OT: ESPN article on Tony Washington
Just read an interesting article on Tony Washington on ESPN. I wasn't familiar with the story and thought it was an interesting one. Not the best-written article, but a powerful story of the struggles some athletes face in their personal lives and the mental strength it takes to rise above them. Anyway, just thought a few of you might enjoy this. If nothing else, it will be 15 minutes less of the agonizing wait for UConn.
August 28th, 2010 at 8:13 AM ^
I can't help but feel bad for the guy. I just skimmed the article but what I took from it was this: he had sex with his sister when he was 16 and now will likely never get a shot to play in the NFL because of it.
Now banging your sister is pretty messed up, but I don't think it's something that should ruin his life, if it was consensual and he was only 16. Sad story. I really hope some team does give him a shot.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^
It was a nice break from the waiting. I found the article pretty interesting. I just don't know where I stand on the issue. I think he should be allowed to play football. It was a mistake as a child, and he deserves a second chance.
However, I'm torn on the sexual criminal aspect of it. Having sex with your sister is pretty f'ed up and things like that are hard to forgive. However, if noone ever told you it was wrong (Blue Lagoon, anyone?). Grrr, it's too early to think.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
Wait, they were brother and sister in Blue Lagoon? I never knew that. Sick, dude.
August 28th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
... it's a matter of being able to accept that it happened and moving on. The accepting is still tough, but we do tolerate far more destructive behavior as a society that we're willing to accept. Ugh, you're right too early for thinking... must drag self to gym now.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:26 AM ^
Specifics of the case aside for a moment, I think Mr. Washington's situation is all about fear and focus groups. Unfortunately for him, he's involved himself in one of the USA's perpetual third-rail issues (anything related to sex). Aside within an aside: Remember how quickly Ray Lewis was rehabbed after his little Super Bowl party incident in 2000? Violence has been and always will be another matter.
It's not hard to imagine how the focus groups (for advertisers and maybe fans) reacted to general questions on this issue. His entry into a corporatized game like the NFL won't be easy.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^
I have no issue whatsoever with the laws regarding real child molesters, but this guy is by all evidence not the typical case, and a presiding judge should have had the latitude to impose a sentence that was less punitive.
August 28th, 2010 at 1:16 PM ^
I enjoy your words.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
Not that I would condone having sex with your sister, but they're not really hurting anyone other than themselves, so it feels kinda messed up that they would be in the same category as legit perverts. Especially considering Washington's past.
August 28th, 2010 at 5:10 PM ^
You know, I mean, every society has their own rules about this stuff. For instance, in some states, it’s legal to marry your own cousin. California’s blocked it twice, but that’s only because they tacked it onto an estate law thing that wasn’t gonna pass. We had the signatures.
August 28th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
That's pretty messed up and sick. I don't think any team wants to sign him and deal with all that bad press.
August 28th, 2010 at 11:03 AM ^
That's understandable, but part of the point of the article is that if that's true, why does someone like Big Ben who's done something just as bad (possibly multiple times) keep getting chances? Right now he's the poster child for "bad press" and the team hasn't even gotten rid of him. The story explains Washington's extremely troubled childhood (including some apparent but unexplained sexual abuse by "close relatives"), and I'm not sure how you go from that to sex with your sister, but the fact is that it's over and done (and something he did as a minor) and I think most importantly it wasn't rape. Whatever punishment he should receive for that shouldn't include being shunned by the NFL, that's extremely, extremely hypocritical. That's why in the story his agent is incredulous that nobody wants to give him a shot, and I think he's got a point. Interesting story either way.
August 28th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^
Man that story really puts life into perspective. I believe he should get a second chance. Growing up in a situation like that would fuck any of us up. Big props to him for turning his life around. Hopefully someone gives him a chance because it's often the players with chips on their shoulders that bring it the hardest in training, and on the field. Good luck Mr> washington.