One of the sports columnists for USA Today gets my goat quite often, though. She is opinionated to a fault, judgmental as hell, and comes across to me as the traditional “harpy.”

Her name is Christine Brennan, and reading her columns is almost as painful as hearing someone scrape their fingernails across a chalkboard.

I force myself to do so occasionally, however, just as I used to force myself to listen to Rush Limbaugh on occasion; just to find out what they’re saying at the moment.

I know that what Christine Brennan writes will likely disturb me, but I want to get a pulse of what she’s thinking at the moment, because I believe it reflects the mood and thinking of a great many people. Although that seems to lend her voice credence, I would only say that fools abound in this world, so it’s nothing special.

One thing she’s been “harping” on recently is the issue of steroids in baseball, and how it’s basically placed a cloud over the entire sport over the past few decades.

However, she goes further than simply pointing out some of the problems with it. She even goes further than just talking about those players who’ve admitted to their use. It’s understandable that she would, with her self-righteous attitude, slam those players, and try and denigrate their accomplishments.

Yet, she goes on to try and make it seem like the accomplishments of all players over the last few decades are meaningless. She basically states that all the years since Hank Aaron hit his historical 715^th Home Run to pass Babe Ruth and become baseball’s all-time home run leader (years she calls “the terrible days of cheating”) will “for generations to come” be known as the “Steroid Years.”

I have a very special thing I’d like to say to her; namely, “Shut the Hell Up!”

Following that vulgar display, as a sort of penance, I’d like to segue into a little bible lesson. For those who find this uncomfortable, as an agnostic I understand and apologize.

There are many biblical passages that have become part of the common lexicon and thinking of society, and there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, while I’m an agnostic, even I’ll admit the bible contains quite a bit of wisdom.

However, two of those passages that are quite often quoted by people are, in my estimation, used incorrectly, and are especially relevant to this article. They are, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” and “Judge not that ye be not judged.”

The first quote is actually purposely misquoted, precisely because that is how most people say it. The actual quote, from John 8:7, is “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Of course, it’s obvious why the phrase was subtly changed in order to make it more appropriate for use in daily life. However, it was done so precisely so it could actually be misused, in my view.

The lesson Jesus was trying to get across to those around him was that no one should feel self-righteous, for all of us have “sin” in us. As Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Even if you don’t believe in God, you’d be hard-pressed not to admit that humans, all of us, have problems, and foibles, and skeletons in our closet; so to speak.

This, however, does not preclude us from “casting” that first stone, or from judging others, you might say.

This brings us to the second quote from Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Again, Jesus was not admonishing people to not judge things and people around them. As John made clear in 1 Corinthians 6:3 “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?” judging is something we’re supposed to do.

We’re supposed to make judgments about circumstances, people, and everything around us. If not, then we would constantly be in a state of static tension, having nothing to rely on to make decisions.

Jesus was simply trying to make it clear that if you do judge things, or people, you should do so carefully, and righteously. In fact, he said just that in John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

I believe Christine Brennan hasn’t followed this sound advice. Instead, she’s gone off the deep-end, as many in the world of sports journalism have when it pertains to the issue of steroids, and has judged willy-nilly, harshly, and without any sort of real compassion.

She could take a real sound lesson from another passage of the bible, Luke 6:37, which is Luke’s version of the above passage about not judging, where Jesus says, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”

Luke’s version is tellingly different from Matthew’s. Matthew’s is a quote that seems to be a commandment, and is the one most people use when they try and tell you not to judge something or somebody. Luke’s version lets you know why it would be good to withhold judgment occasionally, and why it’s completely righteous to forgive.

In the end, it boils down to this. If you’re going to judge someone, make sure you have all the facts before doing so, and make sure you take into account all mitigating circumstances. To not do so would be patently unrighteous. Before you cast that first stone, make sure it’s one that need be cast.

I’m someone who probably judges people and events far too quickly at times. I’m prone to that mainly because I’m intelligent enough to figure things out pretty quickly, and see through the BS most people try and shovel at me.

That is why I try and admonish myself often to take heed to those lessons inherent in the above biblical passages. I have no problem casting that first stone at times, or judging someone. However, knowing my own many problems, I try and do it as righteously as I can. I try and make sure I have all the facts before I go down that path.

