Pittsburgh PG Story on Santonio Holmes: Is it Fair?

[daemon]

Steelers first round draft pick Santonio Holmes has been arrested twice since being drafted. He has some criminal background as well as three children out of wedlock. The Post Gazette ran a story today that quoted extensively a former NFL executive who now counsels college players on character issues before the draft. The guy worked with Holmes in January, apparently. The executive pretty much talks about how Holmes' character issues don't suprise him.

Below is the first few grafs of the story.

My question: is this fair?

Obviously, Holmes has some issues, and certainly his case could have made for a very interesting in-depth profile or character study.
But the story is pretty much a one-source story about one guy's opinion about Holmes. What's the purpose, that the Steelers should have seen Holmes' troubles ahead of time? Sorry, but one guy telling me that Holmes was "ready to explode" really doesn't do it for me. Especially when it comes to his rationale: that Holmes comes from a poor background and has children out of wedlock. By that rationale, I'd say 60 percent of professional athletes are "Ready to explode."


Tressell from Ohio State declined to be interviewed. Nobody from the Steelers is quoted, the only other voice in the story besides this former NFL GM is Holmes' high school coach. And he's just kind of thrown in at the end.

Certainly this guy's point of view is of interest to readers, but to use him as the backbone of a long case-study that seems to indict both Holmes and th Steelers seems a little unfair.

Any thoughts?

I've included the first few grafs and a link below.

When the Steelers picked him with the 25th overall selection in the NFL draft, Santonio Holmes was viewed as something more than just a replacement for Antwaan Randle El. He was a talented, big-play receiver from Ohio State who also was an outstanding punt returner, a player of such skill that the Steelers traded up seven spots in the draft to select him.

By all accounts, according to coaches and scouts, Holmes was a nice, likeable person who had helped his single-parent mother raise her four children in the tough, crime-infested neighborhood of Belle Glade, Fla., just south of West Palm Beach. When he reported to the team's minicamp a week later, Steelers coaches were impressed with his personality as much as with his physical skills.

Almost nobody could foresee what would transpire after that.

In a span of 25 days, Holmes, 22, was arrested in two cities, the most recent -- and more serious -- on a charge of domestic violence and assault against the mother of one of his three children. That does not include an arrest in November 2003, when he was charged with disorderly conduct in connection with an altercation outside an Ohio State campus dormitory in which four women reported being assaulted.

Not only has his off-field behavior raised questions about his character, but it also could result in punishment and possible suspension by the NFL for violation of its personal-conduct policy, even though Holmes has not signed a contract with the Steelers.

But at least one former NFL executive who deals with college football players said he thought Holmes was a problem "ready to explode."

Ken Herock, a former pro personnel director with the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, has a service called "Pro Prep" in which he counsels and prepares college players on how to conduct themselves in interviews for the NFL draft. As part of the process, Herock teaches players who have legal or behavioral problems what to say in interviews with NFL coaches and general managers.

Herock, a Munhall native, worked with Holmes in January.

Two years ago, he helped Ben Roethlisberger prep for the NFL draft.

"I had an impression of the kid, where he was from, such a tough area, but soon as he told me he had three kids I knew it was going to be a problem," Herock said. "He was dirt poor, all of a sudden he's got a little money, you get a little rambunctious.

"But I would have never thought it would happen now. I thought he might explode in year two or three. Add it up -- no money, poor family background, three kids already -- something's going to happen." (CONTINUES)

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06179/701601-66.stm

 

[Bob Cook]

I don't find the story patently unfair, especially because Herock is quoted by name and has had dealings with Holmes. But I do have three suggestions to make the piece fairer:

1. I would have made some mention up high of Herock's feeling that Holmes has learned his lesson and won't pull this stuff anymore. It seems to fit into the dichotomy the story establishes of someone who can be a nice kid but has had trouble shedding the baggage of his rough upbringing.

2. I would like to see some evidence, from Herock or elsewhere, that someone with a background like Holmes is more apt to get in trouble than others. Did Brett Myers come from a similar background? Don't elite athletes in general already feel like they get a free pass because of their talent?

3. Finally, and maybe the reporter did this, but there's nothing in the story to show that he tried to contact Holmes or one of his representatives.

 

[armageddon]

I don't find the story patently unfair, especially because Herock is quoted by name and has had dealings with Holmes. But I do have three suggestions to make the piece fairer:

1. I would have made some mention up high of Herock's feeling that Holmes has learned his lesson and won't pull this stuff anymore. It seems to fit into the dichotomy the story establishes of someone who can be a nice kid but has had trouble shedding the baggage of his rough upbringing.

