| Just when critics of professional athletes had all of | | | | to extort money out of them because of jealousy. |
| them, such as Pacman Jones, stereotyped as thugs | | | | Some absurd critics, like Skip Bayless of ESPN, have |
| and hoodlums, police in Las Vegas and Seattle | | | | even stated that athletes should stay in their house at |
| dropped a bombshell on haters of the future Dallas | | | | all 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 a | | | | Redskins was murdered in his Florida home, reporters |
| strip club and paralyzed an employee during NBA | | | | scrutinized 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 the | | | | made in the past. |
| club after Jones incited a melee. Shortly after the two | | | | However, the alleged perpetrators had been invited to |
| parted ways, the alleged gunman fired shots towards | | | | the 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 Jones | | | | For days his family, friends and teammates watched |
| about a week later and ordered him to pay "hush | | | | as his reputation was dragged through the mud by |
| money" or the alleged perpetrator would "go after | | | | reporters 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 to | | | | as their loved-one endured persecution for being a |
| conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct in a plea deal | | | | victim of a senseless crime that could have claimed |
| that reduced two felony charges of coercion, which | | | | the life of anyone of us. |
| each carried a possible sentence of one to six years | | | | When Durham, N.C. police arrested three Duke |
| in prison," according to the A.P. "In return, he agreed to | | | | University lacrosse players for the alleged sexual |
| tell police what he knew about the gunman. Jones | | | | assault 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 commissioner | | | | believed they could get away with "murder" simply |
| Roger Goodell for the Las Vegas incident and past | | | | because of who they were. |
| transgressions suspended the newly acquired | | | | The public later discovered that the young woman |
| Cowboys cornerback. Jones is currently seeking | | | | fabricated 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 really | | | | community of Durham, N.C. as he sought reelection. |
| do anything that warranted such harsh treatment from | | | | Is 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 the | | | | average American? |
| same way if their families were threatened. | | | | Truthfully, many athletes and entertainers are no |
| Often, we see athletes and entertainers involved in | | | | different from the average American. They were |
| extracurricular activity and many critics are so quick to | | | | willing to do anything to make a better life for them |
| "jump on the bandwagon" and paint them all with one | | | | and 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 instantly | | | | them. |
| see dollar signs, and consequently they will do anything | | | | |