Christine Brennan doesn’t have all the facts in this case; no one does. No one knows what really went on behind closed doors in many of the cases we’ve heard about in the media. She also doesn’t seem to have much forgiveness for those who might have been guilty of using, or even abusing steroids.

More importantly, though, is she’s unfairly painting the entire era (the past 35+ years) since Aaron’s home run, as tainted and unworthy of any praise or acknowledgement. That is the mark of a very thoughtless and heartless person.

This may explain why the sports arena appeals so broadly and so intensely to the masses—we wretched souls interred in stained t-shirts with drive-through convictions.

Those we watch and revere move forward, act bravely and overcome stiff resistance. We admire the sheer will that propels them to the finish line—a place that often eludes us. 

A very few of these athletes whose lives we covet inspire us, take away our collective breath and bend us toward worship, as they enter the rarified air of those who would be considered the Greatest of All-Time.

These gifted athletes create a vivid visual work of art—a kinetic canvas in motion. In perfect rhythm they flow effortlessly from one posture to another. They exude a luscious liquidity beneath potent power—all with perfect poise and purpose. 

Often they may appear to defy natural laws like gravity and dimensional depth. Watching them, your senses beg for the action to slow because the human eye is incapable of recording the speed of their reaction time. 

In that case you may be left wondering…what did I just see? 

Sometimes it takes a slow motion replay to document the subtle details of their perfect timing.

They possess an innate ability to see more—their vision extending beyond obvious focal points to the larger field of play…the big picture is in focus at all times.

Exhibiting early prowess, these rare specimens absorb the fine points and recognized boundaries of their respective sports. Ultimately they will explode these limits and alter the landscape of the sport they play.

There are four athletes who exemplify these rare characteristics and more. During my lifetime I have been allowed to witness their brilliance.

Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis sprinting or Carl Lewis leaping was a true miracle of precision, power, and speed. He won 10 Olympic Medals, nine of them gold. His career spanned from 1979 through 1996.

He still holds a world record for the indoor long jump set in 1984, 8.79 meters. 

I admit that I am enamored of track & field athletes.

Is there anything more aesthetically pleasing than a perfect baton pass in a sprint relay as the next runner explodes into the lead at mind-numbing speed, leaning into the curve, every part of his body in motion except his head which remains perfectly steady, eyes fixed on the next exchange or the finish line.

Carl Lewis did it better than anyone and he made it look so easy, by far the greatest track athlete of the twentieth century.

Walter Payton

I have never been a true fan of professional football. I have watched a great many games without really caring who won. However, there was a team I did follow closely in the mid 80s—the Chicago Bears.

Mike Ditka’s 1985 Super Bowl Team was also, in my humble opinion, the best pro football team of all time; all because of Walter Payton and a vaunted Bear defense!

His nickname was “Sweetness” and I think it was a reflection of his moves—so sweet it made your mouth water.

Watching Walter Payton run was also a thing of beauty. His power and determination in contrast to his off-field demeanor may have lulled his competition into a sense of thinking he could easily be contained.

However, Sweetness could sidestep, kick step, stop and start on a dime, twist and turn, making the defense miss tackles as he turned up field and out ran the competition…and he made it look effortless.

He is the forerunner of all great modern running backs since…and certainly the best I’ve ever seen.

Michael Jordan

The windy city also served as a welcome mat to another pro athlete who epitomized the best of the best. This one, however, played basketball.

Well, perhaps that should come with a caveat. We mere mortals play basketball, while Michael Jordan played something else.  His court presence required a bigger stage than anyone could build. 

Jordan could suspend himself mid-air on the way to the basket. Hanging, he could alter his shot and even switch hands, often leaving his opponent awestruck and flat-footed. 

He could fly from the free throw line to the hoop and slam dunk the ball…and for him it was as simple as breathing. 

Michael Jordan was the Chicago Bulls—again, in my humble opinion, the greatest pro-basketball franchise in the history of the game.

Roger Federer

With a forehand that David Foster Wallace described as a “liquid whip,” Roger Federer has impressed the sporting world with his immense talent on the tennis court.

