What Do Bristol Palin and Alex Fraudriguez Have In Common?

It's no secret that A-Fraud is number one on my list of phony athletes. He occupied that position long before the steroids scandal came down. But, his press conference held at the Yankees spring training yesterday took it to a new level of ridiculousness. Many things that he said made me want to puke, but his sudden desire to be an "advocate" was particularly puke worthy in my opinion.

Yesterday on foxnews.com (you know, the fair and biased channel :-), I saw pieces of an interview with Bristol Palin. Bristol, the 18 year old daughter of Alaska governor Sarah Palin, recently had a baby out of wedlock. There's nothing unusual about that, and, to be honest, the interview was filled with softball question after softball question, but something Bristol said did catch my attention. That is, two months after having the baby, she has declared that she now wants to be an "advocate" for teaching kids it's not wise to have children so early. I found it puke worthy. 

Alex Rodriguez was outed last week, and even though he didn't answer the question when asked, he never would have come out and admitted to steroid usage otherwise. In other words, it wasn't that big of an issue to him just two weeks ago. Two weeks ago he didn't care that teenagers were using steroids. Two weeks ago he didn't care about the long-term health effects of steroids. Two weeks ago he didn't care about being a role model. Two weeks ago he was "stupid" and "naive" (his words). But today, since he was outed, we are to believe he passionately feels that teenagers shouldn't use steroids, that information is disseminated regarding steroid related health issues, that he becomes a great role model, and that overnight he now is filled with wisdom and is knowledgeable about the ways of the world? I don't think so A-Fraud. Let's see you stay clean (as evidenced by a self-imposed, regular blood testing scheme administered by a third party outside of baseball) for the next 10 years, renounce your MVP awards, suggest an asterisk be put beside all future records, and then I'm willing to listen to you as an "advocate." And, by the way A-Fraud, regardless of what you said in your presser, I'm relatively certain God didn't allow this happen to put you in a position of advocacy...I'm pretty certain you did this to yourself.

Bristol Palin, in her interview, was asked and talked ad nauseum about the level of family support she is receiving in raising her child. Her mother, father, sister, grandmother, grandfather, great-grandmother, and aunts are all participating in caring for her child. This allows her to continue her schooling (she graduates high school in May). Her future plans still include attending college, a career, marrying her boyfriend and father of her child, and ten years down the road having another child. Now, I really do like Bristol Palin (as I tend to have a soft spot in my heart for teen mothers that realize their mistakes) and I am very happy for her and her child that she has such a great support group. But, Bristol does not in any way resemble the poster child for teen pregnancy as she will face virtually none of the issues the average teen mother faces. Like Alex, ten years from now, when you've accomplished some of your plans, and overcome a few obstacles that you might face, I'm willing to listen to you as an "advocate." But right now, the only thing most teens are going to see you advocating is having a child  (because mommy and daddy will obviously help support it), going on tv and becoming a celebrity, and how your life has had no real negative effects from your mistake. Not buying it.

Can we please lay off the advocacy for a bit? We're seeing right through this whole PR bit (especially you A-Fraud!). 

One last thing...I may have one last A-Fraud blog in me before I'm through. There's another aspect of his ESPN confessional interview that I'd like to cover. :-)