2. I would like to see some evidence, from Herock or elsewhere, that someone with a background like Holmes is more apt to get in trouble than others. Did Brett Myers come from a similar background? Don't elite athletes in general already feel like they get a free pass because of their talent?

3. Finally, and maybe the reporter did this, but there's nothing in the story to show that he tried to contact Holmes or one of his representatives.

I agree that the only issues with the story are its construction and whether the author attempted to contact Santonio...

However, the fact JT clammed up for this story says a lot.

Herock knows his stuff and as he has dealt with pro athletes for many years his opinion is worth hearing. But he didn't state that Holmes was "more" likely to get into trouble than others. He said the telltale signs were there for eventual problems.

Kids with three different women at his age isn't a sign of issues?

That tells me he lacks discipline (which he does in certain areas of his life) and that he has a certain view of the role of women in relationships. That would be true whether he grew up near West Palm Beach or Beverly Hills.

 

[daemon]

I agree with both of you -- the subject matter itself is not patently unfair. I just think he made wayyy too much out of what is essentially one guy's opinion about Holmes.

This story begs for more voices, more perspectives.

 

[zagoshe]

Actually it is kids with two different women, not three, and it may just mean he gets laid a lot and had a couple of mishaps.

Some people must have forgotten what it was like to be 17 or 18 -- and most of us never experienced what it is like to be that age and a super star that has people -- women, adults, coaches, girls, street agents -- throwing themselves at your mercy.

I grew up in a house where we learned all about the birds and the bees and the importance of abstinence and safe sex and all that stuff and guess what, I didn't always stop to think about using a condom when I was a teenager and even in my early college years -- and most people on here if they are honest would say the same thing. Most of the time I did, but not every single time for whatever stupid reason. It is only by God's grace I made it through those years without getting caught up in a pregnancy situation or worse. I can only imagine what it would have been like if I WEREN'T taught the right things by my father or a strong positive male influence.

I'm not making excuses for the guy, he obviously should have used some protection, at least after he got caught up once -- but I think all of the criticism I keep hearing when a young athlete has some kids and isn't married is absurd, pious and a whole lot of self righteous BS by a bunch of people who apparently never were young.

 

[armageddon]

Is it fair? Absolutely. I'm surprised you even asked the question.

The writer gave both Holmes and his college coach a chance to talk for the story, both declined. He used the high school coach's bull**** "good kid" quote even though it brought little to the story and offered no real backup as to why he's a good kid.

But I agree with your accessment it needs more voices. If you can't get a Steelers coach to talk, get a former Steeler to talk. Go to Columbus and find the women who were assaulted. Take a trip and try to talk to the mothers of his children. Try to talk to the cops. If you did those things and they wouldn't talk, say so, but I don't think he did.

It's Pittsburgh. It's the off-season. You've got the time and the budget. There's no pressing deadline issue. Why not do something other than a bull**** two source story on what's clearly a significant issue?

The kids out of wedlock is an interesting issue. I cover a college player who was jailed in a domestic incident with a long-time girlfriend, then had a kid out of wedlock with a different woman, and recently disclosed he's having another child (not sure if it's with either of the first two women). It's the summer, I've got time, and I've wondered if this kids' inability to keep it in his pants is a legitimate story. Still pondering, but decisions like this have amazing long-term implications for all involved, and I think in the end I'll be exploring it at some point.

Although I do agree with the need for more voices I'd be cautous about assuming the writer would be allowed to go to C-Bus to do such a story.

If a similar situation took place at our paper right now, the trip probably would not get the green light because of financial concerns. :'(

 

[armageddon]

Some people must have forgotten what it was like to be 17 or 18 -- and most of us never experienced what it is like to be that age and a super star that has people -- women, adults, coaches, girls, street agents -- throwing themselves at your mercy.

Speak for yourself. ;D

 

[zagoshe]

No what I am saying is poor kids who grow up in a home and a neighborhood and culture without strong positive males around don't have the same view of consequences and choices as someone like you. You obviously wouldn't understand this. They see a whole neighborhood of single females with kids and no man around and that's what they are around all day every day - at church, at the market, on the street. It isn't about being dumb, it is about being young, it is about sometimes being impulsive, it is about sometimes taking chances -- like riding a motorcyle without a helmet -- because you think your invincible.

You can be taught something in school but if in your every day life you see something different, which do you think is a stronger influence? It is not about being smart or dumb, it is about what you learn growing up. Some kids are able to navigate their way through this rubble  -- I'd bet most of them had some positive male influence keeping them above the fray -- but most of them don't.

I'm not saying everything a kid does when he is young is excusable or not punishable -- obviously there are consequences. But idiots like you who want to rip into teenagers for making bad choices -- as if you never made any -- are obviously clueless and frankly have no place in this business.