His impeccable timing, incredible foot speed and versatile shot arsenal give him immense power while his elegant movement along the baseline and smooth net coverage elevate his play to artistry. 

Like Jordan he appears to fly, to skim the surface and soar. He dances as Payton did, always balanced and ready to move in any direction, stopping and starting, changing directions as the need arises. 

Like Lewis, Federer has explosive speed and reaction time. He does it all with such ease and grace that it appears like he is hardly moving.

The debate here has ended for me—Federer is the greatest athlete ever to play the game of tennis.

The Debate

There are taboo topics you should avoid discussing with people you like as well as those who control your economic destiny. The most compelling of these is the great GOAT debate—Greatest of All-Time, for the uninitiated.

If you elect to enter into one of these mind-numbing discussions it is possible to subdivide your suicide into specific sports, eras and personalities.

Disagreements on this verboten issue will surely marginalize marriages, frazzle friendships, and indeed may cast you down amongst the sodden caste of those on the brink of bankruptcy.

I tell you with all honesty that it is a pointless debate—but then most are. I will put up my four fantasy guys against yours any day and we will rail until the end of time. In the end you will walk away with your entourage intact and I’ll tuck mine away for another day or until I die—whichever comes first!

JA Allen is an award-winning writer and Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report whose work you can view at the following link:

JA Allen at Bleacher Report

Many professional athletes, such as Tiger Woods, apparently think so; or else they wouldn’t be cashing their paychecks. However, do these athletes really deserve all that money?

In my view, absolutely not.

If you ask me, professional athletes are making far more than they deserve, and in a society where salaries and wages are traditionally based on the value of one’s work, that seems wrong.

I believe a person should be paid according to the job’s economic importance and value to society.

Take education, for instance. Teaching is one of the most economically important occupations if you really think about it. Our future economies rely on how well we educate our youth, and yet teachers are paid a mere fraction of what a professional athlete receives.

If you were to calculate how much Kobe Bryant gets paid for every basket he scores, I’m sure it earns him the equivalent of the average teacher’s yearly salary.

That is simply outrageous.

Yet, some would argue that the teacher only provides service to a single classroom, while superstar athletes like Kobe Bryant are entertaining fans all around the world; bringing them both excitement and relaxation with their athletic exploits.

Perhaps those making such an argument aren’t aware that Kobe Bryant’s salary also dwarfs that of the president of the United States, Barack Obama, who only makes approximately $400,000 a year.

Obama’s critical decisions affect the entire world every day, as he’s hard at work trying to revive our nation’s economy and protect our nation’s security, and yet the newest unproven rookie in the NBA will earn more than the president this year.

Again, simply outrageous when you really think about it.

And teachers aren’t the only ones deserving of higher wages. Police officers, firefighters, and doctors throughout the country both risk their lives and save the lives of others for a fraction of what many sports stars make.

Those in the military leave their families at home for months at a time to defend and protect our country’s freedoms, knowing they may never return, and all for a pittance compared to what even many scrubs in the NBA make.

If you ask me, it’s a shameful that these heroes aren’t given the same recognition by society that is afforded Brett Favre, Michael Jordan, or LeBron James.

Don’t mistake what I’m saying for some sense that these athletes have had it easy getting where they are, either. I fully understand that making it to the pros isn’t an easy thing to accomplish. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and talent on the part of the athlete, not to mention an incredible number of hours of hard work every day just to earn the privilege.

However, in the end, all athletes do is entertain.

Is that actually worth the price we pay them?

I believe it’s not, and that at the very least, that if these athletes want to continue to reap the rewards of their fame, they must begin to prove they can be positive role models for both future athletes to follow, and the children who grow up admiring and practically worshipping them.

They must begin to show that they are more deserving of the fortune that (I believe) is unfairly bestowed upon them by our society. How often have we heard about an athlete drinking and driving, using drugs, or sexually harassing some woman? If you ask me, there should be a zero tolerance policy in every single sports league for such behavior, precisely because they’re so highly paid.

