Sex, drugs and major athletes

Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. \nSince the Beatles released “Love Me Do” in 1962, those three words began a love affair that would develop and become a phrase that was socially accepted all over the world. Generation after generation of the music scene’s greatest artists have been under the influence of everything from marijuana to LSD and, in light of the resultant creativity, the social crackdown on drug use is limited.\nBut has the social acceptance of drug use gone a little far? It is possible, especially if we consider replacing one of the words. Try this on for size: sex, drugs and major athletics.\nSince IU basketball recruit Bud Mackey was arrested Friday on drug trafficking charges, the IU community was slapped in the face again with the idea that drugs have infiltrated the college sports world. Mackey, who was released on $10,000 bond Saturday morning, has still not been proven guilty and as such should be considered innocent. But the news reports in the major media do little to quell the fans’ concerns as they watch athlete after athlete accused or convicted in drug-related issues. \nIn this “drug” culture that is building within major athletics, beginning in high school and making its way up to professional sports, athletes are dehumanized. How many IU basketball fans’ immediate response was “Damn, we just lost ANOTHER recruit?” \nI know that, upon reading headlines concerning Mackey’s arrest, this was my initial reaction. But after reflection, my opinions changed. How sad is it that as a sports culture we are more concerned with Mackey as an athlete and the success he might bring our program than we are with him as a person?\nBy no means is it proper to condone actions of this nature, and athletes who take part in them should be punished accordingly if found guilty. However, in a high school and NCAA sports system that vaults basketball and football players to the levels of gods, what can fans expect? \nThe pressure of such a venerated position in the highest level of amateur competition and eventually in the professional level – for those who might have the honor of obtaining such stature – must be heavier than many fans can imagine. And if from the first snap of the ball or first swish of the net athletes are taught that they are almost untouchable, pushing the line seems a natural, albeit rebellious, action.\nBut who takes the time to stop and wonder about athletes’ health when a drug case emerges? Not many, no doubt, as the system asks only for production. If an athlete cannot produce, for whatever reason, he is tossed into the blowing wind that will take him to the land of underachievers.\nPerhaps a better way to combat the problem of sex, drugs and major athletics is to identify the root cause of the issue instead of immediately crucifying those who might have a problem.\nIn a win-above-all-else sports world, that tactic seems unlikely. And those who are never caught, though they might be using, will become more famous than many will ever imagine.