Much Ado About Nothing?

Over the past few weeks, the professional sports scene in America has become riddled with controversy. As Barry Bonds moves closer and closer to breaking Henry Aaron's career home run record, Major League Baseball has had to deal with questions regarding the legitimacy of the new record due to Bonds' alleged steroid use. The NBA recently received word from the FBI that one of its referees, Tom Donaghy, has allegedly been betting on NBA games (including games that he worked). The NFL is dealing with the recent indictment of one is its most prolific stars, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Vick has allegedly been invloved in an illegal dogfighting ring.

The reaction in newspapers and on TV talk shows has largely been that of outrage. People feel as though the whole pro sports world is crashing down into a pile of ruins. My question is: Why do we even care? Don't get me wrong, I love sports. I have played sports for as long as I can remember and I have been a loyal fan (mostly to Bay Area teams). The fact of the matter is that the United States has become obsessed with sports to the point that we don't know what is important anymore. Instead of worrying about whether Bonds took steroids or not, why not worry about the thousands of people addicted to illegal drugs in our country? Why don't we reach out to help them? Why don't we reach out to those with gambling problems? Instead of dealing with real issues, we worry about the behavior of men who make millions and millions of dollars every year just so they can entertain us by playing games. Think about the lives that could be saved and the problems that could be eradicated with the combined salaries of all the athletes in the NBA, NFL, and Major League Baseball. If the numbers were calculated I guarantee you would be blown away.

I wish that Americans would realize that while millions of dollars are spent to compensate mostly immature men while they play games, millions of people are dying because they can't get food or the proper medication. These lives can be saved, but for now it seems as though we will choose to debate over whether so-and-so is guilty or not and the effects it will have on whatever game.

"If all of us did what was in front of us,

think of how many problems we would solve.

If each of us would take care of a neighbor,

sit and talk with someone who is lonely,

or feed someone who is hungry,

think of what a better world this would be."

Tony Hall, Changing the Face of Hunger