they win, the MVP titles they are awarded, or the statistics they produce. However, due to this common misconception, athlete’s flaws can be amplified.

Sex scandals are one aspect that haunts the sports world, due to the fact that one discrete action can result in major public ramifications. Athletes are put on a pedestal in society. Therefore, when they exhibit sinful acts; they are scrutinized on a larger scale.

“Athletes should be punished more severely when they act in viceful ways because they think that none of their actions have any consequences. These players need to be brought down to earth,” sophomore Robert Lugo said.

For example, the famous Kobe Bryant sex scandal in the summer of 2003 had major repercussions for the Los Angeles superstar. Bryant was accused of raping a hotel attendant while he was staying in a Colorado Spa Resort prior to a scheduled surgery. Not only was Kobe married at the time, but he also had to deal with the public’s supreme backlash, and heckling at each game after the incident.

Nonetheless, the sexual assault charges were dismissed against Bryant after the victim refused to testify, and the case was dropped after a civil court settlement between the two parties involved. However, the backlash that Kobe received during the process was irreparable.

“I honestly believe that Kobe Bryant raped that women, and he truly deserved the public’s rage over his inhumane actions,” senior Soum Lokeshwar said.

In addition to Bryant, superstar quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was accused of two different rape scandals in a mere two years. In his most recent accusation, Roethlisberger was accused of assaulting a 20-year-old college student in the bathroom stall of a bar.

Although the case was settled without any criminal charges, the quarterback was dealt a six game suspension from the NFL.

“The fact that this incident occurred twice in two years shows the fact that Roethlisberger is guilty,” junior Matt Barona said.

Many individuals in society judge athletes solely by their “godly” skills, instead of taking into account the content of their character. The fact that these professionals are constantly in the public eye puts their private lives in the open, and it becomes difficult for onlookers to ignore their immoral actions.