If the difference between the talent of Vick and Redman matters, context doesn't change. In fact, that standard just reinforces the shallow perspective of fans.

Context, people. Context.

I doubt the Falcon Faithful would have called for Vick had their top two quarterbacks not been injured.

If I had Chris Redman under center, I'd be calling for Vick too.

Agree Cheryl. To your point about steroids, I've been around that culture somewhat, but thankfully only from a safe distance. Ego has very little to do with it, though an obvious side-effect of that kind of chemical experimentation is extreme boarishness. The incentive and motivation is simply to be able to compete at the same level as their peers, who are also using the juice. To not use steroids in their minds (and this is very realistic and even pragmatic) they would not make the team or get the money. It's all about having the chance to compete to get the rewards that come with enhanced performance, thus the term "performance enhancers."

Just look at the physiques of most of these athletes. Weight-lifting alone and a strong diet do not give the normal human body the cartoon-like cut that so many college players pros have today.

True, many athletes do not use steroids, but even now you'd be surprised at how prevalent they are. The real dishonesty lies in the leagues and the players' unions that still do everything to minimize the effort to rid sports of steroids. Why? The product would suffer, and so would revenues.

Tiger needs forgiveness like he needs another million dollars. Since when do our idols have to be paragons of virtue? In the old studio days, the PR folks hid the alcoholic tendencies of their stars--enabling their addictions rather than helping them. Today, a musician's battle with drugs or mental illness doesn't stop me from enjoying his/her music. Tiger's escapades won't prevent me from enjoying him in competition. I think the true shame is in the number of athletes who used steroids to artificially inflate their egos and their income. They were dishonest to the fans who supported them.

Yes, America is much more ready to forgive Tiger. Most of his "victims" are gold-diggers, groupies and the model he married. If money convinces her to stay with him, she likely fits into the gold-digger category. The innocent victim here is his son, but lots of jerks have kids and the kids still love them. I won't argue with that. It's not my business.

As for image, it seems that sports fans are in good need of some PR. They are coming across as superficial, suffering from a mass form of ADD, and downright stupid.