Making It Rain.

The NFL has suspended Pac-Man Jones (Cornerback for the Tennessee Titans) for an entire season, due to his being questioned by police 10 times since he started in the league (and the fact that he might get indicted). Apparently the league looks down on "making it rain" in strip clubs unless you're willing to give the strippers the money (and not bash their heads on the stage over it), and then having an alleged member of your entourage shoot a few people, paralysing a former professional wrestler during NBA All-Star Week.

I watched a special on ESPN not too long ago about his conduct and the Titan's management feelings about drafting him in the first place. Apparently their drafting "software" takes "attitude" and "off field conduct" into account. Generally what I took from it was that the management was shocked the computer chose him despite the fact that he is extremely talented and were "hopeful" (before he was questioned 10 times) that they might be able to reign him in. Although given their support of the suspension and the increasing severity of his behavior it does not seem they have been able to.

I only bring this up since it seems like the NBA (with their dress code restrictions instituted last year) and the NFL (with what could be called character suspensions) are trying to force players into being "roll models." These measures remind me of when I was kid, and how Charles Barkley was always criticized for his conduct on the court (does the fact that it was on the court make a difference?), to which his defense was "I didn't ask to be a roll model." Is there something to be said about the fact that if you choose to put yourself in the public eye and make millions you should be forced to be someone children "should look up to"? Or should the focus be on parental responsibility and educating children that maybe sports players, musicians, and actors are not people who should be idealized? The reality is no matter how many times LT tells us all "not to smoke crack", and it is admirable that he has gotten clean, it does not change the fact that he did in fact, smoke rock.