I'd like to challenge the notion that professional athletes are nothing but thugs, criminals and all around bad guys. As a guy who has covered sports for three years and has always worn his love for sports on his sleeve that's one misconception that I hear from the average non-fan on a day-to-day basis.
For every Michael Vick, Adam Jones, Leanord Little and Ben Roethlisberger, there are a lot more guys who go out, do their jobs as well as a great deal of good in their community without ever receiving the recognition they deserve. Unfortunately we choose to sensationalize the bad that athletes do while barely recognizing the good that many others do.
We rarely hear about guys like Warrick Dunn who has helped purchase new homes for families who couldn't afford them. We can all name the quarterback currently accused of sexual assault, but how many people know the national spokesperson for The Wounded Warrior Project? For the record it's Johnny Damon. I can tell you from personal experience that Carl Crawford is one of the most soft spoken and humble guys you could meet. I can tell you that Carlos Pena is one of the most genuine and warm people you could ever meet. Not one of the most genuine and warm athletes, but people.
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2010.