It's not just Roger Clemens and Kobe Bryant. Nor is it just Alex Rodriguez, Michael Jordan, or Wilt Chamberlain. A large number of professional athletes come under fire each year for alleged adultery issues. It may sound foolish, but it's quite simple, really.
The root of this problem stems from players being away from their homes, for practices and workouts, not to mention the time-devotion for road trips.
It has been recorded by many sources that on long road trips, these athletes have an extraordinary amount of downtime with which to entertain themselves, and those boundaries of "entertainment" are clearly quite wide. Many experts suggest that it starts with harmless events like going to a club, but often escalates to bringing a girl back to the room to sleep with.
Wilt Chamberlain's easygoing attitude with regards to his women was widely-known throughout the NBA circuit, as it was once rumored that he had at least one woman in every city that he traveled to.
It didn't start with Chamberlain, however. The acts of adultery have been permeated throughout sports since the days of the Great Bambino, Babe Ruth. Ruth had a daughter with his mistress, and attempted to convince his daughter that she was indeed legitimate.
Sure, it's unfortunate that such occurrences happen, but especially with athletes coming into the professional ranks at younger ages accompanied by astronomically large paychecks, it's often hard for them to stay away from the temptation.
Today's Must Reads
The real issue is when these athletes end up having children out of wedlock. I mean, Stephon Marbury has two illegitimate kids, Larry Johnson has five kids with four different women, and the list goes on.
I've spoken with several former NBA players over the years, as well as some players currently playing overseas that say it happens everywhere.
One current overseas basketball player with whom I associate said anonymously that he will have in between 5-10 girls at the same time in his basketball country.
I would venture to suggest that the most difficulties of "staying true" happen in the NBA.
Not that I condone any of this sinful behavior, but some of the fault must be put on the spouse's shoulders. In Kobe Bryant's case, for example, his wife Vanessa, seemed angered until Bryant dropped a cool $4 million for a ring.
The perceived attitude that most women married to these ultra-successful athletes are "gold diggers" doesn't get set aside with actions such as those of Ms. Bryant.
The latest allegation, Alex Rodriguez's affair with another woman not named Cynthia Rodriguez has seemed to shock the general public. It sure wasn't lost on me, as these types of situations happen repeatedly.
That being said, A-Rod will now likely fork over millions of dollars in a divorce suit because of his supposed actions.
A study conducted in 2001 showed that almost 50% of marriages end up in divorces in the United States, so the term "forever" in most marriages can't exactly be taken seriously.
Then there is the most obscure of relationships, that of Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko and his wife Masha Lopatova. Lopatova, in an interview with ESPN The Magazine explained how she allows Kirilenko to practice "free agency", if you will, once-a-year. What that means essentially, is that Kirilenko is allowed to have sex with one of his many groupies on one occasion each year, supposedly giving him another experience.
On the other side of the spectrum, some athletes' wives have set down some regulations, albeit strange.
Anna Benson, professional model and wife of former major leaguer Kris, told her husband that if he ever cheated on her, she would sleep with every member of his MLB squad. Wouldn't that be something!
Here's a link to a list of other sports infidelity blurbs:
comments (13) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
"Stephon Marbury has two illegitimate kids, Larry Johnson has five kids with four different women, and the list goes on."
Travis Henry says that's small potatoes. What's his kiddie count up to now? 9? Here come double digits.
You're right, it's everywhere. I think ego plays a big role with some of those names you mentioned, as well as time on the road, going to clubs etc. These guys are so used to being handed anything and everything at their convenience. Pretty soon women and children become just another asset.
What's scary is that no one is exempt from it. In today's modern media and surveillance world the MJs, Arods, and other big names aren't so squeaky clean turns out.
from about 1 month ago
I completely agree. It happens, we know it happens, and even though we may not all agree with the player's actions, I find it's often best to just dismiss the issue. Although the subject may be interesting, it is their lives, not ours.
from about 1 month ago
Well, I'm not so sure dismissing it is the answer. If we don't dismiss an issue like steroids because a bad example is being set, then how can we even dream of dismissing adultery. Which is worse? In the grand scheme of things I'd say steroid abuse has become almost meaningless in today's sports culture. I think an issue like adultery is far more widespread than steroid use is, or will ever be. Maybe the underlying issue is simply "cheating" and it should be left at that.
from about 1 month ago
Very well said, John. I think ego plays a big part in it as well, because these guys think they can go out and get with whomever they please just because of their professional stature.
about 1 month ago
Audltrey is everywhere, no matter if you're an athlete or a CEO.
I could care less what they do, it's their man sword; they can stick it where they choose. So long as they show up on gameday.
from about 1 month ago
Some may say that, but many believe that adultery isn't exactly the best thing...?
from about 1 month ago
O it's not but then again, it's also not our business. I mean if someone is touting themselves as a consummate "family man" and engages in it then yes it should get attention. Otherwise I don't think it's anyone's business.
Besides the women play a large role aswell, there are plenty who will go out of their way with a married guy just to say they got banged by someone famous.....
from about 1 month ago
Hmm, I think the argument could be made that is IS our business no matter what the circumstances. When every blog, website, tv show, newspaper and magazine is shoving a story like the Arod and Madonna fling in our face, it has a way of becoming our business. These athletes in no way can live a life of privacy these days. Some of us want to keep it as "their business" but we love checking up on Arod and Madonna's status and new developments, so I don't know. By the way, those two apparently have a sex taped leaked now. Now it's definitely our business lol.
from about 1 month ago
HAHA that's just sad. Arod dissapoints me, i would think he could do better than an old washed up women like Madonna
about 1 month ago
Why does it say there are four comments for this article, but nothing shows up?
about 1 month ago
Wilt Chamberlain was never married, in his case it would be fornication.
about 1 month ago
I don't care about how many children these guys have out of wedlock. For one it's not my business and secondly, as long as they're taking care of them, who cares. This has been going on for decades and I don't see an end in sight. It's the world we live in.
about 1 month ago
Somebody needs to write an article about Karl Malone. He has like five illegitimate kids, one of whom is Cheryl Ford, a WNBA player, and he apparently had sex with a 13 year old when he was in college! He's one of the worst adulterers/scum bags that I can think of.
write a new comment