Murder, sex, drugs, beat downs; these are all words mostly found in the police blotter or crime beat. Unfortunately these terms are now being found in the sports pages all too often. Right here in Sacramento is no different. Former Valley High School standout Jeremiah Pharms, who was recently drafted by the Cleveland Browns, was arrested recently in Sacramento on suspicion of armed robbery. The robbery, which happened a year ago in Seattle, is just one example of athletes that get in trouble with the law. Besides Pharms, who could forget Sacramento?s own Rae Carruth, whom recently was found guilty on charges of killing his pregnant girlfriend. The names Daryl Strawberry (cokehead), Jason Kidd (slapping his wife around), Ray Lewis (accessory to murder, errr obstruction of justice), even old Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar (weed head) are names that are associated more with crime, than sports.

So why is this a growing trend? Some say athletes are just a microcosm of society as a whole. I disagree. When athletes show special ability it is often seen early on in the athlete?s life as early as junior high in most cases. As soon as that ability is spotted the label “special” is branded. Athletes with that “special” ability are given a different set of rules. If the grades aren?t quite good enough a special tutor will be hired to help out, or in worst cases, the grades are ignored so the athlete can continue dominating his or her field. The idea of two sets of rules is in place very early. Rules in place for the regular athlete and rules in place for the special athlete. Now unfortunately instead of getting away with bad grades these athletes are getting away with murder. The attitude that they can?t be touched dominates their mindset. Early on it might be they can get an f and still play then it might grow into beating up a coed and getting away with it (sounds a little like the Hornet?s Nest incidents doesn?t it) from then it just snowballs. For example Portland Trailblazer point guard Rod Strickland, whom has 3 DUIs in less than one year, has not spent a minute in jail. Even here on the college level it continues. Three years ago members of the UCLA football team ran a handicap parking scheme so they could park in the coveted front parking spaces while legitimate disabled students had to park some distances from class then walk or wheel themselves to class. After it was revealed that football players were behind it they were given a slap on the wrist and told to go back to practice.

It is no different here on campus, the double standard continues. When Hornet football players were accused of trashing the Stingers Bar and beating up a some poor chump a few months ago, there was no real investigation. A brief look by the AD and a reminder of the student-athlete?s code of conduct is that it all took place by the school. Football coach John Volek may have had an in house meeting and settled it internally but how does that help the owner of the Nest or the poor guy who caught a beat down?

Athletes regardless of their ability must be held responsible for their actions. Too much coddling only hurts them later in their lives. The “let them slide” rule hurts everybody. Let?s appreciate these athletes because of their special God given abilities on the field but let?s leave it at that. They can do things that the ordinary person can?t do on the field of play. Same should not be said off the field.