I know that this is a Washington Nationals blog and for the most part, I stick to that. But this story really gets under my skin, and so I thought I've done enough Nationals ranting about their abhorrent six-consecutive losses and lack of effort. I'm going on to a more general sports story today.
I don't, and no one should, expect that any athletes be immune to reprehensible acts. Just as any person, athletes are not perfect. They are in the limelight, and have a tendency to make very public, very unfortunate life errors. I am not making any excuses for any of the despicable acts that any athletes commit, or that any other non-celebrities make. They're equally despicable.
What I do expect, however, is that those writers who expect more from athletes expect more from themselves. Which brings me to the true point of my article.
Anyone that watches ESPN when they get home from work around 5 pm, or when you're mentally checked out a little early from your long work day, has probably watched ESPN's talking head show "Around the Horn." One of that show's most frequent contributors is Jay Mariotti of AOL Fanhouse.
On August 21, 2010, Mariotti was arrested for a "domestic altercation" involving him and his girlfriend. He's facing up to 7 years in prison.
Why do I bring this up? Well because Jay Mariotti is one of those writers that have torn into athletes who have been accused of domestic violence. He's written this on multiple occasions. So while Mariotti was pontificating about how we should expect more from our athletes, he wasn't holding himself to the same standard.
Domestic abuse is a serious problem in the US and across the world. It's unacceptable under any circumstances. This kind of double standard is unacceptable in any arena, including sports media. Jay Mariotti should be ashamed.
Has he been arrested or convicted? Big difference.
ReplyDeleteI think Marrioti is 5'2" and doesn't look like he could hurt his sister!