Big Sexy? Not to My Eyes
July 6th, 2007Former professional wrestler Kevin Nash was on Hannity & Colmes last night. The interview began with Colmes asking Nash if ‘roid rage is a big problem in the wrestling industry; Nash said no. They asked him if he has done steroids; he said, No. They asked him if he had rages on the steroids; he said, no. After, they asked him if he thought that steroids could’ve caused it and he said, “You can’t discount anything” but he clearly was, and then he pointed out that Benoit had been drinking and if you check our prisons there have probably been more alcohol-related crimes than steroid-related crimes.
At which point will the media start asking about doctors and stop asking these ridiculous questions night after night about ‘roid rage? It’s becoming absurd — they ask the same questions, get the same answers, and spout off with the same nonsense each and every night. It was good of Kevin Nash to point out that they didn’t care about the truth or facts or alcohol (I’d have pointed out renegade doctors) because it isn’t “sexy.” Someone had to say it.
A few days ago I wrote about Marc Mero as an unfair source and a couple of days later I wrote about regretting it because he appeared on MSNBC with Steve Blackman and was a fair, impartial source. He appeared on Grace’s show with Blackman but this time, they had a huge argument when Mero told him to “be honest” so that they can make a difference and save families that have been abused by wrestling drugs. Blackman took offense and said, “You can’t say I haven’t been honest.” Mero said, “You keep saying you haven’t taken steroids” and they argued over it but then Marc Mero threw a fit about how Blackman should try to “make a difference” (essentially arguing that Blackman is killing people by not “speaking out,” whatever that means). Blackman then spoke of personal responsibility in an attempt to defend the industry and WWE. Mero then spoke about how wrestling needs to be regulated, something I agree with in principal but not entirely due to logistical issues I’ve discussed before. Then Nancy Grace tried to paint professional wrestling as an industry that encourages wife-beating and violence. Steve Blackman said, “I don’t see the correlation.”
I was troubled by Mero’s…enthusiasm, I suppose. It’s nice that he cares, but he’s screaming at Blackman for no reason and he’s all too willing to make the industry out to be a devil’s. I’m in favor of what he’s saying — since day one, I’ve been discussing their schedule and how it all needs to change — but he needs to calm down and speak with eloquence, not in huge decibels.
There are two other stories coming out today that merit notice.
Fox News Channel reports this afternoon on Chris Benoit’s mother wishing investigators acted more quickly on information that her late son was buying massive quantities of steroids. The anchor asked a criminal defense attorney, Geoffrey Nathan, about the mother’s statement. He said federal law enforcement may have looked the other way because they are hesitant to ruffle the feathers of big-time athletes. Arthur Aidala, a former prosecutor, said there will be more investigation into Benoit’s doctor, Dr. Astin. “He’s a drug dealer who had permission to sign his name to a prescription,” he said. The anchor noted that the doctor is at risk of charges of manslaughter. The prosecutor said it could be tough to go that far, but definitely he’s on the hook for potential drug distribution charges.
There we have something else that should be investigated: prosecutors, and their unwillingness to ruffle the feathers of doctors and athletes. Doctors, too, as I’ve been harping on for several days, but these two issues — which are far more important and complicated than what the media’s been discussing — will continue to be ignored, alas. I just can’t believe the government knew that he was abusing steroids and they did nothing to him or his doctor.
I’ll bet that happens a lot.
Here, finally, is the obituary of Nancy and Daniel Benoit. It’s very sobering.