Though it originally aired last year, "60 Minutes" replayed a Scott Pelley interview with defensive standout Bill Romanowski, who played in the NFL for 16 seasons. The lesson of the interview supports several claims that we have studied. One, that America is fascinated with examining a cheat, two, journalists often go right along for the emotional ride, and, three, sports leagues do little to stop the rampant cheating, especially drug use.
Romanowski is known for being one of the dirtiest players in the league, notably spitting in the face of an opponent. Now out of the NFL and with a book to promote, Romanowski, who had exceptional career, admitted taking steroids while playing.
Steroids are in direct violation with the NFL’s drug policy.
Like some theories in David Callahan’s book, The Cheating Culture, Romanowski explains his deviant behavior—which includes an admission of breaking the finger of an opponent—by blaming the competitive milieu of the NFL: "In professional football the competition is so intense. 'Is he good enough? Is he fast enough? Does he hit people hard enough? Does he get hurt a lot?' I didn't want that to happen to me. I didn’t want to lose my job." Romanowski also claims that he didn’t use the illegal substances until the end of his career.
With his conscience in the clear and millions in the bank, the NFL becomes the criminal through a wonderful case of transference. Though it is absurd to suggest that the NFL forced Romanowski to take steroids, the league is guilty of another crime: turning a blind eye. What has league done in the year since the admission? Nothing, which is a de facto endorsement of this illegal behavior, as Bill still wears his Super Bowl rings.
Worse was the cozy, humanizing interview conducted by Scott Pelley, who shows Romanowski watching his son play soccer and crying about being the victim of the high pressure of the NFL. The interview is loaded with compassionate fluff from the man who once broke the eye socket of teammate. He openly admits that he broke the cardinal rule of his profession, acted as a savage on the field, and CBS shows him as the penitent man, ensnared in the pressures of making millions of dollars. And they help him promote his book.
The only question remains if he still be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Seeing how quickly we, as a society, excuse this type of behavior, especially in sports. Romanowski has a good shot. If sports and society continue to endorse this behavior, we can expect more people to follow the Romanowski example to fame and fortune.
Vanessa Kitchen @ September 19, 2006 - 5:03pm
It is a big issue as to whether Romanowski is allowed into the Hall of Fame. With USC's Heisman Trophy in jeapordy because Reggie Bush allegedly recieved money and favors from sports agents, and Pete Rose banned from the Hall of Fame because of betting on baseball, one would assume that steriods would qualify as an instant disqualifier. However, because of the high numbers of althetes coming forward for steriod use, it's become almost commonplace. Because of this, I expect that the NFL might, wrongly, go ahead with his induction.
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