An Open Letter To Professional Athletes...

To all of the Barry Bonds and Mark McGwires out there. I don't think I have a problem with the fact that you used steroids. They were not illegal in your sport at the time and being professional athletes I am sure you want every competitive edge you can get. Performance leads to compensation and job security and the need to perform at a high level could possibly justify your decision to use a substance that your sport had not deemed illegal. Being the best at what you do not only translates into performance pay but also endorsement deals which supplements your lifestyles and support your familes. I understand that. But believe me, a guy who supports his family on $40,000 a year lacks sympathy for the millions you make which lead me to this.

We know you used performance enhancing drugs, the truth is out. I, along with many of millions of Americans will respect a person who comes out and admits to his past indiscretions and takes responsibility for his actions. The problem is when everyone knows that you used the substances and you continue to deny so. It reminds me alot of the Bill Clinton - Monica Lewinsky incident. Everyone knew the president had inappropriate relations with the lady, yet he lied under oath about doing so. When our public figures fail to tell the truth when in the national spotlight and under oath what are we teaching our kids? Just as guilty in all of this is Marion Jones. i have watched several times as Marion Jones has denied knowing Victor Conte, yet he has produced evidence that she knew who he was and had met with him on many more instances then she could recall. Again, be truthful and maybe I would have sympathy for you, however when you continue to tell lie after lie I doubt you will see overwhelming empathy from the public.

I used to be a huge Mark Mcgwire fan. I saw tape of him from the congressional hearnings and he came off looking pretty bad when he refused to answer any questions about past use. Typically, as everyone knows, if you don't have anything to hide you typically will answer questions. McGwire however would not give a yes or no answer to any question deling with past use.

I think the biggest issue I have with this situation as well as many things shown on television these days is that we seem to give the perception to people that it is okay to lie. For my children's sake, i want them to learn that telling the truth is okay and when the people that they look upto can not tell the truth, why should they bother telling the truth.

All I want is for my children to learn that you are better off