Pros and Cons : The Criminals Who Play in the NFL

Rating:
Summary: Go ask Nancy?
Review: Although the authors' statistical methodology may not be perfect, the anecdotal material is hard-hitting. We are not talking mischievous hijinx here. This is some serious stuff. Why is this going on? Why isn't the NFL doing anything? Here are some excerpts:

A featured player's PR guy says: "But he's not any different than a lot of the other guys. He's a highly emotional kind of person, like a lot of ballplayers. You don't become a professional football player without a high level of testosterone running through your body."[p. 38]

The counselor whom the Cleveland Browns asked to counsel an alleged abuser and his fiance told her: "This is [his] lifestyle. He goes out every week and has to basically try to punish people on the field. He'll go after them and try to kill them. A lot of times he can't relate to coming home and not doing that to you when he's upset." [p. 153-154]

Rev. Jesse Jackson says: "By and large, we are seeing the end result of a long line of exploitation... Men being used who come out of very desperate straits, having extraordinary, exploitable, commercial talent. They are put on a pedestal in high school, removed from the earth and its responsibilities. Then they are recruited by the top colleges ... and study less difficult subject matter because they are actually working [for the universities.] These guys have been exploited from the time it was obvious they could jump higher and run faster. Athletes of stature don't walk on the ground and are allowed to play by different rules. Once their use is gone, they are no longer protected. But while they are playing ball, much of their behavior is cushioned. They are insulated from regular rules, attending classes, adhering to regular socializing processes." [p. 170]

So what's the solution? One would be tempted to try to dissuade one's children from idolizing some of the poor role models in the NFL for a kinder, gentler sport like figure skating. But then there's Tonya Harding.

Rating:
Summary: Bruising but imbalanced tale from NFL athletes' dossiers
Review: Benedict and Yeager describe a vast array of criminal patterns of dozens of current and former NFL players -- including some hideous and barbaric acts for which certain players suffered far too little (if any!) jail time. Because of the variety and brutality of the crimes described, more than the quality of the writing itself, the book is riveting reading; although there is a strongly sensationalistic, tabloid-style undercurrent to the whole piece which may repulse more careful readers. I finished this book with three outstanding impressions:

1) Far too little attention is given to the successful redemption of specific players who have stopped their criminal ways and become solid, admirable citizens (e.g., "Hollywood" Henderson or Cris Carter);

2) The writes make a convincing argument that the pampering which star players recieve in late childhood immunizes them (in their minds) from consequences for their actions; and

3) The authors clearly intended to be shocking at least as much for their own fame and fortune as for any noble social reform. After all, these criminal records are public, and were already well documented in the popular sports media.

Serious football fans and sociologists alike should read this book to learn of a surprisingly sinister element that is liberally sprinkled among Sunday's heroes. But while reading, cast a healthy dose of skepticism at the intent of the writers.

Rating:
Summary: Shocking
Review: The NFL loves to portray its players as gladiators on the field, but gentle giants off. Benedict and Yeager let us in on the truth, which is that the brutality doesn't end when the whistle blows. I was disgusted not only by the crimes revealed, but also by the lack of adequate punishment in most of the cases. This book is not always a page-turner, as the authors document many players' criminal histories in great detail, but it's a must for professional football fans who want to know the truth about Sunday's heroes.

Rating:
Summary: Worth every second spent- unbelievably captivating.
Review: This is a book that every sports fan with a conscience should read.

No. It doesn't say that "all football players are criminals," but it does say that the behavior of male athletes off the field is not highly scrutinized before they are in the professional ranks and even when iniscretions of players or coaches (often an understatement of some of the acts described in the book) are made public while an athlete is professional, the team wants the incident swept under the rug.

Parents of star high school male athletes need to see this book so they know what's going on in their students' high schools.

The stories hit you one after another. They may shock you, but after the shock wares off, you'll realize you're reading a classic investigative masterpiece that could bring about change, if the forces in the NFL are willing to listen to the authors.