Published: September 23, 2007 11:36 pm      

Fairness: The strangeness in pro-sports - Johnny Jackson

A lot has been said recently about the treatment of certain people versus others.

Some say Michael Vick was crucified for his role in dog fighting.

And most will agree that Barry Bonds is the victim of unfavorable public opinion that is, so far, based on little or no hard (prosecutable) evidence. But they, all the same, agree that the popular opinion is justified.

I think the commissioner of Major League Baseball would like nothing more than to ban Bonds from baseball, if not for Bonds’ self-centered attitude toward the game, at least, for the commissioner’s association with Bonds and the so-called “steroid era.”

One thing is certain, though. If something ever comes from the steroids controversy, Bonds is not one who stands to catch a break.

It brings us to a younger controversy and the New England Patriots. The team, and its coach, are accused of videotaping play-calling signals from other teams.

It seems no different from the perfectly acceptable play-call thefts in baseball, but it is explicitly a violation of National League Football rules. Thusly, it is “cheating.”

As punishment for violating league rules, the Patriots are to pay a $250,000 fine and will not have a first round draft pick in 2008. And their head coach, Bill Belichick, must pay a $500,000 fine, a good chunk of change.

Some argue that Belichick should have gotten more, or worse punishment, particularly considering other notable NFL sanctions.

Others, not including Vick, have been suspended from the NFL for off-field actions — actions not affecting the game.

But Belichick’s involvement with videotaping could have affected the game directly and violated a league rule.

Should he have, at least, been suspended for allowing it to happen? Should he have been punished in the way that his actions -- which would have positively benefited his team -- negatively impact the team?

Initially, I didn’t think much about it. But on further evaluation, I’m convinced that, perhaps, he and his team should be punished within the game — a punishment that doesn’t affect his wallet, or a draft pick several months away.

With the fine, Belichick is still a millionaire. But he also is still able to go out onto the field he once “cheated” on.

Would-be baseball Hall of Famer Pete Rose, who has yet to admit gambling on baseball, must be furious.



Johnny Jackson is the education reporter for the Henry Daily Herald. He can be reached at jjackson@henryherald.com or at (770) 957 - 9161.