The Downside of the Champagne Life

There never seems to be a shortage of scandals in the sports world.  Whether it involves guns, drugs, or women, trouble always seems to find athletes.  Mets pitcher, Johan Santana, recently found himself in hot water when a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in October 2009.  Santana denied any wrongdoing and was never charged.  He did admit the two had a consensual physical relationship.  Last week, the woman filed papers alleging imprisonment and rape.  She is seeking upwards of $15,000 in damages. 

Santana has been married for years and he and his wife have known each other since they were nine years old.  The two also have three children together.  While it is not shocking to hear another story about an athlete gone astray, it certainly does not feel that way to the parties personally effected by the infidelity.  The athlete lifestyle undeniably exposes sports figures to temptations.  Some have managed to overcome them, while others cannot seem to help but give in.  In the end, the ones who truly suffer are the athlete's wives and children.  If more men were honest with themselves and did not enter into committed relationships or start families before they were ready to give up the single life I think everyone involved would be better off.