Jayson Williams: Breaking The Law

Would you want your whole career ruined due to a mistake? Professional athletes more than likely label as the “Golden Children” and are expected to never do anything wrong. These athletes are the one’s little kids and young athletes look up to and aspire to be. One mistake and this can all go away. Everyone makes mistakes, but professional athletes take the fall harder due to their fame and fortune. Although professional athletes are in the public eye, their career should not be ruined due to crimes people commit every day because, underneath all the fame and fortune, they are just regular people.

When Wayne Williams was trialed for the death of two victims, DNA testing was not a reliable source in courtrooms as evident (Polk, 2015). A conviction could have been rendered without the fiber evidence in this case. The prosecution had a strong case in providing the evidence from the DNA of the hair obtained from the crime scene. On February 13, 1981, when Patrick Baltazar's body was found dumped down a wooded slope behind an office park (Polk, 2015). A forensic scientist discovered two human scalp hairs inside Baltazar's shirt. The DNA sample was tested under a microscope by both the FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Polk, 2015). The hair sample was consistent with Wayne William's DNA. This placed William at the scene of the crime. The

Many people believe that professional athletes are “above the law”. In reality, they are human beings like you and me who, no matter what the circumstances, can and will be charged like an average person. The offense of the crime can certainly come into play on whether or not a professional athlete who commits a crime should be allowed to play again.

People often say about celebrities or political figures, “They are not above the law.” This is true, no one is above the law, but the law was made by other humans just like you and me and humans make mistakes…a lot.

Do Professional Athletes get away with crime because they are famous? They are heroes in the respective cities they play, and are portrayed as role models for the younger generations whom adorn their rooms with their favourite player’s memorabilia. Professional athletes work so hard in their life training 24/7 a week so they can perform at the level they do. So just because they work hard all their life at sport, does this give them a jail out of free card? Everybody should have to pay the consequences for their actions, but it seems one’s status can affect whether or not they are held responsible.

John Williams was recently incarcerated for the violent murder of three young women. Prior to his arrest, police were on edge because the small town in Arkansas had never experienced anything like that before. Each girl was taken within a week from each other, all while they were out after dark taking a short cut home. Sadly they were all found buried deep in the woods after weeks of searching. The town went into shock; citizens were exhibiting both fear and rage for the loss of the precious girls from their community.

Without a doubt, we look at athletes today and from the past as if they are larger than life individuals. They show their personality through talent no matter what they play; some are better than others, for example some can kick or throw. However, at the end of the day they all have a different voice and a different story. People expect them to turn a blind eye to everyday events because of their status. People think of athletes as celebrities, they say they do not go through the same struggles as everyday people. That statement is far from the truth when it pertains to the issue of racism. Racism has been an unresolved problem for years whether it is in sports or athletes speaking for what they believe. Racism has had a big impact on sports such as Germany hosting the olympics and cheating, N.B.A. owners thinking they rule over their players, and the hidden discrimination that happens in locker rooms. Many times athletes have stood up for what they believed just to be shot down. Nowhere in their contracts does it state that because they are professionals that they must compromise their freedom of speech. Whether it be refusing to meet with the president, speaking out on racial injustices, or not standing for the national anthem, athletes have a strong voice in the fight against discrimination and other traumatic events. The fight for equality in sports and throughout America is a process that includes multiple organizations, the reaction of authority figures, and

In Jayson Williams by rick riley, the author opined that Williams’s court ruling was unjust and so was Gus Christofis’s death. Riley believes that Gus’s death was morally wrong. He describes Gus as “well-liked” and a “changed man”. 10 years before Gus’s death he had recovered from heroin and alcohol addiction. This author also writes how other heroin addicts who were with Gus relied on him to help during times of need. Many people who came to the poor limousine driver’s funeral mentioned how Gus had saved lives for example in Riley’s article he quotes from Anthony Christofis, Gus’s nephew, “I can’t even tell you how many people came up to me and said ‘your uncle saved my life.’” Riley also believes that the court ruling for Williams was unjust

Around eight million high school students participate in athletics within the United States, and more than 480,000 will progress to compete as NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) athletes during college. However, a study from ESPN found that male basketball and football players at a major university who were deemed criminal suspects were either not prosecuted, had charges dropped, or never faced charges at all– 56 percent of the time. These players were treated better than others and therefore have an advantage over them, thus is preferential treatment. Many coaches and athletic administrators believe that athletes are treated equally compared to their peers, but that is not true. Athletes receive preferential treatment by receiving higher grades in school along with

A lot of fans thought this could be Terrence Williams, and Cole Beasley’s breakout year. Terrence was taking all the snaps at the number one receiver position while Dez was out in off-season working on his new contract deal with Cowboys. There were reports on how good Williams looked in that role, and how he could be poised to have a breakout year.

For example, Kobe Bryant is an accused rapist or Jason Kidd who is convicted of spousal abuse. And what about the rest of list, where athletes were not only accused but they were sentenced to jail for criminal offences.

Athletes argue that they are role models for children and endorse products. This is true, but it is what goes along with the job. I would be prod if I knew that billions and billions of young impressionable children wanted to be just like me. You should not have to be paid to be a role model, there is no reason that one should be negative, commit crimes, and do “bad” things regardless of you being an athlete or not. It should be an honor to be praised and loved by billions, this is why I feel the reasoning of the professional athletes that demand higher wages are illegitimate.

Should celebrities that break the law face stricter penalties? Celebrities who break the law does not face penalties the way they should be served. They get special treatment and why is that? They are humans just like us,and they don't deserve to be treated better than us non famous people. Who cares that they are rich and famous? They still are breaking the law. They break the law like any other person. Just because you are rich and famous doesn't mean break all laws.

Not only has the media created celebrity heroes they have made then seem untouchable. For example, Ray Lewis superstar linebacker of the champion ship team Baltimore Ravens. Lewis portrayed as a staunch, Christian, and an example for other to follow. This stands in contrast to the same person who was charged with homicide in 2000 after a club brawl in Atlanta left two men dead (Bisciotti,S 2013). The charges against Lewis were ultimately reduces as part of a plea deal. Families of the victims received over one million dollars in compensation from Lewis. Lewis has been a role model since this incident. It goes to prove that although everyone can change their lives, the label of hero, is too readily dished out to athletes and sports figures.

who have done time in jail than have done for a charity. For instance, Kobe Bryant was recently on trial for the rape of a young girl in Colorado. Mike Tyson was in jail for physically harming is wife, not to mention biting the ear off of Evander Holyfield. Leon Lett of the Dallas Cowboys was put to jail for selling cocaine. All these professional athletes are people that kids know. They don't know the guys who are spending their free time helping a charity.