Kenny Britt became the 3rd athlete THIS WEEK to get pulled over for a DUI. On the surface you have to wonder if these guys don't watch the news or if they think the laws that govern our nation don't pertain to them. It seems inconceivable for the same mistake to be made on 3 different occasions in such a small period of time. Everyone knows athletes like to have a good time and as high profile, wealthy individuals it's their right to do so. The problem occurs when their appetite for fun and excitement endangers the lives of innocent people. Is there a solution?
Several leagues (including the NFL) offer a ride service wherein someone will pick up an athlete, drive them to their destination, and return them to their car when they are sober enough to drive. This may have been a good idea 10 years ago, but in today's social media crazy world athletes are super protective of their privacy. The less people that know their whereabouts and the company they keep the better. As the rapper Treach once said, "They do their dirt all by their lonely."
Other have advocated a team mandated service that the organization pays for. Again, 10 years ago this may have been a good idea, but athletes are paranoid. Why would you give your employer that kind of leverage in negotiations and information about what you do in your personal time?
We all know that athletes aren't going to stop drinking and who they are makes them easy targets. A bored police officer's favorite past time is run the plates on the fancy car that just passed by. That's not to condone the behavior of these athletes, but riding around in a Benz on 20's at 3:00 in the morning is going to draw attention (unless you're in Vegas or Miami). The sad truth is there is no plausible solution for this epidemic and we will hear this story at least 20 more times before the year is over. I only hope no one is seriously injured or worse the next time we hear it. You got any bright ideas for a quick fix?
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