ATHLETES AREN'T ALWAYS ROLE MODELS

It takes a lot of courage to admit when something you have done is wrong,
especially when that thing you did is an illegal drug.

Randy Moss of the Oakland Raiders has admitted, on television, that he has
smoked marijuana while in the NFL and continues to smoke it every blue moon.

Excuse me?

Mr. Moss, you are a role model to children whether you want to be or not.
Don't go on the record saying you use illegal substances.

The quotation came out in an interview with Bryant Gumble of HBO's Real
Sports that aired Aug. 23.

Moss claims that the quotation that was leaked from the interview has been
taken out of context and was really more about his past. Apparently, all
was to be made clear when the interview could be seen in full.

For deadline purposes, the interview could not be watched in full before
this article was written.

Regardless of in or out of context, I can see no benefit in actually
admitting to using drugs. Say you were into some nasty stuff in your
childhood if you must, but actually admitting to using illegal substances
is not a great idea.

Moss tried to clarify two points when the media questioned him about the
interview. First, he said that kids shouldn't look at this and believe if
Moss can use it so can they (good moral come back, Moss) and secondly he
has never abused the substance or let it control his life.

So far, there has been no repercussions from the NFL regarding these
comments. However, I think most people would agree there should have been
an immediate drug test done on Moss and regardless of the outcome of the
test, fine Moss for making such an inappropriate comment.

The Raiders' coach, Norv Turner, said he would reserve comment about the
issue until the interview had been aired in full.

If nothing is done about the comment, by either the NFL or the Oakland
Raiders, there will be a strong message sent to fans around the world. Once
players reach this plateau of greatness, they are no longer held
accountable for their actions and they can say what they wish about their
'past' without fear.

I do believe in second chances and allowing someone to get off to a clean
second start, but it doesn't seem that a clean second start is what Moss is
after. He is here to tell the world about his messed up childhood and hard
times through college to prove that no matter how much dumb stuff you do,
if you are good enough, you will still make it.