Say It Ain’t So, Marvin

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Perhaps the greatest phenomenon in our culture is sports. While such a seemingly inconsequential part of our lives, sports has an overwhelming effect on us. We allow Alex Rodriguez to be paid close to $30 million a year while the country slips into recession. His jersey still flies off the shelves, and every Yankees game is sold out. People care more about the Super Bowl or March Madness than political debates or international issues. Whether you like it or not, sports takes up a big chunk of American society.

It’s only natural, then, that our young people look up to these superstars as heroes. Athletes are glorified in our society, and they should be held to a much higher standard because of it.

The immaturity of many athletes is a major concern. Some athletes have become known as trouble-makers. Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson and Rasheed Wallace are a few stars that prove to be a headache just as often as they prove to be an excellent athlete.

The slope continues, unfortunately, into far more reckless behavior.

Drugs and alcohol are much bigger problems than immaturity. Just a week ago, Denver Nuggets (and Team USA) forward Carmelo Anthony was charged with a DUI. Ricky Williams chose marijuana over a lucrative NFL career, or at least severly jeopardized it. The one-year anniversary just passed of St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Josh Hancock’s tragic drunken driving death.

Still farther down the slope, we approach violent crimes.

Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Jackson has had several violent incidents, including being arrested for firing a handgun in public and charging into the stands during a game and attacking fans. Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended for a year from the NFL after several public incidents.

The slope took a steep drop this week, though, when squeaky-clean Indianapolis Colt wide receiver Marvin Harrison was accused of firing a handgun in public and shooting a man in the hand. Harrison is one of the best receivers in the game, and will likely make the Hall of Fame after his playing days are over. He has always had a great reputation, and people rarely think of him when discussing trouble-making athletes.

A source told Anthony Gargano Philadelphia’s WIP Radio that the alleged victim came into Harrison’s Philadelphia bar, Playmakers, and got into an argument with Harrison. The victim left the bar, was followed by Harrison and gunfire broke out. Ballistics were matched to a custom-made Belgian gun, a weapon that Harrison owns. The gun was found at Harrison’s Philadelphia car wash and showed that seven bullets had been fired from it.

Harrison and his lawyer deny involvement and say that the reports are not true.

If this turns out to be true it could be disastrous for both the player and the league’s reputation. The most important question that needs to be asked, whether Harrison is innocent or guilty, is, “Why the hell does he, or almost any professional athlete, even own a gun?”

Certainly they can afford a security system for their home and their family, as well as a dwelling in an affluent suburb where crime is minimal. A gun seems like a very excessive and unnecessary part of a person’s safety when they have the means to protect themselves in much more effective ways.

Even if this case is completely thrown out, it can potentially be a black cloud over both Harrison and the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell has taken many steps to improving the reputation of the league, handing down suspensions to Jones, wideout Chris Henry and defensive tackle Terry “Tank” Johnson for off-the-field behavior. A violent crime by a player like Harrison can reverse all the good that Goodell has done.

There’s bound to be a few bad apples in every bunch, but I never thought that Marvin Harrison would be one of them.

—Mike Rodden

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Tags: Marvin Harrison, Pacman, NFL