Boys Will Be Boys

Added on Oct 13, 2010 by Scott in

NFL

The morality police have once again climbed aboard their steeds — torches and hanging ropes in hand — and set their sights on another high profile professional athlete. The target this time around is none other than surefire Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. For those who have been sleeping the sleep of Rip Van Winkle, Favre was literally caught with his pants down last week when explicit cell phone pics of what is alleged to be his crotchal region surfaced on the popular sports blog deadspin.com.

It seems Brett, while a member of the Jets in 2008, decided the best way to lure then Jets “Gameday Host” Jenn Sterger was to sext her not-so flattering shots of his junk. And I’m not talking about old lawnmower parts. No, I’m talking about his, well, you know what I’m talking about. Do I really need to rehash the backstory? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Anyway, Favre now finds himself in a pickle. Not only does he face a possible suspension from NFL commish Roger Goodell, but he also must endure probing scrutiny from those in the media who consider themselves to be practitioners of everything that’s pure and wholesome. Ya know the types — guys and gals who would never think of cheating on their spouses, or have the audacity to leer lustfully at someone who isn’t their significant other.

Of course, these guardians of fidelity are in reality a bunch of judgmental blowhards, but that won’t stop them from raking Favre over the red hot coals at every opportunity. Just like they did to Tiger Woods, Alex Rodriguez and all other big name athletes found to be unfaithful while married.

In the case of Favre, his advances were rejected by Sterger, so the only thing he’s really guilty of is being a guy. A stupid guy with zero common sense or forethought, but a guy nonetheless. That’s right ladies and gentleman, married men, especially those who are rich, famous and powerful have been known to pursue young, attractive women and some will even go so far as to have sex with said women.

Despite knowing the repercussions of their actions should they be caught, men still can’t help themselves. Be it innate human nature, or a severe lack of self-control, boys will be boys. Alpha males accustomed to being treated like Gods are especially prone to dip their feet into the neighbor’s pool. Do they know what they’re doing is wrong? Sure. Do they care? Nah.

When the male libido is on the hunt, the last thing it’s going to do is stop and think ten steps ahead. I doubt Tiger Woods was weighing right and wrong while rendezvousing at shady motels with his many girlfriends. Why not, you ask? Because he’s Tiger Woods. He’s untouchable. There’s no way his cover will be blown. I also doubt Brett Favre gave it much thought when he (allegedly) fired those text messages to Ms. Sterger. Why not, you ask? Because he’s Brett Favre. He’s a future Hall of Famer. There’s no way a chick he barely knows will send private pics to a sports blog for all the world to ogle.

Truthfully, no guy believes he’ll be busted. When Larry the lawyer and Bob the butcher are banging their sexy blonde assistants after hours, visions of Mrs. Larry and Mrs. Bob aren’t popping into their heads. Visions of public embarrassment, familial ridicule and nasty divorce proceedings should be popping into their heads, but rarely do.

What’s at issue has little to do with Favre. It has more to do with why we continue to care about these kinds of stories. A quick check of the divorce rate in this country tells me a lot of marriages are breaking up, and I’d be willing to wager a good amount of them are due to one or both parties engaging in affairs.

Are we supposed to give a hoot because Favre is a public figure who earns millions of dollars and plays a game for a living? Sounds like a weak reason considering the number of politicians, businessman and those of similar ilk who have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar every year for the last fifty years.

C’mon, people. Was anyone really shocked when they heard or read about Favre’s illicit behavior? This is old news, sports fans. Professional athletes like to fool around. Yawn. Wake me up for the important stuff from here on out. Sorry, but it’s 2010. Tales of boys being boys aren’t enough to hold my attention.