Simply put, if Alex Rodriguez (or any athlete) believes he deserves to make as much money each year as he does, then he must also recognize that he should be allowed to cheat and take steroids. This is because if we, as a society allow that, then what we’re teaching our children is that it’s okay to use illegal substances such as steroids, because in the long run it will pay off.

In order for these high-priced athletes to gain more respect, they will need to have a more significant impact on their communities. They will have to become more involved, and willingly give back in terms of time and resources to those who’ve made it possible for them to live in such luxury.

Also, a system needs to be put into place that prevents players who have never even really proven their value in professional sports from hijacking teams for all they can get. Now, of course the owners themselves are partially to blame, as they just keep on spending and spending, but something must be done.

Take the case of JaMarcus Russell for instance. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, despite being recognized as being one of the biggest busts in NFL history, will still walk away an incredibly wealthy man. That is because the deal he was given by the Raiders when he came into the league (a six-year $68 million contract) included $31 million in guaranteed money.

Simply put, this guy did nothing for the Raiders whatsoever, and is walking away a multi-millionaire.

Again, that is outrageous.

In any job in the real world, if you don’t perform to your employer’s expectations, you’re fired, and there’s no guaranteed money (unless of course you’re the CEO of BP or Enron).

Finally, it all comes down to the fact the system of paying professional athletes is broken. They are swimming in money, much of it totally undeserved or unearned, and it needs to stop.

When asking people whether they think athletes are paid way too much money, most agree with me.

Do you? 

Wouldn’t it be great to make nearly $111 million a year simply to play a game?

Many professional athletes, such as Tiger Woods, apparently think so; or else they wouldn’t be cashing their paychecks. However, do these athletes really deserve all that money?

In my view, absolutely not.

If you ask me, professional athletes are making far more than they deserve, and in a society where salaries and wages are traditionally based on the value of one’s work, that seems wrong.

I believe a person should be paid according to the job’s economic importance and value to society.

Take education, for instance. Teaching is one of the most economically important occupations if you really think about it. Our future economies rely on how well we educate our youth, and yet teachers are paid a mere fraction of what a professional athlete receives.

If you were to calculate how much Kobe Bryant gets paid for every basket he scores, I’m sure it earns him the equivalent of the average teacher’s yearly salary.

That is simply outrageous.

Yet, some would argue that the teacher only provides service to a single classroom, while superstar athletes like Kobe Bryant are entertaining fans all around the world; bringing them both excitement and relaxation with their athletic exploits.

Perhaps those making such an argument aren’t aware that Kobe Bryant’s salary also dwarfs that of the president of the United States, Barack Obama, who only makes approximately $400,000 a year.

Obama’s critical decisions affect the entire world every day, as he’s hard at work trying to revive our nation’s economy and protect our nation’s security, and yet the newest unproven rookie in the NBA will earn more than the president this year.

Again, simply outrageous when you really think about it.

And teachers aren’t the only ones deserving of higher wages. Police officers, firefighters, and doctors throughout the country both risk their lives and save the lives of others for a fraction of what many sports stars make.

Those in the military leave their families at home for months at a time to defend and protect our country’s freedoms, knowing they may never return, and all for a pittance compared to what even many scrubs in the NBA make.

If you ask me, it’s a shameful that these heroes aren’t given the same recognition by society that is afforded Brett Favre, Michael Jordan, or LeBron James.

Don’t mistake what I’m saying for some sense that these athletes have had it easy getting where they are, either. I fully understand that making it to the pros isn’t an easy thing to accomplish. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and talent on the part of the athlete, not to mention an incredible number of hours of hard work every day just to earn the privilege.

However, in the end, all athletes do is entertain.

Is that actually worth the price we pay them?

I believe it’s not, and that at the very least, that if these athletes want to continue to reap the rewards of their fame, they must begin to prove they can be positive role models for both future athletes to follow, and the children who grow up admiring and practically worshipping them.

They must begin to show that they are more deserving of the fortune that (I believe) is unfairly bestowed upon them by our society. How often have we heard about an athlete drinking and driving, using drugs, or sexually harassing some woman? If you ask me, there should be a zero tolerance policy in every single sports league for such behavior, precisely because they’re so highly paid.

