Josh Hamilton Drinking Again...
In 2003 Josh Hamilton was banned from baseball for abusing drugs and alcohol, and it looks like he is at it again. This post isn't for bashing him, rather its for discussing how unfair it is that he has to go through his personal struggles publicly. Addiction is evil and having to struggle with that evil isn't something that someone should have to share even if they are in the public eye. He certainly shouldn't be judged for it and made a mockery by the media, but that seems to be the case. I know that professional athletes are public figures and they make insane amounts of money but does that mean they sell their right to have a personal life?
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-passan_josh_hamilton_suffers_relapse_020212
I do agree with you, athletes do deserve to have a private life to. With that being said, when becoming a professional athlete, you know what you are getting into. It's just like the issue about steroids. Being a public figure, you should try to be a good role model. Many athletes have been loved by others because of how they hold, or present themselves. I believe that if you are doing something to jeopardize your own image, the people that truly love and believe in you deserve to know the truth, especially if you are a public image. I don't know, it really could go either way. They also deserve to have their own privacy to.
ReplyDeleteKelly--
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great topic to have a discussion about. I loved Josh when he was a member of the Reds, and I was so happy that they gave him a 2nd chance. I think it's terrible that he is having to deal with this issue currently. As many of your posts have topics have, I think this is again putting a professional athlete in the limelight and making a huge deal out of something that happens to "regular" people all the time. I understand that he has had a history of abuse, but I do not think that even if you have had a history that you can't go out and have a drink (or two). He is an adult, human being and he has that right. Granted, I think the fact that he had to hide it is a little sketchy, but I still believe that if he has self-control that he should be able to make that choice without the media and society jumping all over him.
Heather
DeleteThat is exactly my point he is an ADULT and can make his own choices and shouldnt be scrutinized for it!