Lame Sports

Bonds and Vick: A Tale of Two Athletes

By Ross Weingarten

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and it’s time to reflect on all of the wonderful, inspiring stories that can be found all around the sports landscape today. There are so many, but a few that come to mind include Tony Romo’s ascension to NFL royalty from literal obscurity, the beautiful intermix of talent and new-found humility that is the Boston Celtics today, and the eternal hope found on campuses all around the country as college basketball teams gear up for another exciting march to the Final Four. No matter what you think of the teams involved, there are so many stories about athletes that force you to stop, smile, and remind yourself why you are so fond of these sports.

But alas, not everything in the sports pages is positive. The last few months have seen a number of scandals that make us question the innocence and sanctity of professional sports. Spygate, the A-Rod affair and the very existence of everyone associated with the New York Knicks also make us stop, but this time to wonder why we follow athletes and teams so religiously when they can act so selfishly and, at times, maliciously.

Two alarming stories have captured headlines, however, and while there are similarities between the two, they are also quite different. The Michael Vick dog-fighting saga transformed one athlete from a beloved figure and the pride of Atlanta into an animal-killing brute. And Barry Bonds, always a controversial figure, was recently indicted by the federal government on perjury and obstruction of justice charges, and seems headed for trial. Two superstars, two crimes (one admitted and one alleged), but both say a lot about this country and how we think of our professional athletes.

From the moment the Vick case broke, it seems as if the quarterback knew he made a grave mistake. He cooperated with law enforcement, and soon after, plead guilty to a number of charges. He gave a heartfelt, emotional apology that was convincing because it didn’t appear to be from an agent or a marketer or a lawyer, but from Vick himself. He even took a PETA course on animal safety and, according to reports, was cooperative and passed with flying colors. Recently, the former Virginia Tech star turned himself into authorities to begin serving his sentence early, further proof that he wants to do his time and put this ordeal behind him. Vick has admitted his mistakes and, most importantly, has meant it.

Bonds has taken a different approach. While he has never officially tested positive for steroid use, I would venture to say that most Americans believe that he took illegal substances. Bonds ballooned from a lithe leadoff hitter to the gargantuan slugger that he is today. It is true that Bonds has always been a great player, and his talent is undeniable regardless of whether or not he took steroids, but there seems to be little doubt that he did get caught up in the juicing craze of the early part of this decade. When asked numerous times, both by a grand jury and by reporters and fans, Bonds has denied all knowledge of steroid use. He has remained the prickly recluse that he has always been, never admitting a mistake and often going on the offensive with those that inquire about steroids.

The two divergent responses by Vick and Bonds speak volumes not only about who they are as people, but about what we, the general public, value and admire. If you believe that Bonds took steroids, then it is safe to say that both athletes made mistakes (if you don’t then I encourage you to find a highlight tape of the 1987 Pittsburgh Pirates). Both missteps are serious and career threatening, but both are recoverable. Vick has owned up to his crime, apologizing to his fans and cooperating with authorities. He will spend time in prison, and if he’s lucky, be in an NFL uniform in 2009. While the quarterback still faces some vitriol, the coverage of his case has calmed dramatically, mostly because he has given reporters little on which to report. I believe that many Americans have or will forgive Vick. Yes, he made a mistake, but he will pay for it and my guess is that he can regain some of his fortune and fans if he continues to be forthright and stay out of trouble.

Bonds continues to play dumb. He has denied taking steroids and, if he did, says he didn’t know it. That’s hardly believable, as every athlete, especially a world-class one, is meticulous about what he or she puts in his or her body. If he took illegal substances, he knew it, and then lied to a grand jury about it. Now, Bonds appears headed for trial. In front of the court and the world, he will have to explain his case. Americans seem to be mad at Bonds not for taking steroids, but for lying about it and brushing off allegations. After all, superstars such as Jason Giambi admitted to taking banned substances and he is still cheered in New York. Bonds either believes that in fact he is innocent, or that coming clean and asking forgiveness is beneath him. The federal government believes that he has lied under oath before. If Bonds wants to salvage any part of his already-tarnished legacy, let’s hope he doesn’t do it again.

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