Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

[BABY1]

With New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress set to face a judge on June 15th for gun possession, and Donte Stallworth to go on trial for DUI manslaughter, it seems an appropriate time to ask how major league team owners should handle the question of criminality among athletes. There's no question that crime is a big part of the sports scene, and it seems naive to think that an industry built on the backs of aggressive, dominance-seeking young men wouldn't see its share of riotous behavior. The reason, though, that we assign sports such a large role in our culture -- from Little League games to company softball teams -- is because on some level we believe it is a healthy way to instill values such as fair play, sportsmanship and discipline.

Given this, do you think athletes convicted of serious crimes should be barred from the major leagues?

[TheChosen1]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

It depends on the crime, I would think. I mean, if they can prove that they've been rehabilitated after serving some time in jail for drug possession, fine. Let them play. But some type of major felonies like burglary, theft, murder/manslaughter, etc. No way!!

[daved150]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

tuff question...i think it's up to each owner to how he wants the public to precieve his club....if he wants to hire a felon and the public gets pissed and stops spending the $ on the team, then it's his prob....his bad P.R.

[Sal Paradise]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

I think it depends as Chosen has said.
Some of it is just too subjective - something that happened years before could be totally unrelated.
A manslaughter cahrge from being with some less savory chums who commited a crime and he was there.
Did he pull the trigger or happened ot be with a group of guys who he shouldn't have been around.
Not saying this is the case but if a kid was 17 or 18 and he was with someone - rather than take a chance on a accomplice to murder he takes a man 1 or something.
Well if he does some time and has a chance later to turn pro playing basketball or golf - should this previous bad judgement be held against him?
I would say no - but then does it set precedent for others with a Man 1 conviction to be allowed in?
I would think the sports team or governing body should have enough time to review such cases and make a fair ruling.
It's not like there are that many cases of such things and that many players they can't take time to look at them.


Sal

[pigmeat]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

should be up to indidvidual team owners...just like any other business...if you want t hire thugs then go for it

[BABY1]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

I know it is not the same thing, but there is a lot of crime in the music industry too! There are plenty of well known rap artists that have a history of commiting crimes and they still are on the top.

I say let it be the decision of the individual teams.

[Dzone]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

They have the money to pay for the best legal defense money can buy. Typically fame equates to getting away with murder. see OJ Simpson and others.

[gator_mclusky]

Re: Should Felons Be Barred From Sports?

NO! These days almost everythings a ****in felony. Hell, here in Louisiana if a person gets arrested twice for telephone harassment, the third is a Felony!!!!!!The list goes on......

I have a friend that has a few possesion charges. Weed and some Xanax in the past. He's over all that stuff but he's a convicted Felon and cant get a job anywhere....

gator