Hernandez Case a Symptom of a Bigger Problem

I don't really follow sports. At all. Recently, however, the case of Aaron Hernandez, formerly of the New England Patriots, has been a hard story to miss. Some have claimed it was an example of a pro football player gone wrong. Some have claimed it just goes to show what money and fame can do to a person.

Fans have flocked to buy jerseys and sports' gear, which will soon be discontinued. This case has been likened to the OJ Simpson trial in the reactions of the public.

As I am not a sports fan, why should I be interested in this case? Good question. I wasn't really, not until someone on NPR this morning brought up one word: character. This person made the argument that these sports players are given three things: lots of money, free time, and (they phrased it differently, but) fame. In of themselves, these things are not corrupting. But the combination, perhaps, provides room for the foulest aspects of a person's character to be amplified.

Working together, these three can have the same effect as spoiling a child. A person may believe one can get whatever one wants, do what one pleases, and not have to deal with the consequences. This feeling of self-centered immunity can carry with it deadly consequences.

Good character is often formed in the face of opposition, in a human struggle against the odds. When the struggle is taken away, or a person is not allowed to struggle, that person may fail to develop proper human empathy for others, may not be able to emotionally handle opposition, etc. All of these could be contributing factors in this case.

I recognize that this is only a surface-level analysis, as I do not really understand the inner-workings of the NFL. Admittedly I have only been to a single Pre-Season Pats game at Gilette Stadium, and have a limited view of the sports world. But I do think players need to be challenged, not just rewarded. Who is keeping these players in check? Who is making sure that this case is not repeated? I don't have any solutions, just thoughts...

In conclusion, one may recall the Biblical account of Cain and Able. Cain presented perhaps a half-hearted offering to God, but Able presented one that God found pleasing. In anger, Cain plotted and murdered his brother out in a field. His motivation was not to earn God's favor anymore---he was reacting in anger to not getting what he wanted. His character had not been developed.

Still- he had a choice, as we always do. Character can also be formed in the decision-making process, if we will stop and contemplate before resorting to rash action. We can train ourselves, by the grace of God, to make decisions which we know to be the right thing to do (this, according to God's word, written in our human conscience).

Hernandez, if he has committed these murders, could have chosen, despite the above 3 influences, to decide to be a man of character. But--we still have a responsibility as a society to try to create better environments or checks for those we are expecting exemplary moral character from as role models.