THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S NEWS

Today's profile in the New York Times of how alleged criminal activity by football players at Florida State University is handled by the university community is the latest news account about professional athletes (whether NCAA or major league) apparently engaging in criminal behavior without consequence.  And, while it would seem to be critical of one particular university community and one particular group of professional athletes, you could write this story about big-time sports programs anywhere.  The problem isn't really Florida State, or Penn State or the Baltimore Ravens.  The problem in some large measure is the result of our culture of celebrity - i.e., famous people are better than the rest of us and have our blessing to do whatever the hell they want - which has allowed certain famous athletes (along with other famous people) who may be very talented, but lack morals or judgment or integrity, to engage in bad behavior without consequence. 

Who's at fault?  Obviously, the individuals, who are responsible for their own conduct.  But, the rest of us bear some responsibility, too.  There's the group of people who make a lot of money off of these famous athletes.  Hardly free of conflicts of interest and there are plenty of examples of this group doing the wrong thing in response because of what's at stake for their own personal interests.  As concerns sexual assault crimes, there is the pervasive societal evil that continues to demonize victims of sexual crimes by suggesting that their own behavior contributes to their victimization.  It does not and it never has, but if you don't think that view is widely held and a serious part of the problem, consider that blowhard columnist George Will recently wrote in the Washington Post to suggest that women are clamoring to be sexual assault victims on college campuses for its "coveted" status.  And, this alleged human being has a wife and daughters.  And, there are the fans and supporters who, being far removed from the consequences of such criminal actions, are able to focus on the entertainment value of victories linked to these athletes, while putting emotional and intellectual distance between the criminal behavior and their own lives. 

This story does not reflect poorly on Florida State, so much as it holds up a very unflattering mirror to our society and some fairly immoral choices that are made by lots of people in this culture of celebrity.  I attended the University of Florida, a fierce rival of Florida State, but which is having another pretty lousy season (by Florida football standards) at 3 and 2 (we lost again to LSU last night).  But, I would caution against wagging the finger too quickly.  Instead, there are more important questions to consider, as highlighted by this story.  Would you be just as thrilled that your adult child was dating a famous (and rich) athlete if you knew up front that your child would be punched in the face, dragged out of an elevator by the hair, attacked at home or far, far, worse?  Let's not fail to pick up on something important for all us to consider.  Because, as someone once pointed out to me, when you point a finger at someone else, three other fingers are pointing right back at you.  Just saying. . .