Cheating: The Pressures of Professional Sports

     The following is a link to a story that breaks my heart.  I am ready to watch athletes who follow the rules and win with guts, determination and hard work ALONE.  Nothing is more of a drag than finding out someone who's talent you admire is accentuated by illicit drugs.  It's kind of like buying an amazing piece of sports memorabilia just to find out it was stolen.  Leben (link below) is just one of the many who succomb to the pressures of professional sports.  The sad truth?  There are so many others who bask in the glory and never get caught.

     Who is to blame for this illicit drug use...The owners? The fans? The trainers? The athlete?  I blame them all.  Coaches, trainers and owners of teams need to offer support and professional help to those that seem to choose unwisely.  Often greed and pride make them turn the other cheek.  Every fan wants their team or athlete to win, but unkind words sting and can often burn deep into an athlete's soul.  As for the athletes themselves, life is full of temptations and athletes need to be able to revisit their core values and choose wisely.    There are sports psychologists that can offer techniques to help handle the excessive pressures, as well as, other athletes/ friends at that level that can offer support.  Simply put, paid athletes are a PROFESSIONALS, and that means they must be held to a higher standard than others.  Illicit drugs are a form of cheating, and even though hard work and sweat is still involved in the process of performing at a top level, no one wants to root for the ath;lete that doesn't play by the rules.

     So often I see patients in my clinics get hooked on their meds because it offers them an escape from the pressures of their lives.  It is my job to make them feel good throughout their day without the use of these drugs.  Sometimes, it is as simple as creating a fun rehabilitation atmosphere and other times I need to be brutally honest.  Either way, getting them strong physically and mentally is my job.  I can only imagine the pressures a professional athlete faces on a daily basis, but realize that these drugs no matter what the intent devalues your legacy.  I am ready to watch the real Guts and Glory of the athletic world and cheer them on...are you?

http://www.tsn.ca/mma/story/?id=381515

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