Personal accountability needed for athletes who break the law

I am writing with respect to the recent and reoccurring front-page coverage of varsity athletes who get in legal trouble. Several weeks ago and multiple times last semester, varsity athletes who broke the law wound up on the front-page and a public back lash from athletes, coaches, and professors ensued.

As a varsity athlete myself, I am writing to say, like it or not we are public figures and are therefore subject to greater public scrutiny. When public figures break the law they get put on the front page, i.e. Jamal Lewis, Steve McNair, etc.

Bottom line, that’s just how the love/ hate relationship between public figures and the media works. Furthermore we are representatives of the institution that houses us, feed us, and sustains us all.

We have a responsibility to behave with decency and keep ourselves out of trouble. UTM athletes, especially those who receive more attention and publicity are looked up to around campus and in the community. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that our image gets tarnished every time a police report comes across in to student affairs.

Next time one of us starts to drive after a few drinks, roll a joint, or pull a gun on someone think about the impact it will have on you, your team, and your university.

That being said, The Pacer ought to put positive stories about student-athletes on the front page as well. Hopefully all of us will think before we act next time, knowing that if we screw up, everyone is going to know about it.

James Clapper Cross-Country Runner Nashville

Athletes are ambasadors for the rest of the university

I am writing this letter in response to Darrin McClure’s letter blasting The Pacer for putting UTM athletes on the cover due to law breaking conduct. First off, let me say this: My opinions reflect none of my employer, the Weakley County Press.

However, I do believe they reflect the opinions of many within UTM and the community.

UTM is a publicly funded institution that receives private donations from members of the community on occasion. I believe that not only is this front page news, but the young man should have used better judgment considering the public eye he is in.

As a tax paying Tennessean, I want to see where our educational money goes and when someone committee an offense such as driving drunk, the public deserves to know.

Sports belong on the sports page until the athlete, who is considered an ambassador of our university and the athletic department particularly, commits a crime that puts the public at risk.

Examples: Kobe Bryant, Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis, etc. Whenever anyone especially a publicly funded student athlete is caught drinking drunk, I personally want to know. I want the problem handled and the athletic department in the public eye, so the department is kept in check by “John Q. Public.”

I am going to bottom line it for every student-athlete out there. If you do not want to be on the front page, make correct adult decisions. I’ve never taken a drink in my life. So, why athletes are suspect to our criticism: Because they are funded by the state of Tennessee’s money.

I applaud The Pacer, and encourage them to continue reporting newsworthy events, especially when athletes put the community at risk. What if the suspect had run over someone (ex. Leonard Little)? This young man is lucky he only got ticketed and booked on charges. Bottom line is: Don’t drink and drive.

Kenneth Coker Gleason