Professional Athletes are NOT Role Models

During the last 48 hours, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend within the sports industry. It has nothing to do with the game itself, and has all to do with who’s playing and spectating. Professional athletes are regarded as role models and influential figures to the younger generations that have their posters and pictures tacked all over their walls.



I’m confident countless adolescents in the greater New York area grew up idolizing Lawrence Taylor during the 1980’s. Thirty years later, he’s charged with raping a 16-year-old runaway. To put this in perspective, if you were 10-years old during Taylor’s MVP season in 1986, you’d be about 34-years old today. Let’s say you had a kid when you were 22, your son or daughter would be within the age range (12-16) as the girl Taylor was accused of having unwanted sexual relations with.

If the player you grew up idolizing was accused of such a heinous crime, what would you do? Better yet if you have or plan on having children, how do you explain to them that their favorite football player is a criminal?

Many of us can just say, “yeah but Lawrence Taylor is just an isolated incident”

And I say “oh really?”



Remember former Carolina Panthers receiver Rae Carruth? He was a conspirator in his pregnant girlfriend’s murder and was later found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and using an instrument to destroy an unborn child in 1999. Carruth is now serving a sentence of at least 18 years and 11 months at Nash Correctional Institution near Rocky Mount, North Carolina.


What about JaMarcus Russell? He isn’t a criminal by any means, but what he did do was steal time from the Oakland Raiders. They got an employee who lacked a work ethic, didn’t care about the organizations success, and failed to learn tactics (playbook) that were obligations in his contract. In the real world Russell would have been a dead beat and fired significantly sooner then he was.


I’m sure somewhere in Raider Nation or even in LSU Country someone has a JaMarcus Russell jersey. I’m also fairly certain a large percentage is children. When Russell doesn’t show a hard working attitude or fails to learn the playbook, this subliminally tells kids who look up to JaMarcus Russell that it’s ok. It’s ok to be lazy and it’s ok to skip homework because at the end of the day, if you have superior talent it will always out-rule hard work and determination.

A research study done by the San Diego Union-Tribune reveled that NFL players are theoretically better behaved then the American population. The NFL roughly has one arrest per 47 players per year since 2000, including injured reserve lists, according to the database. Where as the American population has one arrest per 21 people per year (around 4,800 arrests per 100,000 inhabitants) and one arrest per 25 people age 18 and over, according to the FBI.

I just want to make this 100% clear, I’m not a parent but one thing I do know, is what is right and what is wrong. I’m also not preaching a boycott of professional sports, all I ask is one thing: To inform these younger generations that when their favorite player “messes up” that they know these players are just people like themselves; people with exceptional athletic ability.

2010 NFL Mock Draft First Round (11-21)

Here are the second installment for Shaft Sports 2010 NFL Mock Draft picks (11-21). Monday will be the final publication of picks (22-32). Let us know what you think!



#11: Denver Broncos (From Chicago): Rolando McClain, LB – Alabama

The Broncos look to strengthen their defensive unit after breakdowns in coverage’s and poor tackling cost them a few games last season. McClain would transition well into Denver’s 3-4 defense. His power and strength along with his ability to shed blockers would make him a good fit along side D.J. Williams. Other options could be Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant to replace recently traded Brandon Marshall but Bryant is a lot like Marshall in the attitude department.



#12: Miami Dolphins: Dan Williams, DT – Tennessee

Dan Williams was an anchor for the Tennessee Volunteers over the past three seasons, and would be an ideal fit for the Miami Dolphins. He’s a great run defender and can consistently cog the middle and get penetration. He’s got a nasty attitude and has the power to bull-rush defenders with ease.



#13: San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams, OT – Oklahoma

The 49ers made progress last season buying into head coach Mike Singletary’s philosophy. They have some weapons that could blossom into elite talent this season. San Francisco will need better protection if they have any chance at surpassing the Arizona Cardinals for tops in the NFC West. Trent Williams has good technique and translates well at right tackle with the ability he has to sustain blocks.




#14: Seattle Seahawks (From Denver): Jason Pierre-Paul, DE – South Florida

With Patrick Kerney getting long in the tooth, Seattle uses their second of two first round picks on the freakishly athletic defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul from USF. At 6’5, 270 lbs he has the ability to add more bulk as he matures. He has good range and natural quickness being able to run down defenders within the backfield.





#15: New York Giants: Kyle Wilson, CB – Boise State

The Giants are looking to get more out of their corners this season after a porous previous season. Kyle Wilson’s athletic ability in the return game is an added bonus. He’s lacks ideal speed but makes up for it with his quickness and his ability to close quickly on double-move routes.





#16: Tennessee Titans: Dez Bryant, WR – Oklahoma State

The Tennessee Titans will take risk with Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant because of his athletic ability. Paired with last years first round pick Kenny Britt, Bryant would give the Titans a legitimate target they haven’t had since Derrick Mason left years ago. The Titans have never had a problem selecting players with personal issues as they selected Adam “Pacman” Jones when he had issues brought up in his draft year.





#17: San Francisco 49ers (From Panthers): Derrick Morgan, DE – Georgia Tech

San Francisco will use their second first round selection to help improve their defense. Derrick Morgan is the best available player on the draft board and would step into and give the 49ers a good rotation player. He has the ability to play either defensive end or outside linebacker, making him more valuable because of his versatility.





#18: Pittsburgh Steelers: Maurkice Pouncey, C – Florida

Ben Roethlisberger was sacked a league high 50 times during last season. The Steelers need to improve their offensive line production and Maurkice Pouncey could be the answer. He can play either center or guard so his versatility is a bonus. Pouncey has been a four-year starter and has a good first step while being able to block larger defenders. He will see the field early and often.





#19: Atlanta Falcons: Taylor Mays, FS – Southern Cal

Atlanta finished 28th in pass defense for the 2009 season. They allowed an average of 241.9 yards against per game. Mays has size (6’3, 230 lbs), speed (4.43 forty), and athleticism which is a rare combination at the safety position. He’s an aggressive hitter and plays the run game exceptional. Mays would give the Falcons someone opponent’s receivers would fear across the middle.





#20: Houston Texans: Carlos Dunlop, DE – Florida

If Dunlop would have been a year old he would have easily been a top-ten draft pick during the 2009 draft. At an enormous 6’6, 277 lbs he is an exceptional run stopper. He also has shown flashes of being able to dominate the offensive line to get pressure on quarterbacks. Dunlop would be a great addition to a young and talented defense in Houston.




#21: Cincinnati Bengals: Earl Thomas, SS – Texas

In recent draft the Bengals have done a great job at improving their defense. They will continue this trend drafting Longhorns strong safety Earl Thomas. He is an excellent open-field tackler who has ball skills that give him big-play ability whenever he is on the field. The Bengals finished within the top ten in pass defense but can’t pass up a play maker like Thomas.