Men with means have and always will push the envelope of good taste as far as they can until acted upon by a force greater than themselves. We should not be surprised by Ben Roethlisberger, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Babe Ruth or any other notable individual who obliterates the lines of good taste. They do it because they can. End of explanation.
I once was fortunate enough to spend a few hours with one of the kindest unknowns to every play professional baseball, Jimmy Reese. For the average fan he would have remained completely anonymous despite near constant involvement in baseball for nearly 80 years. His greatest professional achievement was a brief stint in the Major Leagues. He served as a back-up second baseman for the New York Yankees. What does a lifetime minor league baseball player have to do with a modern day NFL quarterback? Mr. Reese was a nice Jewish boy and as such was given the unenviable task of being Babe Ruth’s roommate. He was the Babe’s babysitter. As Jimmy told it, he was given a couple hundred dollars each night and told to make sure Babe got home safely.
The money was hush money to clean-up after the messes the Babe would inevitably get into. Babe’s infamous love for living large had a high price and Jimmy Reese was tasked with paying those bills. Back then the media had a vastly different relationship with the players, they did not view off the field behavior as news. They were insiders to amazing events, most of which they took to the grave. They would be appalled at the suggestion that someone write about what they had witnessed.
Today is a vastly different day and the private lives of public people are far from private. Though this is largely to the detriment of our society, there are instances, like Mr. Roethlisberger’s, where it is good that the facts come to light so that circumstances like those involving him might change.
As was stated in the opening: “men with means have and always will push the envelope of good taste as far as they can until acted upon by a force greater than themselves.” The force greater than themselves can take several forms: cash penalties motivate some (but seldom the extremely wealthy), fear of public humiliation motivates others, fear of parents or God motivate many. A strong parental bond can be enough to keep some in check. The bottom line remains — there must be something to keep guys in check. This is just the way males are. I can point to countless studies related to the male brain which demonstrate this.
Added to the genetic predisposition, the culture surrounding life as a public person frequently results in poor choices. This was a significant factor in former Indianapolis Colts, head coach Tony Dungy stepping down from coaching to try and be a mitigating factor in the lives of young athletes. Personal integrity and maturity are two of the most difficult challenges individuals face. To bring guys to the point of putting childish things behind requires a force greater than their libido or greed. We can only hope that whatever is required for each guy to “man-up,” gets instilled in him before it is too late. The ripples of poor choices leave countless individuals hurt and sometimes killed — just ask Donte Stallworth.
A very well written article. An interesting insight into fame and fortunes, and the consequences that come attached.
Agreed. No sympathy for Big Ben. He’s not in the same league as Ruth, Tiger or Kobe as a sportsman though. Strong action is important in setting a precedent for other players to think about.
There are 2 things I hate about some rich players: they think they are above the law AND/OR they cry they don’t make enough money.
It’s great that the commish came down hard with the suspension. Now, let’s wait TO SEE if Pitt trades Big Ben.
Well written article Jeff, you always mention and talk about these subjects on the show. I remember our moment in the Sports Cafe last year. You my friend were my Jimmy Reese :D
Great article Jeff. Fully agree with you and i am happy the NFL commish has made this decision. It will hopefully turn the heads of the rest of the players in the league and puts the NFL above other leagues with how they commit to sorting out wayward player conduct.
Well said Jeff. When you’re constantly presented with opportunity and a perceived lack of negative consequences then it’s a strong man who can stand firm. There’s been a lot of pious moralising over Tiger Woods but how many of us can honestly say that in the same situation we wouldn’t have been tempted? I’ve long been a believer that to avoid doing something foolish you have to make sure you don’t have the choice to make in the first place; avoid putting yourself in a position where you can make a bad decision. Of course that’s easier for an anonymous office worker in London than it is for an NFL QB!
What has the reaction been to Big Ben extra curricular activities in the US? As Tiger Woods has been big news in the UK. I was just wondering if Big Ben hit the headlines in the same way?
I agree with Steven friends in that the NFL have favored Big Ben for being white, as Pacman Jones was suspended for a whole season without even being charged (he was later), but for being repeatedly involved with the law. Big Ben has been accused twice of rape!
Generally when the news of Vick broke their was huge outrage with protesters wanting him thrown to the dogs (excuse the pun), but for some reason I am not seeing the same for Big Ben.
Big Ben is very lucky that he is not going to trial as i do believe the police man who has resigned has tampered with evidence. wasn’t he the guy who filed the report?
Big Ben should be banned for at least a year, i hear rumours of more stories to come.
The thing I don’t get is how these players have been suspended when they have been found not guilty. If they haven’t been found to be guilty, then surely by the eyes of the law they are innocent??? (even though in this case his guilt seems obvious and I’m astounded he’s not facing jail). Innocent players surely don’t have the right to be charged by the league. They may have damaged the image of the NFL, but you can’t be charged for that when technically you’ve done nothing wrong and the league’s reputation is harmed by so many things on and off the field. Steven Gerrard was found not guilty when accused (and almost certainly guilty) of beating up a DJ, and faced no more action.
@ Jack Howes, Steven Gerrard’s case was a bit different cos it was self defence and he was proven innocent in court.
As for Ben there seems to me too have been alot covererd up and good on the league for using common sence and punishing him. The biggest punishment will be when the Steelers cut all ties with him and show they don’t want to be assossiated with him no matter how talented he is.
Nice artical Jeff.
No your right it doesn,t surprise anyone but lets face it, the privalaged few be they sportsmen or politicions will always push whatever boundaries we lesser mortals adhere to.
Just following on from Jack’s comment above this really shows the difference between the NFL and the Premiership in England. The NFL doesn’t take any nonsense from its players, and is much the better for it. Maybe this is the reason for there being no one player that “IS” the NFL as in an earlier blog. In the Premier League? Gerrard is on camera punching a guy seemingly unprovoked. Self defence come on! John Terry does god only knows what with a England team-mate’s wife. What is the punishment from the FA for these crimes? Oh yes, a big welcome to the england squad, but you can’t be captain. What a punishment. Sadly the Premiership is dominated by the big names and the FA are too scared/powerless to do anything.
The NFL is all about the football and is a great sport for it.
(As a Ravens fan loving the mess the Steelers are in ;)
@bencantona
I don’t think you’re being quite fair there. The FA doesn’t have the power to suspend footballers for off-the-field incidents of this nature. They do not have ultimate power over the EPL for a start, that is run by the Premier League themselves, and they also do not have the ability to apply non-sporting based sanctions because the clubs are independant entities that exist within the league.
In the NFL they are franchises that have been granted the opportunity to play in the league that can be revoked as and when the NFL decides (someone please correct me if I’m wrong). As a result they have complete power over the franchises and can take into account only how an incident reflects upon the league, rather then whether or not they are guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
I can’t disagree about the England team though! :-)
Thanks for explaining most of this to me fellas, this has been an interesting discussion. Ben has clearly done many things wrong despite the fact he wasn’t found guilty, and as a Raider fan I’m struggling to make my mind up as to whether I want him or not. Nonetheless makes the draft more interesting, doesn’t it???
Well…the bad guys ALWAYS wear black…so the transition from Pittsburg to Oakland would be ideal for “Big Ben” (do you think he gave himself that nickname to compensate for smallness in other areas?!)