“I used to respect sports stars, back when they were Americans and role models for the kids.”
Back when he was in his prime playing days John Unitas lost a ton of money on a new bowling alley he invested in. He knew his name on the alley would pack the place.
One problem.
Because he was JOHN UNITAS the Maryland Alcohol Control Board wouldn’t give him a license to serve beer. They claimed that John Unitas selling beer would be a bad example for kids.
Without beer he couldn’t draw adults and the business languished for a year before he closed the doors. It took him years to pay off the debts.
Alex Karras was a big name for the Detroit Lions in the 60’s. He was suspended for betting on games.
Alex countered that the NFL was after him because if he took his wife out to dinner there would usually be a mob connected fan who would pay the bill and stop by the table for a brief chat and autograph.
The NFL warned Karras to stay away from underworld figures. Karras replied that it was impossible to go in public in Detroit at that time without coming into contact with mob connected people. It was impossible to operate a business in Detroit without dealing with the mob. Karras refused to sell his business, saying the Ford family had more contact with mob members than he did.
The next year he and Paul Hornung were suspended for one year for betting on games. Part of the agreement for Karras to play again was that he sell his interest in a restaurant because mob figures liked to frequent the place.
Even if Karras and Hornung had bet on games their treatment was tough compared to the way the league kisses the asses of the criminal element actually playing these days.
Commissioner Roger Goodell is the worst of all, figuratively fellating the third rate backup Kraperdikhead.
Alex only pawn in Game of Life.