When Cheaters Prosper

The recent steroid scandal that has rocked Major League Baseball has called into question the ethics of those in the highly competitive, and highly lucrative world of professional sports. But cheating in sports is nothing new. From baseball, to football, to motor sports, cheating scandals have made the news for years, with the guilty parties often going on to win championships, coveted titles, and lots and lots of money. Players, coaches, and entire teams-it seems there is some form of cheating going on at every level. Sports organizations and associations give out almost meaningless punishments, and it has gotten so bad that the federal government is beginning to get involved. However, public outrage at these acts of deception is intermittent at best, and tends to disappear during the off-season as we shower our champions with praise, glory, and ever-increasing amounts of money. What does our acceptance of this unethical behavior in professional sports say about the values of the American public? The record-breaking seasons and salaries that these sports continue to enjoy show that we care less about honesty than we do about winning. As a result, many involved in professional sports will continue to cheat for as long as they can get away with it.

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