Gross Stereotype and Double-Standard in Coverage of Pro Athletes Who Commit Crimes

Ok, it's time someone spoke on this growing epidemic in American media culture. Has anyone found it strange how ESPN and the NFL Network and other sports outlets latch onto ANY story that involves a Black athlete that does something wrong...no matter how minor the crime may be? He's immediatly black-balled in whatever profession he may be in and has to jump through hoolah-hoops to remake his image. Of course the strongest targets recently have been Michael Vick and Barry Bonds. Now, Bonds is tied to the steroid thing...and not nearly in the same boat legality-wise as Vick. But the sports media never misses an opportunity to slander him. Maybe to a certain extent he deserves it for being such an asshole for so many years, but there is a such thing known as overkill. Now, I'm not saying there's anything WRONG with athletes who commit crimes being covered in the news. I'm worried about the LACK of coverage given for crimes commited by "other" athletes. Case in point, Matt Jones, WR for the Jacksonville Jaguars who got slapped with cocaine charges. Last I read (after digging hard), he was allowed to have his case heard in drug court instead of the normal crimincal system to prevent any conviction on his record. When has ESPN or the NFL Network even covered this? Not saying they haven't...outside of a small blurb on the screen and non-chalant mentioning before moving on to more "important" news. Since when is getting caught with coke not newsworthy? Would the same benefit be given to a Black athlete? Somehow I seriously doubt it.

Another case, Jared Allen (also a football player). He's been arrested/charged with a DUI a total of 3 times! He was also caught twice within 5 months in 2006. He landed a big deal with Minnesota a short while later. I can't recall if he was forced to miss game-time under the Roger Goodell system which is supposed to be strict on athletes who get caught red-handed. I barely even remember hearing about this though. These are just two examples, I'm sure there are more if I dig hard enough.

..as what Bonds and Vick have done. The sports media has, to its credit, stuck it pretty good to Mark McGwire, to the point where it's virtually a lock he'll never make the Hall of Fame unless the vets vote him in.

... and steroid allegations that may taint the most coveted record in all of sports.