No matter how well professional athletes of any sport perform on the field or court, it does not give them the right to physically or sexually impose themselves on women.
The culture of the American pro athlete is not complete without the throngs of adoring female fans, commonly called ‘groupies.’ It could even be said that the bevy of beauties ‘comes with the territory’ or is just another of the ‘fringe benefits’ enjoyed by those who are employed in the sports world. No matter what tag they are labeled with, it is not okay for them to be taken advantage of.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has dominated offseason headlines with his recent misconduct in a bar in Milledgeville, GA. The details and statements from witnesses paint a picture of a quarterback who felt that with his 6 foot 5, 260 pound frame, he was entitled to something that didn’t belong to him. His actions, as described in the police statements, also included buying alcohol for underage females.
It is unfortunate that the alleged victim in this case refused to press charges, essentially setting Roethlisberger free to offend again. Allowing him to go unpunished by the court system sends the wrong message to professional athletes. It is a message that says it’s okay to buy young women alcohol in order to get them intoxicated and take advantage of them. To the victims, the message is that these professional athletes are entitled, even empowered, to have their way with you; and you have no legal recourse because no one will believe you.
In most rape cases involving professional athletes, it’s common to hear that the females are out for a big pay day or digging for gold. This thought process is not only flawed but it casts a shroud of guilt on alleged victims. It wrongly convicts a female for wanting to not be raped or assaulted. It also objectifies female sexuality as a ‘most valuable player’ trophy to be taken with no regard to her well-being or wishes. Professional athletes seem content to hide behind this mantra along with their high-priced attorneys and the leagues that employ them.
Even more despicable than professional athletes who are sexual offenders are the leagues, teams, owners and coaches who shield them. It is so deplorable to see them to stand behind a podium and say things like “we support so-and-so,” or “he is a great football player.” Again, the messages are dead wrong. To the players, it says, that they still have a job when things blow over. To the females it says that these athletes are so talented and gifted that no matter how disgusting their sexual misdeeds are, they are still employable. Not only are they employable, they are also likely to receive millions of dollars hitting, passing or catching a ball.
It is a shame that there will have to be more women raped by professional athletes before the system and culture can change. With all the wrong messages being sent, it is imperative that America send a very clear message to professional athletes that says no matter how many homeruns you hit, baskets you score or touchdown passes you throw, it is not okay to sexually assault young women.