Antwoine Key

[Aveosmth]

Antwoine Key. Have you ever heard of him? Probably not. This was a kid that flew under the radar. He probably preferred it that way. This was a kid who came out of tough circumstances and recently transferred from Southern Connecticut to Eastern Connecticut University. He was unpolished, as...
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[Shane]

Originally Posted by Aveosmth

Many people feel that it is ok not to do something about a problem, but yet complain that the problem exists.

I can give you a list of names in this category.

Nice little tribute btw. Unfortunately, this kind of thing happens every day, but "society" still praises the John Rocker, Kobe Bryant, Randy Moss, (enter idiot's name here).

[focal22]

Hank Gathers?? that was sad. they had a great story about him in the sports almanac the year he died.

yeah society is fucked up

[Shane]

Agreed. Thanks for taking a post that made no sense and making it worthwhile.

Travis Roy comes to mind in this thread. All of our priorities are out of whack.

[focal22]

society doesn't know any better. these guys are like stars who can do no wrong.

[Shane]

Doesn't that piss you off?

Personally, I see most of these guys, the ones that think they are above the law especially, and just hope someone locks them up and throws the key away. I'd like to see some of the rich bastards live a life in the middle of nowhere, with no money, no car, no heat, no food, and no A/C. Give them a month and see how they do.

[focal22]

that would be funny to see. doubt they could do it. put them bastards on survivior

[Shane]

They wouldn't survive

[Aveosmth]

Thanks for all of the kind comments. This "above the law" attitude is one of the main reasons why professional sports is dying a slow, painful death.

[mark_chalifoux]

Originally Posted by Aveosmth

Shaquille O'Neal makes over $20 million a year and Antwoine Key had to work part-time at the Eastern Connecticut Recreation Center to make ends meet. It just doesn't make any sense. Hopefully, something good will come out of this tragic story. Martyrdom is a very strong force, and it can drive people to make change. I never knew this young man, but I know that it has compelled me to strive higher. I'm sure I will never forget his name. Antwoine Key

Shaq plays basketball a hell of a lot better than the late Antwoine Key, that's why he makes 20 mil. I dont know why you try to vilify professional athletes with this story, they didnt kill him.

And how can he be a martyr? What was it he believed in that he died for? His death, while tragic, does not make him a martyr. Was this a sad story? Yes. Yes it was. I just fail to see what this has to do with professional atheltes.

[Aveosmth]

Mark,

My first response got lost somewhere in cyberspace...so I apologize in advance if this gets posted again....

I will agree with you that Shaq is a much better basketball player than Antwoine Key. I even think that he deserves the money he gets from the Heat. However, if there is a way to pay Shaq over $20 million a year, there should be a way to make sure that a man like Antwoine Key gets what he deserves as well.

I'm definitely not trying to villify professional athletes. They had nothing to do with the death of Antwoine Key. What frustrates me is the complacency in professional sports. Moreover, whats even more frustrating is the "kingly" status that we as society has given them. Also, the gap both financially and mentally between the average American and the professional athlete has grown to an almost imaginable gap. This is the main reason for the steady decline in popularity...especially in baseball and basketball. Football is still strong because you see far less of the "me first" attitude. I also don't blame these athletes for becoming complacent. I'm sure its much harder to care if you have a ring or not if youre making $20 or even $5 mil a year.

However, as a society we've condoned not only their complacency, but the lack of social responsibility that a preponderence of athletes have. For every Warwick Dunn who is a model athlete...there are plenty of athletes who have no clue about how strong their influence is.

[focal22]

that is how the world spins today. u good u make money, u suck u sit and home. u given a chance u might be something, u not given a chance u play street ball.