DownSwinging.com

When Rick Pitino addressed the media tonight to discuss his allegation of extortion against Karen Sypher, his name became part of a growing list of high profile athletes and sports figures who have been involved in detrimental relationships that have turned disastrous. Over the past six years top class athletes such as Kobe Bryant, members of the 2006 Duke Lacrosse team, and most recently Steve McNair and Ben Roethlisberger have allegedly been involved in serious sexual indiscretions. Frequently these incidents have been the result of extramarital affairs. To date, none of the aforementioned sports icons have been convicted of any crime, but infidelity carries its own consequences, as the desperate events that have taken place in the McNair family demonstrate only too tragically.

For Pitino, his brief relationship with Sypher also carries added ramifications. As a future Hall of Fame Division I college basketball coach, Pitino has an ethical responsibility to lead by example. 6 years ago he did his family, his faith, and his University a disservice by straying from his values. Pitino’s “indiscretion” is the latest of a worrying number of related cases and raises questions for not only the Louisville coach, but also for athletes nationwide. First, what affect will this have on Pitino’s reputation as both a coach and a person? Earlier today, the PTI crew made a very good point when discussing this very question. As notable sports figures face similar problems at an increasing rate, the follies of one man begin to fade as new stories are revealed. For example, just a few years ago Kobe Bryant looked like he would leave Los Angeles as a disgraced hero. Shortly after winning three NBA Championships with the Lakers, Kobe was nearly exiled from the city that once adored him. His self-defeating behaviorbincluded driving both Shaq and Phil Jackson from LA, before subsequently demanding a trade and creating a massive off-the-court distraction with his rape trial. Today, one NBA championship later, Kobe is once again the golden boy of Los Angeles. Should Pitino make a National Championship run this upcoming season he may similarly rehabilitate himself with a fan base that he has misled.

Second, what can be attributed to the spate of accusations of sexual transgressions amongst major sports stars? Is it an issue of over-confident, ego-inflated chauvinists? Or are women targeting athletes at an ever-growing rate, pining for both the large cash influx that often results from settlement and a spot in the limelight? Or are the misdeeds of athletes merely a high profile reflection of societies dwindling moral attitude towards honesty in human relationships?

In all likelihood, each of these factors may contribute to the problem at hand. But ultimately, men like Rick Pitino and superstars like Kobe Bryant and Steve McNair need to step up and deal with adversity – with honesty. As Pitino preaches to his players every week, a mistake that is solved honestly and with integrity becomes a part of your past. Maybe if Pitino had followed his advice six years ago, this “indiscretion” wouldn’t be a part of his future.