Be a good football player!

Powell's attorney told Judge R. Patrick Hayman during the non-jury trial that a conviction or probation could end Powell's career as a wide receiver at the University of Maryland.

"Son, you are about to get an early Christmas present, because I know what effect a probation would have," Hayman told the defendant Monday. "And it is a gift, because you are guilty as sin. I'm going to find you not guilty."

What a crock of shit. The judge, damn well knowing the defendant was guilty, pronounced him not guilty. This is a travesty in America. If I were to assault a police officer, guess what? My friggin' career would be over too. Boo hoo.

To add insult to injury -

 ... Powell was likely to face disciplinary action, but the charges had not kept him out of preseason practices

I bet he's poopin' his pants right now over 'disciplinary action'. I mean, he gets a Get Out Of Jail free card from the judge, how bad is it going to be? One less beer at his next party?

Like Stacy (who gets the hat tip) said, I plan on raising my kids to understand that sports figures, pop singers, and movie stars are not automatically role models. If anything, many of them aren't worth mentioning much less looking up to. The job itself does not make you a hero (i.e. I spent 8 years in the Marines without seeing combat and while I served my country well, a hero I am not) it's what you do with it that does.

We need more Pat Tillmans in this world.