Sentencing just occurred in the Barry Bonds obstruction of justice case involving his use of steroids and then committing perjury regarding his actions. Though he wasn’t given any jail time – his punishment amounting to 30-days of house arrest, probation and community service – Bonds is appealing the decision, further delaying execution of the sentence. Here’s a link to the story Yahoo! recently published: Barry Bonds Steroid Perjury Trial.
The 2011 National League MVP, Ryan Braun recently tested positive for a banned substance and is in danger of starting the 2012 season with a 50-game suspension. Braun responded by calling the positive test B.S. Thought Bonds has always been an above average player, the physical change that took place throughout his playing career (along with Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire), make it easy to doubt his professions of innocence. Braun on the other hand, though athletic in appearance, doesn’t have the bulky look that Canseco portrayed in his career.
Then Victor Conte, founder of steroid drug company BALCO, says that the current MLB testing protocols are easily beatable depending on the time of day drugs are injected. Even going so far as to say that performance enhancers don’t need to be injected, or even ingested, but can be absorbed through the skin via a patch.
I’ve blogged many times about the legacy we leave behind. The athletes that I have the most respect for, are those that played for the sheer love of the game. They’ve not only never tested positive for PED’s, but they have consistently been known by their desire to reinvest what they’ve been given into the community. There was an article in the most recent issue of Sports Illustrated discussing 
what it was like to photograph some of the most famous athletes in history. The two at opposite ends of the spectrum? Barry Bonds and Cal Ripken Jr. After taking pictures of Bonds, the photographer was told that if any photos were used, he could expect to be sued. Ripken, on the other hand, had the exact opposite attitude, offering to do the shoot after a double header in Baltimore – because it offered the best lighting for the photos. Exhausted after the game, then posing over an hour for photos, Ripken ended his evening by falling asleep in the dugout.
Far too many athletes take the attitude of Rod Tidwell 
(from Jerry Maguire), simply looking for the bigger, better deal. Who is going to give them the most lettuce. Is this the message we want communicated to future generations? I’ve been surprised by how many high school athletes think they’re bound for the draft. Education takes a back seat to a payday. They investigate colleges on the merits of the likelihood they’ll get noticed by a scout. Though there are some exceptions to the rule, the “dollar mentality” is widespread.
This idea isn’t just unique in professional sports. In all areas of life – church, school, work, where we shop – we’ve become more focused on how our environment and actions affects us, rather than how we can impact the lives of those around us. We differentiate ourselves from others, rather than finding commonality and learning from others, even when we may disagree with them. There is little humility in this attitude or behavior.
What kind of legacy are you leaving?
What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
Are these to things different? Chances are, the answer to that question is yes. Why?
