One aspect of the answer that the National Football League is pedaling to the media and country after yet another felony arrest of one of its players is thought-provoking and more than a little scary.

Tuesday, February 08, 2000

One aspect of the answer that the National Football League is pedaling to the media and country after yet another felony arrest of one of its players is thought-provoking and more than a little scary.

The NFL claims it has no more criminals than any other large concern. Therefore, the NFL reasons, there is no need for anyone to be overly concerned by the recent news that Baltimore Raven Ray Lewis has been added to the felony roster for his role in a recent late night shooting.

The NFL is going to continue to have problems with its players – and the crimes are going to get worse. And that eventuality can be laid right at the feet of those who take these stars from terrible lives and give them all the money in the world.

Some of these youngsters started with nothing and are not taught the realities of life before they enter the NFL. Few are grounded and have the training and maturity necessary to make the proper choices in their lives. After all, most are just barely out of their teens.

Money, fame and a feeling of invincibility – or apathy for the rules that govern common decency – are a recipe for disaster, no matter what field you are in.

The NFL’s problem is a microcosm of one society faces. Our children don’t get the training they need today in being a decent human being. Maybe we are too busy. Maybe we just think they should know. No matter what the reason, there are too many young adults today who just don’t seem to understand the consequences for their actions or think of anyone but themselves.

The NFL is right. This is not just a football problem. There are stories in the newspapers every day of heinous crimes done by children who seem to have no concept of right and wrong or empathy for others. They seem only to be concerned about getting what they need or want.

Americans are watching generations of young adults spiraling out of control because they have no direction in their lives. They have few people to look up to – least of all their parents.

Let’s start by showing them that actions like those of the stars who have been arrested recently are not heroic, just pathetic.

But, please, let’s not make any more excuses.