Is Pacman Jones A Victim Or Another Spoiled Athlete?

Just when critics of professional athletes had all ofto extort money out of them because of jealousy.
them, such as Pacman Jones, stereotyped as thugsSome absurd critics, like Skip Bayless of ESPN, have
and hoodlums, police in Las Vegas and Seattleeven stated that athletes should stay in their house at
dropped a bombshell on haters of the future Dallasall times except to practice their trade, because he
Cowboys cornerback.believes giving up your entire life is just a consequence
According to the Associated Press, Adam "Pacman"of fame and fortune.
Jones paid extortion money to Arvin Kenti Edwards,When the late Sean Taylor of the Washington
29, of Renton, Wash. who allegedly opened fire at aRedskins was murdered in his Florida home, reporters
strip club and paralyzed an employee during NBAscrutinized his checkered past and falsely believed that
All-Star Weekend on February 19, 2007 in Las Vegas.his death had something to do with the mistakes he
Las Vegas police said the two briefly met outside themade in the past.
club after Jones incited a melee. Shortly after the twoHowever, the alleged perpetrators had been invited to
parted ways, the alleged gunman fired shots towardsthe house by one of Taylor's family members and
the club.believed he would be an easy target for robbery.
According to the police, someone contacted JonesFor days his family, friends and teammates watched
about a week later and ordered him to pay "hushas his reputation was dragged through the mud by
money" or the alleged perpetrator would "go afterreporters eager to print an interesting story. Despite
Jones, his mother and daughter."the adversity, his family members held their heads high
"Jones pleaded no contest Dec. 6 in Las Vegas toas their loved-one endured persecution for being a
conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct in a plea dealvictim of a senseless crime that could have claimed
that reduced two felony charges of coercion, whichthe life of anyone of us.
each carried a possible sentence of one to six yearsWhen Durham, N.C. police arrested three Duke
in prison," according to the A.P. "In return, he agreed toUniversity lacrosse players for the alleged sexual
tell police what he knew about the gunman. Jonesassault of an exotic dancer, the media and public
never acknowledged any role in the shooting."quickly painted them as a bunch of snobbish elitist who
Subsequently, National Football League commissionerbelieved they could get away with "murder" simply
Roger Goodell for the Las Vegas incident and pastbecause of who they were.
transgressions suspended the newly acquiredThe public later discovered that the young woman
Cowboys cornerback. Jones is currently seekingfabricated the entire story and District Attorney Mike
reinstatement into the league.Nifong withheld evidence to gain favor with the Black
If the recent developments are true, did Jones reallycommunity of Durham, N.C. as he sought reelection.
do anything that warranted such harsh treatment fromIs Jones that latest victim of a society that is so quick
the league?to judge those with more financial means than the
In hindsight, many people would have responded theaverage American?
same way if their families were threatened.Truthfully, many athletes and entertainers are no
Often, we see athletes and entertainers involved indifferent from the average American. They were
extracurricular activity and many critics are so quick towilling to do anything to make a better life for them
"jump on the bandwagon" and paint them all with oneand their family. Unfortunately, many haters are also
big brush.willing to do anything to take that livelihood away from
In reality, when many haters see them, they instantlythem.
see dollar signs, and consequently they will do anything