not required to enjoy this game. We do so at our own peril.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 18:25:11 +0000
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