The Trouble With Black Athletes

I guess we can count on one of these stories at least once a year. A prominent black athlete gets himself into trouble because of poor judgement and irresponsibility. Last year it was New York Giants wide out Plaxico Burres who shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan Nitelub. Burress has since been sentenced to a two year prison term. In what has become the standard bearer for a superstars who fall from grace, the Michael Vick dog fighting scandal reigns supreme. The latest millionaire run amok is Washington Wizards star point guard Gilbert Arenas who has landed in hot water for pulling a gun on a teammate in the locker rocker room during a dispute over a gambling debt. "Agent Zero" as he is ironically called has been suspend by the NBA for the remainder of the season and could still face jail time. If that isn't bad enough, he runs the risk of having his $110m contract voided by the Wizards.

I have always disagreed with the liberal worldview that jobs and education are the solution to many of societies problems. In the case of black men, there are alarming numbers of who are expelled from college for everything from stealing, robbery to sexual assault. Black elite athletes in spite of their multi million dollar contracts seem to be plagued by the same issues that many black males in the inner city are experiencing- a lack of discipline and poor values. The facts are disturbing.

-According the the book Pros and Cons, 21% of NFL players at any given time are charged with a serious crime.

- In September 2009 ,Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West was charged carrying several loaded firearms while riding his motorcycle.

- April 29, 2008 Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison was charged with shooting a man outside a business he owns in Philadelphia.

-On August 16, 2006, Washington Wizards forward Lonnie Baxter was arrested in Washington D.C. only a few blocks from the White House after firing a .40 caliber handgun into the air. On August 23, 2006, Baxter was sentenced to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition charges. Baxter was later charged with shipping four guns via Fedex in July 2006 without notifying them that the shipment contained firearms.

- April 2007, The NBA suspended Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Sebastian Telfair without pay for three games this season after Telfair pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to three months’ probation.

-February 2002 Former New Jersey nets Star forward Jayson Williams shot and killed Limousine driver Costas Christofi while playing with a gun at his estate in New Jersey. Williams was intoxicated at the time.

- Former Golden State Warrior and current Charlotte Bobcat Stephen Jackson received a seven-game suspension for firing a gun in a strip club parking lot in 2006 while with Indiana.

Interestingly enough, the more than 70 foreign born NBA players seem to avoid these types of negative behaviors year after year. I have not been able to identify any incidents among the international players since the influx of players from other countries. This holds true also for white athletes. The epicenter of the black male discipline crisis seems to consistently involve guns, violence, fast sex, and fast money. An education can be a great asset in life, just like millions of dollars can. However neither of those things are substitutes for discipline, wisdom or personal responsibility. One who ignores these virtues will continually put him or herself in the line of fire.

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