Before I launch into my diatribe, let me say that the notion of Peyton Manning allegedly placing his genitals on a respected trainer’s face, covering it up (thanks to Papa Manning), and besmirching her good name along the way (also thanks to Papa Manning) is nothing short of despicable. Why he would do such a thing is beyond my level of comprehension.
With that out of the way, I am fascinated by the reaction to Manning scenario – particularly from the media and fans.
There are some reasonable people (including your boy here) who are rather shocked and appalled at the allegations. Yet there are many fans and folks in the media are bending over backwards to downplay Manning’s alleged transgressions.
First, folks will tell you that what Manning did when he was in college was the result of being young and immature. And they will be even quicker to tell you that what happened in past, should stay in the past.
So why is it that Cam Newton STILL gets killed for the laptop scandal when he was at the University of Florida? He was young and dumb too, wasn’t he?
Why do we as fans STILL remember Bryce Harper blowing a kiss to the opposition after hitting a home run in a minor league game? Harper was young too, right?
Hell, why do we still care about Spygate? That’s like so five or so years ago (though I can’t stand the Patriots).
Also, people are quick to dismiss Manning’s possible connection to HGH as something that could not possibly happen. Folks bought Manning’s denial hook, line and sinker and moved on.
(Remember Lance Armstrong and Rafael Palmeiro?)
Yet people still eviscerate the likes of Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa for allegedly using HGH and other performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Hell, those dudes may never be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, which is unfortunate.
This is the classic double-standard we are dealing with. Just because Manning is liked by many and has carefully crafted a pristine image (which led to lucrative endorsements), doesn’t mean the media should all but sweep his alleged transgressions under the rug.
And it’s not just Manning.
Has anyone crucified Jason Giambi and Andy Pettite for their connections to PEDs? Anyone still care about Derek Jeter and those gift bags?
Again, imagine if Manning’s transgressions were committed by any other athlete. You think the media would brush it aside if the transgressor was Newton? Hell, ESPN and sports talk radio would be blowing up if it were Brady. Asking the media to cover the Manning story fairly – you know, the media actually having to DO ITS JOB – should not be too much to ask.
After all, this should prove that we really do not know ANY of those athletes…
Categories: NFL, sports story
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