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The recent high profiled incidents involving  pro athletes and guns have exposed a cloud of concern in the world of professional sports particularly in the NFL. Are today?s pros becoming prime targets for armed robbers or is this another exaggerated trend based on a few over exposed media induced incidents?  The latest  episode starring New York Giants receiver Plaxico  Burris,  added a new  layer to the issue. Now the concern  is how do we protect these multi-million dollar athletes from themselves. Some of the more serious incidents involving professional athletes is indicative of what occurs in the urban environment and is a reality check for what has become the culture of violence.

Prominent athletes seem to have the same issue as prominent entertainers, especially hip hop artists and every day urban youth who choose to live a flashy and materialistic life style that puts them at risk. I don?t buy the argument that the NFL players need to carry guns because they are high profile celebrities and everyone knows their financial status which put them at risk of being Jacked or robbed at gun point. If that is true then why are we not hearing about pro. baseball players or hockey players having this problem? Besides what happened to Paul Peirce several years ago who survived a near fatal knife attack, we don?t see this as a problem for NBA athletes either who are even more visible and recognizable because they are not camouflaged by 15 pounds of equipment and 21 other players.   

With the exception of the tragic home invasion that took the life of Washington Redskins Pro Bowl Safety Sean Taylor, the majority of the gun related incidents involving  NFL players are self inflicted. No pun intended Mr. Plaxico. They choose to put themselves at risk by being in certain environments that they know may have some criminal elements such as ?Gentlemen?s? clubs, Night clubs, Gambling houses or places where illegal drugs are around. To further complicate things or add additional risk factors, some draw more attention to themselves by flashing money or wearing a hundred thousand dollars in Jewelry which makes them an easy target.  Why do some pro athletes feel the need to live a flashy ? hay look at me? life style? Do they not have enough exposure and attention already? It would be in their best interest to at least try to keep a low profile while in public. One of the richest men in the world could be sitting in the same room as a group of regular or common folks and unless you are a part of some geek squad fraternity you would never know it. Why, because Bill Gates would probably be wearing a worn out button down collared shirt and some $20 Docker pants.  No need for a concealed weapon or even a body guard.   

Did Plaxico Burress believed he needed to carry a firearm in a nightclub or was his just following a trend of wanting to feel like a gangsta?   One would argue that if he did then maybe  he should not have been there in the first place. Good old fashion common sense . I hope that many young athletes are looking and learning from Burress?s  bad decision. Particularly at a time when high profile athletes have gravitated or fallen for the glorification of gun violence which pervades too much of  urban youth culture.

I understand the desire to feel protected in the night clubs or in public. Its quite often that you hear of a rapper or athlete being robbed for his jewelry and hence the need for safety. The late-night attack on Jacksonville Jaguars offensive linemen Richard Collier which left  him paralyzed and Oakland Raiders receiver Javon Walker who was seriously injured during a robbery in Las Vegas have put players security at the top of teams concerns. What I don?t understand is if you choose to live a high profiled life style with all the flashy bells and whistles, then why not take the extra step in precaution and hire some professional security?

Deon Price is a youth advocate and freelance writer. He can be reached at eon.Price@comcast.net">Deon.Price@comcast.net