I tried using google to find the actual number of NFL players who have spent time in prison, the most relevant result was found on yahoo answers from two years ago and reads:
Rae Carruth: Carolina Panthers, conspiracy to commit murder, 24 years
Cecil Collins: Miami Dolphins, burglary, 15 years
Dwayne Goodrich: Dallas Cowboys, criminally negligent homicide (hit and run accident), 7 1/2 years
Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson: retired from Dallas Cowboys, sexual assault, bribery, 4 years, eight months (was released after 28 months)
Terry "Tank" Johnson: Chicago Bears, probation violation relating to weapons possession, 120 days
Jamal Lewis: Baltimore Ravens, using a cell phone to facilitate a drug deal, four months
Dexter Manley: Washington Redskins, drug possession, evidence tampering, 4 years (1996) 2 years (2002)
Byron "Bam" Morrism: Kansas City Chiefs, drug trafficking, 30 months
Eugene "Mercury" Morris: retired from Miami Dolphins, drug trafficking, 20 years (conviction overturned - reached plea bargain and released after serving 3 years)
Nate Newton: retired from Dallas Cowboys, drug trafficking, 7 1/2 years (two separate convictions), released after serving about two and a half years
Robert Rozier (a.k.a. Robert Rameses): retired from Arizona Cardinals, multiple murders, convicted of four murders, served 10 years and placed in witness protection after testifying against Yahweh Ben Yahweh, later sentenced to 25 to life on check kiting charge under three strikes rule
Art Schlichter: Indianapolis Colts, forgery, theft, others, 16 years
Alonzo Spellman: retired/cut from Chicago Bears, interference with a flight crew, simple assault, 18 months
Stanley Wilson Sr.: retired from Cincinnati Bengals, burglary, 22 years
Michael Vick: Atlanta Falcons, dog fighting, 23 months
Mercury Morris, Wide receiver for Miami Dolphins, 1970's, Cocaine charges
Plaxico Burress, Wide reciever for the giants, 2008, had gun without permit
We look at the league today and see two very famous examples - Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress. One man drowned, and electricuted dogs for sport (oh and had a bit of a gambling ring based on these dogs ripping each other to shreds) - the other shot himself with his own gun.
I mean besides the cruelty of Vick's sport and the idiocracy of Plaxico's - imagine they were Joe Shmoe. The same two men wouldn't be able to get a job bagging groceries at your local supermarket.
Criminals in the everyday world can't even get blue collor, non-degreed jobs, yet put them in a colorful jersey and they are adored by their fans who sport their jerseys, chant their names and pay upwards of $100+ to watch them play.
They drive luxury cars, get VIP tables, free meals, apparel sponsorships, millions of dollars to spend as they please and are worshipped by sports announcers on any given channel.
Ironic, right? Our kids read comics about people with supernatural powers and spend weekends intently posted up in front of the TV with us watching these criminal "superheros" who have the life they only dream of.
Now I wonder why ADHD and youth gang memberships are on the rise - let's face it - these "superheros" aren't doctors or scholars; why pay attention in school? These "superheros" torture animals and tout guns - could it be that criminality and professional athletes are interchangeable in the eyes of the naive, adolescense?
Who knows...either way, there is something seriously wrong with a country that idolizes someone like Mike Vick - and we can only blame ourselves for our own competitiveness and entertainment-seeking lifestyles that we are willing to ignore how absurd the actions of these criminal players are for a good team and a superbowl title.
