In November of 2008, Plaxico Burress of the New York Giants shoots himself with his own gun. One would have hoped that athletes in particular would have learned some lessons about the appropriate role of firearms. Sadly, several athletes have failed this lesson. Consider these recent headlines:
* A Cleveland Cavalier basketball player is arrested for carrying a rifle in a guitar case while riding a motorcycle prior the the start of the NBA season.
* The University of Tennessee has a couple of football players arrested for robbing convenience store patrons at gun point.
* The University of Tennessee has 4 basketball players arrested after a speeding stop with open alcohol, marijuana and guns.
* Gilbert Arenas and another player are involved in a gun incident in the locker room of the Washington Wizards.
I understand that athletes have to be cautious and aware of the crazies in society who might target athletes. They have a right to protect themselves and their families from harm. However, recent actions raise some interesting questions in my mind:
1. Can the NBA really do anything to change their image of being a thug culture?
2. Should the Washington Wizards revert back to their previous name?
The Wizards were formerly known as the Washington Bullets and/or the Baltimore Bullets. PC pressure caused the team to drop the Bullets name and image in favor of the Wizards. It appears that while Bullets may have been removed from the front of the jersey, bullets are still in the lockerroom.
3. For those who argue the college athletes should be paid because they financially struggle, they must explain how non-paid athletes can still afford drugs and guns.
4. Should gun-toting athletes wear a gun patch on their uniform so that fans and opponents think twice before booing or trash talking a player?
Leagues need to develop a zero tolerance policy for illegal possession or use of firearms. Lives are at stake.
