Last week, I tried to write a bit about the off-field life of professional athletes, dipping into the Tiger Wood’s situation a little too heavily.  I never published it because it landed somewhere between excuse-making and preaching- neither of which was I going for.

Well, Doug Glanville wrote a fantastic op-ed piece about what it feels like to become a professional athlete.  The temptations are around every corner, it would take a spectacular man to avoid them- though there are a few that do.  Doug Glanville makes the point though about how hard it is to for these young men, set free with time and money and talent, to avoid the pitfalls.  We allow our kids to think of them as role models, but who are the role models for these players?  Who is guiding them off the field?

Incidentally, Glanville has a book coming out, which from many reports from the reporters that have read it, should be definitely worth the purchase price. Check out this piece, for a taste of where he is coming from.