Photo by: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Photo: By Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com
Apologies are a slippery slope. The become easy to spit, and often lose all meaning. That is why it is refreshing when an athlete like Chael Sonnen comes along. Sonnen who has always made headlines in his career made them once again when he tested positive on multiple occasions for PED’s. He retired as a result, and since has been issued a 2 year ban by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Then he was released from his position as a broadcaster, leaving a major hole on the FOX Sports stage.
Since his departure, Sonne recently called the shots at “MMA Battlegrounds” with legendary announcer Jim Ross. He also started his own podcast titled “You’re Welcome”. During the inaugural episode Sonnen discussed his positive test with Ariel Helwani and offered a refreshing take!
“For me, the litmus test was flawed. Here was my litmus test: can’t be a steroid and it’s got to be legal. I can’t take anything, I don’t want to be in possession or consume anything that’s not legal. And what I’m talking about there is I’m not talking about the commissions and the rules, I’m talking about the law. I’m talking about if I’m holding something in my possession and a police office sees me, am I allowed to have that or aren’t I? If the answer’s Yes, then I’m in. That was my test. If I can get this legally, if there’s a legal medication, I’m taking it. I’m not cross-referencing that with the commission. I’m not going to take the rules or anything over that of a doctor. I told myself to sleep well at night. That’s a flawed test. I don’t think a lot of guys do that from this era.”
“I don’t think there’s a lot of guys that do it. I think that the problem, or the guys in the violation of the rules are the guys from my time. The guys that before these rules take place or were changes and adapted to what they are now, the guys that got set in their ways, they grew up through the 80’s and grew up in the early ’90s, they just grew up doing stuff wrong. I think that’s where the real problem is. I know that’s where it comes for me. The other thing is that it was working. I was feeling good, I was having some good success. You’ve got to stay in compliance, it’s completely wrong, but there it is. I’m speaking purely about mindset now. I think that’s what my mindset was.” Chael Sonnen From his podcast “You’re Welcome” on Podcastone.
Maybe its time we stop looking for forgiveness. Or maybe we should just go back to using our parents as role models. Maybe we should just let the athletes entertain. When they do mess up like you and I; maybe they should be judged as men and women, not as pariahs!
One thing is certain is Sonnen’s ‘I’m sorry im not sorry’ approach (and i’m paraphrasing) is a fresh take, one long over due in sports. Im not saying we should forgive him for cheating, but for god sake how long do we have to endure his absence? Maybe its time we reward honesty, instead of continually perpetrating an apologetic fraud!
To listen to “You’re Welcome” click the link below
THE CLINCH REPORT 