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Jones: Fun and games? For athletes, they don't always mix

 
De'Andre Johnson was initially suspended from FSU's football team, and when video of the altercation surfaced on Monday, Johnson was dismissed from the team. [AP photo]
De'Andre Johnson was initially suspended from FSU's football team, and when video of the altercation surfaced on Monday, Johnson was dismissed from the team. [AP photo]
Published July 8, 2015

What do fireworks, soccer and bars have in common?

Well, handled responsibly, they are harmless activities that can be a heck of a lot of fun. But as we've seen recently, such endeavors can wreck a sports career if you're not careful.

A golf star blew out his ankle playing soccer. An NFL star nearly blew off his hand playing with fireworks. And a college quarterback blew his scholarship by throwing fists in a bar.

Which brings us to this: When it comes to athletes, where's the line between having a little fun and being irresponsible? Where does living your life stop and being captive to your profession start?

Can't an athlete have a little fun and blow off a little steam when not immersed in their pressure-filled careers?

Actually, the short answer is no, I don't think so.

You want to make a career out of athletics then you give up certain privileges, as innocent as they may seem. That's the price for being a big-time athlete.

Let's start with the college player. That would be De'Andre Johnson, a former "Mr. Football'' who was supposed to be Florida State's starting quarterback someday. The freshman was hanging out in a club last month when he got into an altercation with a 21-year-old woman. After a little jostling, the woman threw a punch that Johnson brushed aside and he responded with a right cross that might have staggered Floyd Mayweather. Johnson's attorney says the woman used racial epithets to provoke him.

Johnson was initially suspended from FSU's football team and when video of the altercation surfaced Monday, Johnson was dismissed entirely.

Now reasonable people can all agree that a man striking a woman is not okay and that Johnson acted like a complete jerk. FSU had no choice but to kick him off the team. Part of the narrative here, however, is whether Johnson should be hanging out in a joint where the bartenders wear overalls with no shirts underneath. Probably not a smart idea, although it would appear that location had little to do with Johnson's unforgiveable lack of manners.

Still for many athletes, especially 19-year-old kids with bright football futures, going to shady clubs probably isn't the best way to spend an evening. Little good happens in such locales.

The other two incidents certainly don't rise to the level of criminal activity, but are nonetheless irresponsible.

New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who played his college ball at USF, suffered serious damage to his hand while playing around with fireworks on the Fourth of July. Details are sketchy, but it doesn't look as if JPP was merely waving around some sparklers. According to neighbors, Pierre-Paul had a truckload of heavy-duty fireworks and his grand finale did not go well.

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Initial reports that he lost a couple of digits were, thankfully, inaccurate, but it is believed he suffered bad burns to his palm and fingertips. He could miss playing time and the Giants supposedly withdrew a long-term $60 million contract extension offer.

He still will get a one-year deal worth nearly $15 million, but he might cost himself lots of dough and nearly ruined his career over what? A couple of moments of bright lights and big booms? What is he, 8 years old?

Then there's Rory McIlroy, the No. 1-ranked golfer in the world. He posted a photo on Instagram this week of his left foot in a cast — the result of tearing up his ankle while playing soccer. The injury probably will knock him out of next week's British Open Championship, where he was among the favorites to win one of golf's majors. In fact, if there's ligament damage, McIlroy's game could be impacted for months. And for what? Kicking around a ball?

The major difference between JPP and McIlroy is one plays a team sport and the other doesn't. If I'm a Giants teammate, I'm ticked at Pierre-Paul for horsing around with firecrackers and having it affect my chances at winning games. McIlroy has sponsors and a caddy who probably aren't thrilled with his efforts to be the next Carli Lloyd, but this mostly affects just him.

One could argue that McIlroy uses soccer to help stay in shape, but it still seems like a risky activity when the shelf life of winning golf tournaments is so small. Is playing soccer really worth the risk? I know it sounds boring, but stick to the treadmill.

I'd say the same about football players who spend their offseason playing basketball. Remember when Bucs kicker Connor Barth tore his Achilles playing a charity game? I'd say the same with hockey players who warm up playing soccer. Ottawa defenseman Mark Borowiecki suffered a 38-stitch gash in his leg during a pregame soccer mishap and ended up missing nearly a month.

Athletes in other sports have been hurt riding motorcycles and skateboards. Many teams have contract clauses forbidding players from jumping out of airplanes or surfing.

And you can understand why. They are investing millions of dollars in these players. They don't want these stars messing up their careers and, especially, hurting the team because they are out popping wheelies or skiing the black diamond.

I suppose one could get hurt doing almost anything. Athletes have been hurt falling out of bed and playing video games. Former NHL goalie Glenn Healy once sliced open his hand cleaning bagpipes. Former major-leaguer Bret Barbarie rubbed chili juice in his eye. So, we should police players from playing bagpipes or going to lunch?

Of course not. But how about a little common sense. Just ask, "What's the worst that can happen and how likely might it happen?''

It seems fairly obvious. No fireworks. No soccer, unless you are a soccer player. No skiing, unless you are a skier. No motorcycles. No skydiving.

And whether you're an athlete or not, no hitting a woman. Ever.