On The Tunney Side of the Street #199, Oct. 20, 2008 (www.JimTunney.com)

The recent physical altercation between Dallas Cowboys Safety Adam Jones (aka “Pacman”) and his bodyguard in a Dallas hotel at 1:30 AM (note: “Nothing good happens after midnight,” see page 55 in “It’s the Will, Not the Skill”) induced Jones’ indefinite suspension by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3646257&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines). Tim Montgomery, former Olympic Gold medalist and world record holder (at 9.78 seconds in the 100 meters) was recently found guilty for heroin dealing. Montgomery is already in prison, completing a 46-month sentence for “check-kiting.” http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24418822/ He fathered 4 children with 4 different women – one of whom was Marion Jones, the disgraced Olympic sprinter star, who also was stripped of her Gold medals, after being found guilty of using steroids. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21138883/

Tammy Thomas, former elite cyclist, recently was sentenced to six months home confinement for lying to the Grand Jury about her steroid use (http://cgi.cnnsi.com/2008/more/10/10/doping.thomas.ap/index.html). And, of course, former San Francisco Giants home run king Barry Bonds, who pleaded not guilty to 15 similar charges, is due in court next March with his six attorneys for alleged steroid use and perjury. Then we have the recent conviction for kidnapping, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, amongst other charges, for former NFL Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUNgbOr-2bnpFUX0MiII6je2CkRAD93QJK380). This brings a question to the forefront: Are those mentioned above-sports stars or athletes? How do you define “athlete?”

No disputing the physical prowess of Montgomery, Jones, Bonds, and/or Simpson, but, wait - this is NOT about them; they are merely today’s examples of how sports performers have squandered their talents and acclaim (along with the money that came with it) as well as disgraced themselves. No, this is about the question: Do these – and other sports performers who have fallen from grace – meet the criteria as “athletes” or are they merely “physically talented?”

Most dictionaries define “athlete” as: “one trained to compete in athletics involving exercises and games requiring physical skills.” No doubt that those named above qualify as “athletes” by that singular definition. But not in MY dictionary! I have been taught, and always believed, the definition of “athlete” embodies more than just “physical skills.” The following dozen attributes incorporate my definition of an athlete:

· Positive mental attitude
· Being a T.E.A.M. player
· Willingness to go the “extra mile”
· The Will to win (remember “It’s the Will, Not the Skill”)
· Loyalty
· Dedication
· Accountability
· Integrity
· Enthusiasm
· Trustworthiness
· Coachability
· Physical skills

Will you measure your sports stars as athletes only if they possess these characteristics?

On The Tunney Side of the Street #198, Oct. 13, 2008 (www.JimTunney.com)

Last month former – and disgraced – National Basketball Association Referee Tim Donaghy began a 15-month prison sentence on felony charges involving wire fraud and transmitting wagering tips through Interstate Commerce to gamblers on NBA games Donaghy refereed. The gamblers were ‘friends’ of Donaghy.(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2975532)

15 months? “Don’t you mean 15 years (Donaghy is 41)”? Nope! 15 months in a minimum-security Federal Penitentiary in Florida. Not only did Donaghy blemish the game of professional basketball, as well as all sports, more importantly, he damaged the INTEGRITY of officiating – at all levels. (http://www.probasketballrefs.com/Portals/0/Documents/PDF/Tim%20Donaghy%20Sentencing.pdf)

The “perception” of fans is often that officials “play favorites” – e.g. favorite players (super stars) and/or favorite teams (perennial champions); or that officials call “even-up fouls” in the event that an earlier call may have been called incorrectly. From my 40-year career in officiating, both football and basketball at all levels, trying to “even up” doesn’t work – much like trying to get your sideburns even when shaving! Yet, the perception (of favoritism) exists.

What is more disturbing than the absurd 15-month sentencing, is the accusation by Donaghy’s defense attorneys, as well as his father, that other NBA referees are involved in gambling issues. Gerry Donaghy, Tim’s father who, by the way, was a former college basketball referee, is “angry at the whole NBA” and said his son is “no worse than a lot of other people who should have been helped, not chastised, by the NBA.”
(http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2008-09-22-donaghy-questions_N.htm)

Donaghy Sr. said “there’s at least 10 other guys who are doing things – just as bad.” Gerry fails on a couple of counts: First, the recent NBA 14-month investigation report revealed “no other referee, other than Tim Donaghy, engaged in any illegal activity.” Second, Gerry (the father), who by the way agreed his son deserved the punishment, said the “NBA, especially Commissioner David Stern, should be “helping him (Tim) instead of chastising him’”. My question is: where was the father’s help in raising a son who fell victim to greed, moral and ethical offenses? Whenever we point a finger at someone, we must remember there are 3 pointing back at us.

We can only help and teach our children to do the “right thing.” We cannot ensure they always will. However, an attempt to implicate others in order to reduce the stigma of one’s misdeeds does not live up to the definition of taking responsibility.


Will you step up to take responsibility by doing the right thing?