Ray Lewis, OJ Simpson, Kobe Bryant. Three high profile sports stars, three men known for athletic prowess and greatness, three men who have been accused of heinous crimes. Lewis and Simpson were cleared of those criminal charges and we know that this is just beginning for Bryant. So what if Kobe is found not guilty? Everybody and their brother have a theory on what will happen if he is found guilty, but what if Kobe is acquitted? It could happen, you know. It is possible that Kobe is telling the truth and what he did, while morally wrong, was consensual and therefore legal. To that end, my next question is this … will it matter? My answer? No.
Our legal system is predicated on the premise that you are innocent until proven guilty. However, it is really amazing how when a star of this magnitude is in trouble with the law, that tenant is reversed. It is also amazing the number of people who all of a sudden become legal experts. "Oh I just know he did it!!" The O.J. Simpson trial was arguably one of the biggest trials of the 20th Century. People were riveted to their television sets on a daily basis to see this once beloved football hero fall from grace by accusations of a horrific double murder. Even now, nine years later, people still talk about it and most of them are saying the same thing. He got away with it. Folks, let me clue you in on something, only three people know for sure and two of them aren't talking.
Ray Lewis was outside an Atlanta dance club during Super Bowl 2000 and some of his entourage got into a scuffle with some others and a man ended up dead. Lewis was acquitted of any wrong doing and picked up his career where it left off as the pre-eminent defensive player in the N.F.L. However, media types like Jim Rome and opposing fans around the league still like to drag out the "murderer!" chant at games ever since.
Now there is Kobe Bryant, unless you have been under a rock, you know the charges that are facing the young Lakers star Bryant. He has been accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old Colorado woman in his hotel suite earlier this summer when he was in the area for knee surgery. Kobe's next court date is October 9 and the trial may not even start until March of next year. But quite a few basketball fans, most of which are anti-Laker, have already acted as judge, jury and executioner. Of course, there is the opposite end of the spectrum were there are those Laker fans who will not believe that Kobe could have possibly done this. I understand that. If it were a Spur, I would not want to believe it either. However if it was a Spur and he was found guilty, I would want him gone.
So what if Kobe is cleared of all charges? Again, sadly, it will not matter. Perception is reality in today's sports world. If Kobe is exonerated, people will claim that it was because he was Kobe. They will say this is yet another example of a spoiled, rich athlete to whom the rules do not apply. It will not matter that, per our legal system, a jury of his peers would have acquitted him. It will not matter that the accusations were not proven. He is a famous athlete so that had to be why he got off. Our system of justice has flaws but in the world today, there is no better system. People always cry for justice, yet do not want subscribe to the primary tenet of that justice -- innocent until proven guilty.
I bleed black and silver through and through and stick with my team no matter what, as all good and true fans should. However, I am also a fan of basketball. And while I do not root for other teams or players, I respect their talents and accomplishments. It is because of that I hope Kobe did not do the things of which he is accused. While I do not know the man personally nor claim to like a lot of fans "who just know Kobe" without actually meeting him, I respect his talent. Until now, his record was clean and he was a good role model for children. He may or may not be found innocent of these crimes, but the damage as a role model has been done and may be permanent. If he did commit these disgusting crimes, then I hope they lock him up for a long, long time. No second chance, no parole, go straight to Hell. That being said, I will respect the system and allow Kobe his day in court. Innocent until proven guilty.
P.S. You may have noticed a two-week absence of Confessions recently. Sadly my Grandmother passed away two weeks ago and things have not been easy for my family and I. I want to take this opportunity to thank our editor-in-chief, Kori Ellis and her wonderful husband LJ for their support during this time. Kori's first and foremost concern was my family and myself. She is a true friend in every sense of the word. Finally, to Grandma Bea, we love you and you will live in our hearts always.
