Can a hero ultimately be a zero

The Lance Armstrong charges of steroids has now really gone into action. Stephanie McIlvain, a friend of Armstrong spent the day in front of a federal grand jury, testifying that she never heard Armstrong to admitting to using PED's in a doctors office in 1996, while getting treated for cancer. McIlvain firmly stated that she had no reason to lie to grand jurors and would continue to stand by her statement no matter what. McIlvain said that she would gladly testify to what she heard in the doctors office, but, never saying she actually heard Armstrong say he used any type of PED. Armstrong has been tested many times but has also passed every test for use of any type of PED.

These charges have all be brought about by Floyd Landis, 2006 winner of Tour de France, but was stripped from his accomplishment after testing positive for PED's. Landis went on saying that seven time champion of the great cyclist event also used PED's after his comeback from cancer and in pursuit of each one his championships.

Do I want to sit here and believe that Armstrong is innocent? Yes, absolutely, its a great story of inspiration for people across the world. A man stricken with Testicular Cancer, battles through and overcomes the disease and then comes back to his sport and wins seven straight. A person only hears stories like that in film in books, its a true great American story. On the other hand, we are looking at a sport that has greatly adopted the use of steroids, and has many cyclist banned every year for the use. So when it comes down it, I want to look at the situation and say there is one honest athlete, but if baseball has taught us anything its that our 'heroes' are the ones that are breaking the hearts of many and cheating. There have been many to deny the use of steroids; Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGuire, Barry Bonds, that have also later admitted to using them. Even USA track star Marion Jones was found of using steroids after greatly admitting not using them, ultimately losing all of her medals. So its hard for me to believe that in a sport dominated by PED's that the greatest of all time didn't use them. But, if he didn't I can say its the one 'hero' that wont be made into a zero.

Ring Leader to Back Up Man?

On Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Detroit Lions on the back of three time Pro-Bowler Michael Vick. If you all remember Vick was convicted of an illegal dog fighting ring that he was the ring leader, where he set up fights for dogs, while also killing and beating many dogs in the process. Vick was convicted and locked up in jail for about two years. Since then he has made an attempt to fix his 'way of life.' With help from one of the most respected coaches to come through the NFL Tony Dungy, Vick has really started to turn his life into more positive outcomes. With Kevin Kolb down this past weekend Michael Vick was called to be the starting quarter back, putting up phenomenal numbers with 284 passing yards, two touchdowns and 37 yards rushing in a win over the Detroit Lions. In an interview with ESPN after the game Vick stated that Kevin Kolb was the leader of the team and had no problem with backing him up in the games to come. Before his jail time I think Vick would have been a lot more arrogant and selfish saying he was the better QB, but now, the age and maturity is starting to creep through. Michael Vick was once looked as a big time role model and star in the NFL, and now is trying to gain that respect back from both his peers and fans all around the football world. In my opinion I think Michael Vick has made astronomical moves in his life and is really heading the in the right direction, its not too often someone gets a second chance at life but, when they do its how you make it of it. As of right now I think its safe to say that Michael Vick is on his way to being the role model he should have always been.

An Athletes reputation

I think its safe to say that the athletes that rise above the rest want to make that known to everyone else around them. Wayne Rooney is another fine example of this. He is a super star forward for both Manchester United and England's National soccer team. Recent reports have come out that while his wife has been pregnant with his child, Rooney has been known to pay up to $1500 for hookers to visit him. To put this into perspective for some people its like Tiger Woods sleeping around with 14 "prude," woman, while have 2 kids and a wife. I think the destruction of athletes is growing rapidly across the world, considering they do not care about their actions the media is only going to continue to expose them as the villain. I guess what it comes down to; what do athletes want to be known for anymore, what they do on the field, or off?