Guns, Violence, and the NFL

Over 50% of National Football League players own guns. To me, this is a disturbing statistic, especially in a year that's seen several NFL player killed or convicted in a case involving the use of guns. This left me questioning why athletes feel threatened enough to carry a gun on them at all times. Sure, their wealth and high profiles make them easy targets for violence, but what about the athletes that consistently put themselves in these types of situations? This article discusses the use of guns and how professional athletes use them.

Most recently, Chicago Bears lineman had to be granted special permission by a Chicago judge to play in the Super Bowl after Johnson was charged with not having gun owner identification for six firearms that were found in his Chicago area home. Yes, I said six guns.

Just a few months ago, Denver Broncos star Darrent Williams was shot and killed when the stretched Hummer he was in was sprayed with bullets after leaving a nightclub. Reports suggest that someone that was in his party got into an altercation with the shooters while they were in the nightclub, and the shooters retaliated once they were outside.

TJ Slaughter, a linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was arrested for pointing a gun at motorists that pulled up next to him on the highway. Although, Slaughter did deny he pointed the gun he did say they had "threatened" him. No charges were filed, but the Jaguars cut him from the team.

These are just a few cases of guns and violence in professional sports. Well known coaches such as Bobby Knight have openly talked about carrying guns. High profile basketball players like Scottie Pippen and Allen Iverson have been arrested for illegal gun possession. Again, this is a small dose on a very large, disturbing list.

Why do professional athletes feel the need to carry around guns? With a physique and ego that is often it makes me curious as to why they feel threatened by crime. After all, I think that a woman carrying a child down a deep, dark alley is where fear should be placed. I also think it's fine to have a weapon at home as a source of defense in case there is a break in. It's no secret that because of a professional athlete's wealth and high profile they are easy targets for violence. Reports of crimes against professional athletes also don't cause much sympathy from the general public or news coverage because we often times feel they were doing something to deserve it. After all, that's a lot of muscle, testosterone, and attitude flying around and eventually someone at a club is going to bring them back to reality. It is for this reason that they arm themselves with weapons. I personally feel sympathy for the athletes because they are given boatloads of money and no direction or people to look out for their best interests.

That's where the league has to step in and play the parental role to the athletes. Currently, National Football League allows players to carry a firearm or weapon for protection, but they don't encourage it. They advocate "passive" behavior when confronted by a criminal. The NFL has also spent money on conducting seminars for athletes and their firearms, stressing how it's putting their family at risk by having a gun in the car. All teams around the league have forbidden players from having guns with them at stadiums or while traveling. It seems so simple. If you don't have a gun, then no one can get hurt. However, this rule doesn't apply for athletes when they are off the field. What about a situation like Darrent Williams? This misguided advice only hurts players and makes them much more vulnerable. I actually think tha t the players that violate the rules and get themselves in the newspaper with gun charges are doing the other athletes a favor by creating a perception to criminals that they will arm themselves despite what the league says.

While I believe athletes have the right to arm themselves, I think it's important for them to take responsibility and not put themselves in a situation that could be dangerous. For instance, going to a club every night and mixing alcohol with guns could lead to a dangerous situation. The league should take more time figuring out how the dangerous situations happen as opposed to offering a simple solution.