A-Fraud & Us

If there is one thing I hate to hear on sports talk radio, its the steroid mob. However, this go-round with A-Fraud, A-Wad, whatever you want to call him has been intriguing. Not because of the steroid issue, but because we are now focusing on the ethics of honesty, apologies, forgiveness and how our society values the truth.

Many have felt A-Rod's apology was not sincere since he had no other options. In a matter of 48 hours since the story broke, he was tried and convicted in the court of public opinion. Sad thing is, most of us expected him to be guilty. We assume our stars and people in power are corrupt. So why should A-Rod risk defying the mob/congress and perjure himself? Things aren't going well for Bonds and Clemens. At least A-Rod decided to apologize and not waste any more tax payer time and money.

But who are we to blame him for not apologizing sooner? How many of us broke something in the house as a kid, swept it under the rug/stairs and hoped we'd never get caught? It happens all the time in our private an professional lives. We generally don't own up to mistakes and falsehoods unless we have to. Often, we assume that to do such a thing is stupid or unnecessary. A-Rod is no different. I find it very hypocritical that people are busting his chops over this.

I accept his apology and find it to be sincere. However, I'm sure its not the whole truth and its difficult to trust that he has been clean since 2003. So what? I think we'll be upset for a year, then it will gradually blow over. Look at Kobe, his scandal is a few years past and people hardly act like it happened. Phelps will sell Wheaties and Speedos once again when his sport becomes relevant in 4 years. I suppose its good to be an athlete where your mistakes can usually be forgiven, so long as you perform. Perhaps that's why our Senators and Congressmen go down in the flames of scandal so quickly... none of them produce results we care about. Perhaps that's why its so hard to take down a corporate executive, because they have a close-knit group of people/golf-friends that think they did great things for them.

Hide the truth from me so long as you are making my life better. Ignorance is bliss.

Personally, A-Rod does nothing for me and I'd bet 98.7% of the population. So why forgive him? For me, it is a Christian imperative or simply: the right thing to do. Whatever our reasons, we should forgive, the same way we would want to be forgiven. It doesn't mean we have to like the guy or celebrate his records, but perhaps we'll all be better off by forgiving and moving on, rather than dwelling on how much we hate him.