Success can often times be a double-edged sword in the current
climate of sports. After achieving a certain level of acclaim,
athletes can just as easily become targets of animosity as they are
of applause.
Success can often times be a double-edged sword in the current climate of sports.
After achieving a certain level of acclaim, athletes can just as easily become targets of animosity as they are of applause.
The most recent and worst example of the backlash is the tragic slaying of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who was gunned down in his home two weeks ago during an attempted burglary.
The culprits claim there was no intention to do Taylor harm, or his girlfriend and infant daughter who were hiding under bed sheets as he was killed. But if Taylor had not been a professional football player, well-known in the area and familiar with those apprehended for the crime, there is little chance his home would have been targeted in the first place. It would have held no greater allure than any other big house on the block.
Taylor isn’t an anomaly though. High-profile athletes have increasingly become victims of similar incidents over the past few months.
In the last six months, Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson, New York Knicks center Eddy Curry and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Antoine Walker – just to name a few – all were held at gunpoint in their own homes as thieves stole items such as cash, jewelry and cars. Luckily, none of these men and their families were seriously hurt.
Athletes in Gilroy have also become targets recently, although of lesser crimes.
I was interviewing Gilroy High running back Travis Reyes after practice recently and coaches interrupted us to notify him that someone had written comments – not fit to print in this newspaper – in paint on his car. He shrugged it off as no big deal and I was impressed with his composure. I walked away figuring it was just a dumb high school prank, an isolated incident.
Instead, it was a sign of things to come.
A little over a week ago, after the Central Coast Section Championship loss against Oak Grove, the haters climbed out of the woodwork again, this time to paint obscenities on the car of quarterback Jamie Jensen, blaming him solely for the defeat.
Coaches and parents were the first to return from San Jose City College to the GHS parking lot that night. They attempted to wash off the writing before bus-loads full of dejected players returned home to Gilroy. Unfortunately, the clean-up crew was unable to get rid of the despicable taunts before Jensen got off the bus, allowing the kid to see the worst school spirit has to offer.
It’s usually not too difficult for athletes to shake off taunts from another team’s players or fan bases, but to be blind-sided like that at home is something you don’t prepare for. Especially when the team had accomplished what no squad in school history had done before: a CCS finals appearance.
For those who committed the sissy act of vandalizing cars, there’s a chance they have had little to no athletic ability, and have taken those frustrations out on someone they envy. Maybe there’s more to it than I know. Regardless, there are few things more cowardly than messing with a guy’s car.
Last Wednesday, however, a small group of GHS athletes reversed roles.
Several football players, who have yet to be named, are suspected of burglarizing the boys’ locker room, reportedly taking clothes, jewelry, wallets and electronic equipment that totaled thousands of dollars.
The main victims appear to be members of the GHS boys soccer team. Among the items players had stolen that day were shoes. Many had to scramble to find new cleats to wear for an afternoon game against Archbishop Mitty upon finding their lockers looted.
This should not tarnish what the football team did this season. It sounds as if only a handful of idiots broke into the lockers and stole from their fellow GHS athletes. Whoever is found guilty of the theft, though, aside from dealing with the criminal charges, should be kicked out of all other GHS athletics this year.
If professionals athletes can be suspended for a season for poor off-field behavior, why not high schoolers?
Playing sports is a privilege, not a right.
It’s a shame when people feel they have to take from someone who is successful. It’s also a shame when people feel entitled, and think they can take from others because they’re successful,
It just goes to show you, success in sports can be a double-edged sword.