Simply put, if Alex Rodriguez (or any athlete) believes he deserves to make as much money each year as he does, then he must also recognize that he should be allowed to cheat and take steroids. This is because if we, as a society allow that, then what we’re teaching our children is that it’s okay to use illegal substances such as steroids, because in the long run it will pay off.

In order for these high-priced athletes to gain more respect, they will need to have a more significant impact on their communities. They will have to become more involved, and willingly give back in terms of time and resources to those who’ve made it possible for them to live in such luxury.

Also, a system needs to be put into place that prevents players who have never even really proven their value in professional sports from hijacking teams for all they can get. Now, of course the owners themselves are partially to blame, as they just keep on spending and spending, but something must be done.

Take the case of JaMarcus Russell for instance. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, despite being recognized as being one of the biggest busts in NFL history, will still walk away an incredibly wealthy man. That is because the deal he was given by the Raiders when he came into the league (a six-year $68 million contract) included $31 million in guaranteed money.

Simply put, this guy did nothing for the Raiders whatsoever, and is walking away a multi-millionaire.

Again, that is outrageous.

In any job in the real world, if you don’t perform to your employer’s expectations, you’re fired, and there’s no guaranteed money (unless of course you’re the CEO of BP or Enron).

Finally, it all comes down to the fact the system of paying professional athletes is broken. They are swimming in money, much of it totally undeserved or unearned, and it needs to stop.

When asking people whether they think athletes are paid way too much money, most agree with me.

Do you?

Mihir Bhagat is an award-winning writer and Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. You can view more of his work at the following link:

Mihir Bhagat at Bleacher Report

In a surprising finish to many, defending World Record holder, and Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica was upset by the United States Tyson Gay, who beat the “Fastest Man in the World” by an astonishing .13 seconds to win the 100 Meter heat posting a 9.84 time to Bolt’s disappointing 9.97.

Bolt first rocked the world at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he won Gold in both the 100 Meter and 200 Meter races, becoming the first man since Carl Lewis did it in 1984 to sweep both Olympic sprints.

He electrified the world even further when he proceeded to set a new world record last August at the world championships in Berlin with a nearly unbelievable time of 9.58 in the 100 Meter race.

Coming into these events, most thought he would easily win out over Gay, as he’d ran faster even this year than Gay’s winning time in this meet, posting a 9.82 time just a month ago in Lausanne, Switzerland.

As the race approached, the fans became silent, and their anxiety likely increased when there were two false starts prior to the race finally being run.

Once the race did begin, for the first stretch of the race, it seemed like it would end like all the others Bolt had taken part in, with him being the victor. Usain and Gay raced side by side in lanes four and five, and there was nothing immediately to indicate this would be an upset.

However, as the race progressed Gay seemed far more comfortable in his strides and in total control of the race, while Bolt seemed unusually uncomfortable.

Whatever the cause of this, the American pulled away from the Jamaican as Usain struggled to keep up.

“I think it showed that I wasn’t in the best of shape,” Bolt said after the race about his struggles. “I’m not unbeatable. I can be beaten and it showed today.”

Tyson Gay wasn’t crowing about the win afterward, though, recognizing Bolt’s physical struggles aided him in the win when he said, “I’m really happy with the win, even though Usain Bolt isn’t in the best shape It was very important to beat someone like that for the fans and the sport.”

It was even more of an upset to some because of the fact Gay had been struggling a bit of late. However, he has apparently now put himself right into the mix for the 2012 Olympic Games, and will easily be seen as one of the favorites, along with Bolt, to medal. Hopefully he can do well in those games and possibly beat Bolt again and take gold.

Bolt isn’t conceding that possibility, though, or losing to Gay or anyone else in the future.

“This is my easy season,” he added. “If you don’t beat me this season it’s not going to happen next season because next year is a championship year.”

Yet, with this win, despite Bolt’s apparent physical struggles, Gay has once again showed he’s one of the world’s top runners, and has shown he isn’t done yet.

In fact, he’s just getting started.

Race Notes: Richard Thompson of Trinidad placed third, posting a 10.10 time in the meet. Asafa Powell of Jamaica was forced to drop out Wednesday due to a back injury. This denied fans the chance to see the world’s “three” fastest men face each other.