Professional athletes are often revered by society for their physical abilities, talent, and hard work. Some athletes however are treated beyond admiration and are placed in the highest pedestals. Society has often overlooked wrongdoing of athletes due to their fame and popularity. According to the USA Today, out of 168 condemned athletes 2/3 were released and 6 were convicted compared to the “average” person that underwent the same accusation trial 80-85 % of the time and was convicted 90% the time in 2003. Since fame of professional athletes has not decreased over time it is safe to assume that these statistics have worsened. In 2009 Donte Stallworth a New Orleans Saint at the time, faced a 15 years sentence for manslaughter while intoxicated. However, in the plea agreement Stallworth was condemned 30 days in prison, where he only served 24 of those days. Manslaughter would be a life-time sentence for any other individual in America but not for Stallworth. Does the law validate impartiality with talent? Is it ethical to do so? When did society place entertainment before reason? Money and fame has found loopholes through society’s justice system. The worst part is that we as a society encourage these types of behaviors. We devour the media that feeds off of issues like this one.
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