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?