Sitting back and watching two unbelievable stories unfold in the world of sports recently, I’ve caught myself asking the same question over and over in my head: How can this happen?
First, there was the Bobby Petrino fiasco at the University of Arkansas. More and more pieces of that story continue to “leak” out regarding his motorcycle crash and the woman riding with him. Who knows when, where or how it will end, but for now, he’s no longer the head coach at Arkansas and has created a lot of embarrassment for himself, his family and the university.
Second, there was Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen’s comment about Fidel Castro. Guillen, who is Venezuelan, told Time magazine he loves Castro and respects the retired Cuban leader for staying in power so long. But what he meant to say was, “I cannot believe somebody who hurt so many people over the years is still alive.” Hmm.
Now, everyone has their own opinion about the morality of these specific events; however, there’s something bigger here, something deeper, which gets back to my question of how can this happen.
It’s simple. People in power or people with money feel they are invincible. They think they are Superman, above the law, nothing can happen to them. I have enough power, money and friends to get me out of whatever pickle I get myself into. That may have been the case 20 or 30 years ago, but now that every person in this country is armed with a camera phone, the internet/social media and access to some 24-hour news channel, it’s getting increasingly difficult for these people to get away with even jaywalking.
So, now this begs the question, why do they do it? Sooner or later they’re going to get caught. A mistake will be made, a trusted friend will turn on them or an involved party will seek the shakedown. It always happens. Sometimes it takes a long time for the alleged accused to come to light.
Take for instance former Penn St. assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. He was accused of molesting young boys for years, and those at the university either refused to believe it or looked the other way as it was happening. He used his position of power to get away with it for that time until someone finally came forward.
I’m no psychologist, but each of these incidents, as well as many others that are similar, has the same thing in common, ego. And what’s even more surprising from all of this is that no one has seemed to learn from another’s example, with websites like TMZ and Deadspin constantly up the rear ends of these people, and then reporting on the misdeeds. Once the story is out, the rest of the national media latches onto like a leech. There’s no escaping it.
It’s obvious to me that these people with money and/or power live in a bubble and fear no one but themselves. Their ego is so inflated and out of control not even their closest confidant can help them avoid their transgressions.
Petrino went in front of the press and lied about his accident. He paid the ultimate price by losing his job.
Guillen apologized to the very people that the Miami Marlins are trying to attract to their brand-spanking new ballpark, the Cuban-Americans that live in and around that area.
Neither seemed forthright or sincere during their press dog and pony, and who’s to say that they won’t go back to their old ways when the dust settles. At least Sandusky, whose charges are much more serious, is facing possible jail time.
Petrino and Guillen obviously shouldn’t go to jail for their “crimes,” but Petrino’s punishment was just. Guillen’s five-game suspension amounted to a slap on the wrist. He should have been fired. He’s a guy notorious for shooting his mouth off, so rest assured, he’ll be closely watched the rest of the season and will probably say something beyond stupid again.
As for the rest of these knuckleheads that think they can get away with whatever they want because of who they are and what they do, it’s time for the consequences to become much more dire. As long as the media holds them in high regard, tears them down and then forgets about them, these events will continue. Keep the pressure on, and don’t let them rest until justice is found.
