It was quite interesting for me to scan the sports news yesterday, for there, and in just a few hours we saw two different athletes make decisions and reap the ethical consequences of those decisions. They are both very gifted athletes and play in the NFL. And they both share ethical tales with very different endings.
The first player, 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, was going on a trip and at the San Francisco Airport, he was selected for secondary screening before boarding a flight. I have gone through that inconvenience myself, and so too several associates. It’s not that I enjoy the process, but it takes a few seconds, TSA is courteous about it and you go on your way. When they asked Smith, age 24, if he wouldn’t mind having his carry-on searched he instead got belligerent. In fact, after being searched he told the agents he had a bomb and then he walked away. Naturally, TSA didn’t like that and he was descended upon by several agents who led him away in handcuffs while he continued his verbal confrontation.
Before we leave Mr. Smith’s story, it is worth mentioning that he was arrested on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession in September 2013 and in June 2012 he was also charged with three felony weapons counts and was also arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in January of 2012. He was out of football for awhile getting help with his substance abuse problem.
The second tale is about Seattle Seahawks running back Christine Michael. It is also about a beautiful young woman named Taylor Kirkwood. Taylor was not only born with autism but scoliosis. Fortunately, her scoliosis was surgically corrected a few years ago, but due to her autism her ability to speak or to express herself is limited. Nevertheless, her mother was determined that her daughter should go to the senior prom (her mom, by the way, is also amazing).
Taylor’s mom bought her a beautiful pink prom dress. At the same time, a family friend got the idea to reach out to an old friend. He reached out to Mr. Michael, who many of us watched in the Super Bowl. They asked him if he would consider taking Taylor to the prom.
In no dimension would we expect a young man of Christine Michael’s wealth and social life to accompany a young autistic woman to her high school prom. But guess what? He went out and bought a pink shirt and a pink bow tie to match Taylor’s dress and he took her to the biggest event of her senior year.
Naturally, the media caught up to the football player and his date. In an interview with a Houston television station (the prom took place in Houston), the NFL star said: “I’m just here for Taylor. It’s a blessing. Like I said, she’s a beautiful kid. I’m very proud of her.” In another television interview he said: “There is nowhere else I would rather be.”
Who teaches athletes – and what do they learn?
This is not a story of good versus evil. It is a story of choices and consequences. I don’t know either man; I only know their actions. Smith’s actions showed him to be immature and perhaps he has more than his fair share of self-entitlement. I don’t know who taught him that his actions didn’t matter. My guess is no one. I might also guess that his attitude is one that believes that all of his problems are due to other people but not himself.
He is about to learn differently. I expect he will be punished by the league, by his team and ultimately by the judicial process.
Michael has a heart. Maybe parents, mentors, coaches and friends have told him that in life his choices do matter. He heard the message that he is a gifted athlete; that he was profoundly blessed. It translated what he has learned into his reaching out to a young woman who was born with a badly deformed back and autism. This prom, this moment, may be the highest point in Taylor’s life. Mr. Michael knows that. The two will forever be bound by a bond of unconditional love.
3.5 Years
Both athletes are young and full of life. They are not equally filled with promise. The playing life of the average professional football player is 3.5 years. It can be an incredible platform or it can turn into a badge of shame. Personally, I grow tired of the stupid sports analogies that talk of football’s violence and how games are like war. I know football is a violent sport. But even soldiers must come back from war.
Aldon Smith somehow had been led into believing that his tough guy persona would impress TSA or the police or even a future employer. It will not. Off the field, his entitled approach will label him a jerk. And as for Christine Michael, he is off to a great start in life. He will do well.
Choices matter, but making good decisions is not an instinct; it is something that must be taught. We need better teachers – and more of them.