Why Do Pro Athletes Lack Common Sense?

Well its official being a pro-athlete doesn't make you smarter. All I've heard about and read the last two days involves Michael Vick and his involvement with dog fighting. Vick has been a distraction all summer for the Atlanta Falcons with his off the field issues. I realize that Vick has not been found guilty of anything at this time and as the details continue to unfold it's possible that he in fact may not have had any involvement in dog fighting. What I don't understand is why Vick would buy a home and never pay attention to what was transpiring on the property. Additionally how could you miss the buildings behind the house painted black that were used to hold dog fighting matches?

If Vick was involved why would one of the highest paid athletes in Americas most popular sport need to be apart of such a hobby? Vick doesn't need the money and he doesn't need negative publicity so why would someone risk going to jail to watch two dogs fight until one is possibly killed? Of course this isn't the only off-the-filed distraction in recent memory. Fresh in the minds of everyone who's been paying attention are the incidents involving the Duke Lacrosse players, Pacman Jones, Kobe Bryant and many others. These athletes have put themselves in positions for others to take advantage.

The Lacrosse players were found not guilty and this came after their season was canceled and everyone judged them as guilty before all the facts were sorted out. These young men have to live with the fact that they were wrongly accused but found media-guilty because of the hype surrounding the scandal. It doesn't just go away and people don't just forget.

Pacman Jones took $80,000 into a strip club covered in a garbage bag. I'm sure he was just donating this money to the areas stripper fund as a good will gesture. Many people forget about Tom Urbanski the bouncer who worked part-time at the club who was shot and paralyzed. The only reason Urbanski worked at the strip club was to support his wife while she attended law school. This man almost lost his life and others could have as well because of the riot that broke out in the club after money had been flaunted by a pro athlete and a couple rappers (Nelly and Jermaine Dupree were also there). Of course Pacman could be innocent but then again why even put yourself in that position?

Almost daily you open a newspaper or read a story on a website that includes an athlete who's been involved in some type of crime. It could be drunken driving, dog fighting, weapons, etc. Kids look up to athletes and consider them role models. I even used to but the older I get I realize that many of these athletes are just overpaid and selfish. I would never encourage my daughter's to look up to a pro athlete; I will explain to them the importance of choosing friends and making the right decision. It boils down to common sense and good judgment which many people feel they are above. Put yourself in positions to be successful.

As an athlete you are under a microscope and should understand this prior to signing a contract for millions of dollars. If you are going to go out and have a few drinks then spend the $50 for a cab ride home. If you are an athlete you shouldn't have any automatic weapons in your home unless your sport involves the Olympics and a rifle. If your an athlete and you have a pet don't try to get it killed fighting other animals. Enjoy the good life that many of us lower income citizens are financing and if you feel the need to throw around money find a charity or buy a single mother a house for her and her kids. Some people have everything except common sense!