 

[daemon]

Is it fair? Absolutely. I'm surprised you even asked the question.

The writer gave both Holmes and his college coach a chance to talk for the story, both declined. He used the high school coach's bull**** "good kid" quote even though it brought little to the story and offered no real backup as to why he's a good kid.

But I agree with your accessment it needs more voices. If you can't get a Steelers coach to talk, get a former Steeler to talk. Go to Columbus and find the women who were assaulted. Take a trip and try to talk to the mothers of his children. Try to talk to the cops. If you did those things and they wouldn't talk, say so, but I don't think he did.

It's Pittsburgh. It's the off-season. You've got the time and the budget. There's no pressing deadline issue. Why not do something other than a bull**** two source story on what's clearly a significant issue?

The kids out of wedlock is an interesting issue. I cover a college player who was jailed in a domestic incident with a long-time girlfriend, then had a kid out of wedlock with a different woman, and recently disclosed he's having another child (not sure if it's with either of the first two women). It's the summer, I've got time, and I've wondered if this kids' inability to keep it in his pants is a legitimate story. Still pondering, but decisions like this have amazing long-term implications for all involved, and I think in the end I'll be exploring it at some point.

Although I do agree with the need for more voices I'd be cautous about assuming the writer would be allowed to go to C-Bus to do such a story.

If a similar situation took place at our paper right now, the trip probably would not get the green light because of financial concerns. :'(

Six hours round trip and maybe an $80 mileage check is all it would have taken.

Not sayin' that's what shoulda happened. Just sayin.

 

[Ralph Waldo Henderson]

I'm not saying everything a kid does when he is young is excusable or not punishable -- obviously there are consequences. But idiots like you who want to rip into teenagers for making bad choices -- as if you never made any -- are obviously clueless and frankly have no place in this business.

When I was a teenager I made some bad choices. Skipped school a couple times. Didn't study for that astronomy test. Decided not to go to Syracuse even though they were offering me a scholarship.

What I did not do was have sex without a condom and bring another soul into this world, a kid whose parents were not only unwed but who were probably too young, poor and unready to properly raise a kid.

 

[JuneBug1]

Dulac (the writer) is good. Check that, he is very good.

He gave the Ohio State people a chance to defend Santonio and he gave the guy a chance to defend himself.

I agree, there should have been the graph reading "Holmes didn't want interviewed for this piece" but other than that, I think the story is a gem.

Just my take.

 

[armageddon]

Is it fair? Absolutely. I'm surprised you even asked the question.

The writer gave both Holmes and his college coach a chance to talk for the story, both declined. He used the high school coach's bull**** "good kid" quote even though it brought little to the story and offered no real backup as to why he's a good kid.

But I agree with your accessment it needs more voices. If you can't get a Steelers coach to talk, get a former Steeler to talk. Go to Columbus and find the women who were assaulted. Take a trip and try to talk to the mothers of his children. Try to talk to the cops. If you did those things and they wouldn't talk, say so, but I don't think he did.

It's Pittsburgh. It's the off-season. You've got the time and the budget. There's no pressing deadline issue. Why not do something other than a bull**** two source story on what's clearly a significant issue?

The kids out of wedlock is an interesting issue. I cover a college player who was jailed in a domestic incident with a long-time girlfriend, then had a kid out of wedlock with a different woman, and recently disclosed he's having another child (not sure if it's with either of the first two women). It's the summer, I've got time, and I've wondered if this kids' inability to keep it in his pants is a legitimate story. Still pondering, but decisions like this have amazing long-term implications for all involved, and I think in the end I'll be exploring it at some point.

Although I do agree with the need for more voices I'd be cautous about assuming the writer would be allowed to go to C-Bus to do such a story.

If a similar situation took place at our paper right now, the trip probably would not get the green light because of financial concerns. :'(

Six hours round trip and maybe an $80 mileage check is all it would have taken.

Not sayin' that's what shoulda happened. Just sayin.

I agree the costs would be minimal -- to you and I.

But the beancounters look at that and say: Can't you do it by phone? :

 

[DyePack]

He needs to change his name to Dontonio.

 

[jackfinarelli]

I'm a tad concerned at the willingness of Messr. Herock to speak in such detail here. After all, he provided a professional service to Santonio Holmes - much as a counsellor/mentor. I realize there is no strict confidentiality privilege here as there would be with a doctor/patient, but isn't anyone a bit concerned that this guy revealed so much private info about his client?

Just asking...

