Pro Athletes: Should They be Held to Higher Standards than the Rest of Us?

As the Atlanta Falcons were leaving the field this Sunday to ear shattering boos, after an upsetting loss to the New Orleans Saints, a frustrated Michael Vick shouted at the fans and then followed that with an obscene hand gesture.

Fox cameras caught Vick's reaction, but the press appeared unaware, which is why he wasn't questioned about the incident after the game, but the Falcons released this statement from Vick on Sunday night:

"First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate actions with fans today. I was frustrated and upset at how the game was going for my team, and that frustration came out the wrong way. That's not what I'm about. That's not what the Atlanta Falcons are about. I simply lost my cool in the heat of the moment. I apologize and look forward to putting this incident behind me."

Under the NFL's sportsmanship conduct rules Vick could be fined up to $5,000 for excessive use of profane language or obscene gestures, but should he be?

People lose their temper everyday, at home, at school, at work and even on the way to work, and they aren't fined for it so what makes pro athletes so different? Should they be unfazed by the behavior of unruly fans?

In every sport, not just football, you have rowdy fans. People that go to sporting events with the sole purpose of pushing the envelope. So should those fans be be held to rules of conduct just like the players and if they break them should they be fined?

Back in 2004 Texas Rangers reliever Frank Francisco was arrested after he threw a chair in the stands after allegedly being badgered by fans. After the incident Rangers manager Buck Showalter stated that the team had previous problems in the Oakland Coliseum to the point that the Rangers requested more security.

And I'm sure no one will soon forget the fight that broke out between several NBA players and fans at the Indiana vs. Pistons game back in 2004. Indiana's Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson stormed the crowd in the last few seconds of the game after over eager Detroit fans started throwing objects at the players. That incident led to a lot of negative press for the NBA, but it also lead to charges being filed against not only some of the players, but the fans as well. So how much is to much? What can be done, if anything to assure that not only athletes, but the fans as well act in a respectable manner? Whatever the solution is, it's going to have to be something that works for both fans and the players.

Over the years I heard fans say (to excuse their bad behavior),"Well those players should behave better, we're the reason their so rich." Well that might be so, but just because someone's paying you, does that mean they own you? Does that give them the right to degrade you? What if your boss decides to come over and smack you in the face for no other reason then he or she was in a bad mood. Should you take that abuse because their paying you to?

Yes, athletes should watch their behavior and show loyalty and respect to their fans, but fans should do the same in return. Some fans are more passionate then others about the sport they love, but you have to remember that these professionals are people to, just like the rest of us and their going to react just like the rest of us so try to keep that in mind the next time your at a game and you get the urge to throw out profanities or a chair.