A conversation between myself and my daughter’s fiancé regarding character (or lack thereof) and sports, possible endorsees for my book Becoming a True Champion—which certainly has a focus on character and integrity as a foundational principle, and the state of affairs with many elite and professional athletes today, prompted several questions.
If an athlete, or any person for that matter, makes a poor character choice, a mistake (e.g. cheating, illicit drug use, etc.) are they destined to live out the rest of their life as an individual known for being short on character and integrity?
Is it possible to rebuild the trust lost through a change in direction? If so, does this become a solid and respectable example for others, especially kids, earning back that previous loss of character? Basically, is there any redemption for such an individual?
To answer these questions, one must reflect on what having and demonstrating good character and integrity means to them. In reference to this discussion, do they really mean unconditional perfection of choice, or is there the possibility of recovery at some point?
I suppose that is part of what makes Josh Hamilton’s story and struggle from drug addiction, including alcohol and crack cocaine, back to become a prominent Major League Baseball star (hopefully, all clean and sober) so intriguing and so full of hope for those watching from the outside.
Touted as the No. 1 pick and talent in 1999, and held in the highest regard by most scouts, Josh was chosen first in the draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He had hit the big leagues and was on his way to the Tampa Bay franchise right out of high school, and with a $3.96 million signing bonus.
Looked at by many as a once-in-a-generation (maybe lifetime) type player, he was injured in a car accident in 2001, sidelining him from baseball and putting him on injured reserve. With an abundance of free time, and money to go with it, he began hanging with what many might refer to as the wrong crowd, quickly succumbing to the pressures existing within such an environment.
After failing several drug tests, and many trips to rehab, he was finally suspended from baseball for a year in March of 2004 and again in August of that same year, after he failed to show up for a mandatory drug test during that same month. It was not until sometime in October of 2005 that he hit bottom and started his steady, but difficult, climb back to normalcy, and baseball prominence.
4 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Thomas 11 months ago
He is a true comeback story. He had the skill, but wanted more, so he went looking in the wrong spots such as drugs. Then he found the truth and now he's doing better than ever.
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Kaye Baldridge 11 months ago
I think Josh Hamilton's story is a wonderful example of how anyone's life can be turned around by Jesus Christ. It is a joy to watch him play baseball and I never really cared for the Rangers before---since I have been a Yankee fan for years and years and years. I know it was hard for his family, but how proud they must be of him now and I am even proud of him, even though I don't know him. What a great example he is. God bless him. KKB
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Jordan Hofeditz 11 months ago
Josh Hamilton's story does point out the flaw that some young people don't know how to handle that kind of money and that free time that came along with the injury. But what makes Hamilton different than anything in the Mitchell Report controversy or Jose Canseco's book is that what Hamilton did had nothing to do with making him a better player.
What he did nearly ended his career as well as his life. It not only made him physically unable to play, but almost led to him being kicked out of the sport. Since then he has built his body back up by natural means (the guy takes nearly daily drug tests and hasn't tested positive for anything).
His is a great story and one that shows that a good person can make a terrible mistake, and if given a chance can make up for it, learn from it and become a better person because of it.
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James Colt 11 months ago
I think that anyone that says Josh Hamilton is a great story and isn't a person of great character definitely has no idea what life is about. There is a reason why "The Dark Knight" is the top movie. We like our heroes to be flawed, and then miraculously overcome those flaws because everyone is flawed and wants to believe they can still do great things. The odds of Josh being able to do what he's done are so stacked against him there was really no chance for him to come back. The man had hit rock bottom, and his life was in danger. He lost a severe amount of weight and was a shell of the person he was when he was drafted. There are plenty of people in this great country that are in a position that Josh was in. They may not have his athletic talent, but that doesn't mean they can't see what Josh is doing and be inspired by knowing it's never too late to turn their lives around. Also what makes him different from the steroids users is that he is open about his past and more than willing to talk about it in the hopes that people learn from his mistakes. He is definitely a positive role model, and if anyone says that he's not because of his past, well then I say let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
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