There’s been a few notable recent incidents of professional athletes shooting themselves in the foot.
Now, here, I am speaking in a metaphorical sense and referring to Grizzlies guard Ja Morant getting suspended for 25 games because he can’t stop waving guns around on Instagram Live, and Patriots cornerback Jack Jones facing decades in prison for trying to sneak guns through airport security in his carry-on. But going back a bit, I could also be speaking literally about NFL stars Plaxico Burress and Aqib Talib, who both actually did shoot themselves in the leg after a night out at the club (separate incidents, but weirdly similar).
What is going on here?
Now, before I dive in, I will acknowledge that it’s certainly possible that some of these athletes grew up in circumstances in which they were surrounded by guns, and as they grew up, felt the need to have one, just for their peace of mind. This could be deeply ingrained in their minds, and could provide an explanation for why they still feel the need to have and show guns, despite being in a place where they likely don’t need to. With that being said, it is still really, really stupid how these players have let guns hurt their careers.
Now, based on the 2nd Amendment, these guys certainly have the right to own firearms if they so choose, assuming the legality of their weapons. The fact that they own guns is not the problem here. Plenty of people, likely including many athletes, have guns and don’t needlessly flaunt them or otherwise engage in nefarious activities with them. Why do some athletes, who can afford to live in nice places, go to nice places, and if they still feel unsafe, hire security, still insist on being so irresponsible? I know they’re pretty young and still could be relatively immature, but it’s a little ridiculous.
A weird thing about the Ja Morant one is that he doesn’t seem to have the excuse of a rough upbringing. It seems as though he had a loving family and attended private school in a pretty nice area growing up, but get that man in front of the camera (his own phone) and all of the sudden he’s whipping out weapons like he’s Jonah Hill from War Dogs. It’s crazy to me that he’s a repeat offender of these shenanigans, too. He did something dumb, was warned not to do it again or he’d obviously face consequences, then did it again. You’re playing basketball for hundreds of millions of dollars. I certainly wouldn’t be doing anything that could potentially jeopardize that (if there are any NBA teams reading, I am willing to come off the bench and can shoot upwards of 7% on wide open threes… contact me).
Many people feel the same way as I do. The following tweet I found puts it eloquently:
Nicely said, Jack Jones. It would be great if everyone heeded your advice and carried their relationship with firearms by your principles…
Oh.
Tough look here for Jones after scolding Morant. After a promising rookie season, Jones was looking at a potential big contract in the coming years if he could keep locking up receivers. Now he should be worrying about a different kind of locking up; Jones faces up to 30 years, and a mandatory minimum of 2.5 years. He better hope he finds a good excuse. He insists (through his lawyers) that he had no intention of bringing guns to the airport that day, implying that he took the wrong bag or something of that nature. I really hope that’s true, not just because he’s a bright young player on my favorite team, but also because if he actually brought guns that he had illegally purchased, or that at least had illegal magazines, to the airport, then there is a level of stupidity that doesn’t bode well for our future as a species.
Unfortunately, Jack Jones’ history of disciplinary issues is not going to help him in arguing his innocence. He was dismissed from the USC football team for his grades at one point, suspended for conduct from the Arizona State football team, and, worst of all, has a previous arrest for commercial burglary of a Panda Express (no doubt for the General Tso’s Chicken), to which he pled guilty. Perhaps this time will be different and Jones will be found innocent, but again, it’s certainly a bad look.
Stop doing dumb stuff with guns in public. That goes for everyone, not just athletes. But come on, if you were an athlete who makes a ton of money, gets to play games for a living, and knows that you will constantly be in the public eye, just be above it. It’s that simple. I guess that’s easy to say as someone who has never been close to the fame or salary of professional athletes, and doesn’t have any desire to look cool on Instagram Live or test the efficacy of the TSA. But it’s kind of crazy to me that this is a trend.
Either way, I hope these guys can figure it out and try to pose more of a threat to opposing teams than the general public.