How sports, real life intersect

Greed.

Egotism.

Physical abuse.

Cover-up.

Dereliction of duty.

Win at any cost.

The aforementioned terminology might well apply to much of what is occurring in today's business world and in segments of our government.

But, just recently, these words and phrases have been associated -- once again -- with sports and sports figures.

The latest athletic program scandal centers on Ohio State University and its head football coach, Urban Meyer, who was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 1 because he failed to inform university officials about domestic abuse allegations made against his former receivers coach, Zach Smith, by Smith's ex-wife, Courtney, in 2015.

Meyer's contract mandates that he tell OSU administrators about any such incidents that might involve players or other persons connected to the football program.

Although OSU fired Zach Smith on July 23 after the university became aware that Courtney Smith had filed an order of protection against her ex-husband, school officials are investigating Meyer's initial statement that he knew nothing about the 2015 abuse assertion.

Text messages between Meyer's wife, Shelley, and Courtney Smith about the latter's claims from three years ago indicate otherwise.

Meyer may have won two national championships at Florida, but he left that program in tatters. Now, his future at OSU is still in limbo, but his reputation has been further tarnished by his own poor judgment.

Sadly, this appears to be another case of the sports world's "protectionism" of what many at its highest level hold most dear -- high rankings, conference domination, supersized and super grandiose facilities, consistent championships, and more and more money pouring into its coffers.

Before anyone has a "hissy fit," let me say that I am a sports fan. I always have been. I learned a lot about various sports from my Dad. I do understand the pressure college athletic directors, coaches and boards of trustees are under to succeed on this front.

But, I do decry what is happening and has happened on numerous campuses with regard to sports programs -- academic cheating, illegal recruiting, maltreatment of athletes, sexual assaults by players, game violence, steroids, trash-talking.

We all want our favorite teams and alma maters to do well on the playing fields and on the court. What we do not want is an abandonment of ethics, sportsmanship, following the rules and obeying the law.

Have we not learned anything from the Penn State child abuse horrors perpetrated by Jerry Sandusky and overlooked by the late coach Joe Paterno and some school officials?

Have we not gained any insight from the Baylor University Board of Regents failure to act on reports of football players' sexual assault convictions and allegations that took place from 2012-2016, but ultimately resulted in the firing of coach Art Briles and the resignation of BU President Kenneth Starr?

Have we already forgotten about how many young gymnasts suffered because of the wrongdoings of Larry Nassar, Michigan State, and USA Gymnastics?

We should all remember that life is team sport, but countless individuals suffer when people in charge abdicate their responsibilities.

Editorial on 08/19/2018

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