 

[somewriter]

I think he mostly is revealing how much he failed. Why would I hire this guy when he clearly hasn't done his job very well and then blabbered about it afterward? More career suicide than anything.

 

[jgmacg]

Without highjacking the thread, a couple of philosophical questions to broaden the discussion:

1) Why run this piece at all?

2) Of what possible material interest is this young man's private life to the PG or to its readers?

3) If he can catch a football, what business is it of theirs how he chooses to live?

4) When does a draft choice become a moral judgment?

5) Finally, synchronous to the 49 other minority issues threads this week, why do "background" pieces of this kind, the ones written from an obvious premise of moral judgment, overwhelmingly focus on African-American athletes?

 

[zagoshe]

Now who is making assumptions about who. Maybe I grew up in an area not much different than you are talking about and was fortunate enough to have a dad around and saw the advantages I had that many of my friends did not.

And if you are truly a social worker, then I would assume you do understand that background -- how you grew up, what you learned, the things you were taught, the things that were around you -- do have a big influence on your life.

Not every kid growing up in a bad neighborhood will turn into a single father that does crime, but the percentages are a lot higher and the chances are much greater. That much is a fact and if we want to turn this into a thead about the socio-economic influences on crime in this country we can. The overwhelming common denominator among people in prison isn't color or race, it is poverty.

Beyond having sex -- kids do stupid things. Don't tell me you didn't. Did you ever binge drink at a phrat party? Did you ever street race with your buddies? Did you ever mess around with fire works -- there are consequences and choices that kids make every day and a lot of the time they don't use their head. They act impulsively.

That's part of the maturity process. That's part of growing up.

When I was younger I used to street race in cars at high speeds -- because I liked the thrill. Thankfully, I never wrecked, but I had a few friends who died in car crashes, and one who has been in a chair for the past 15 years. Looking back, it was dumb and we knew it at the time.

For you and anyone else to take this approach that somehow a guys character is defined by some stupid things he did when he was growing up -- be it having unprotected sex or speeding in a car -- is sanctimonious, hypocritcal and pathetic.

There are clearly consequences for your actions, some are just more visible than others.

 

[zagoshe]

That's the point -- Holmes is still just a KID. He will hopefully grow up. He will hopefully make better choices. But the holier-than-thou attitude some of you take when discussing these KIDS and the choices they've made is ridiculous.

The legal stuff is troubling and nobody is here giving him a free pass. I just think the tone of some of the criticism -- similiar to the tone of the criticism of Roethlisberger, or Kellen Winslow or Jay Williams -- is absurd.

Like I said, some of you act like you never were 18 or 19 and made bad decisions -- did dumb things knowing they were wrong or dumb. The difference between you and I and many others is we either didn't get caught or got extremely lucky. THAT has nothing to do with background and everything to do with growing up.

And the Division I basketball team I am around most has 14 scholarship players and on last year's roster, at least seven of them had kids --- two had multiple kids -- and all of them are black and from urban neighborhoods. That's probably just a coincidence though.

 

[zagoshe]

He's not a millionaire yet and if you don't think the combination of his background + most likely never having any consequences for his actions because the so-called adults in his life viewed him as a meal ticket out of that life aren't reasons for some of the decisions he's made, then you are an ass and frankly I question your credentials as a social worker.

He conceived the first two children when he was still a teenager and probably thought he was in love because it was with the same girl and they are two years apart. His third child is with his current girlfriend. By all accounts I've read he takes care of all three and if he continues to do so - and he will have the financial ability to do so -- then he's obviously taken responsibility for his choices.

 

[armageddon]

That's the point -- Holmes is still just a KID. He will hopefully grow up. He will hopefully make better choices. But the holier-than-thou attitude some of you take when discussing these KIDS and the choices they've made is ridiculous.

The legal stuff is troubling and nobody is here giving him a free pass. I just think the tone of some of the criticism -- similiar to the tone of the criticism of Roethlisberger, or Kellen Winslow or Jay Williams -- is absurd.

Like I said, some of you act like you never were 18 or 19 and made bad decisions -- did dumb things knowing they were wrong or dumb. The difference between you and I and many others is we either didn't get caught or got extremely lucky. THAT has nothing to do with background and everything to do with growing up.

And the Division I basketball team I am around most has 14 scholarship players and on last year's roster, at least seven of them had kids --- two had multiple kids -- and all of them are black and from urban neighborhoods. That's probably just a coincidence though.

Zag: Not trying to be a prick at all but I'm confused.

Regarding the topic of North Carolina's "choke" you assert that since they're on Division I scholies they are fair game.

But here you assert that we need to make an effort to realize Holmes is just a kid?

That seems, ahem, a bit inconsistent from my seat in the box.