| Shape Shifter |
07-23-2012 12:31 PM |
Re: Paterno and Penn State
Quote:
Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield
(Post 470652)
But I still don't think the players should suffer the death penalty for the coaches' and administration's actions. That seems unfair to kids who probably thought they were joining a uniquely ethical program, and did nothing wrong.
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I'm not really sure where I fall on this issue overall because a large part of me believes the NCAA should stick to what it pays lip service to doing best, creating a level playing field in college athletics.
However, I've never really bought this argument. Why should athletes be any different from the rest of us who suffer the consequences for the actions of others? I worked for a company that went bankrupt, I had jack shit to do with it, but my career and those of my colleagues suffered because of us, and I don't remember anyone asking investigators to take it easy on the company because of the potential harm to our careers. For that matter, I had some pretty tough times following the economic collapse of '08, and I sure as fuck wasn't bundling any mortgages or gambling on credit default swaps.
I find it telling that this argument seems to be made only when it comes to mens football and basketball, sports with potentially lucrative post-collegiate possibilities. Athletes facing this situation in non-revenue sports just transfer somewhere else, sit for a year, and then move on, and nobody gives a crap.
Worrying about the post-collegiate careers of the very small percentage of athletes on the team who can go pro, while ignoring far larger harms to society, is completely absurd. It's a position insulated from the reality that everyone else faces. |
