FORMER BARBADOS and West Indies cricketer Tino Best last week admitted to going to bed with as many as 650 women. The startling admission was made in his upcoming autobiography Mind The Windows: My Story.
Since the story broke, many Barbadians, especially on social media sites, have been caught up in the numbers game, expressing shock and awe at Best’s actions. To his credit, however, the cricketer said he was not glorifying his actions, but instead was showing that he had grown and matured from a boy into a man.
But, this issue is far more than just about the numbers. It is about taking control of one’s health and being responsible for one’s actions. Many were swift with their criticism of Best, and rightfully so, when they read how he had hooked up with women from the many nations he toured with the West Indies.
However, this goes beyond that boundary and speaks to the general conduct of athletes who travel the world to play sports. In the past there have been examples of top athletes like basketballers Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, whose exploits in the bedroom were made public, and embarassingly so. They didn’t only suffer public ridicule and shame, but in the case of Magic, there was much public attention as he contracted HIV after having unprotected sex.
There is no doubt that some athletes are seen as celebrities in their own right and as such, will have fans or groupies who will follow them around, hang on to their every word and try to get close them. Some go as close as stalking them and trying to enter their rooms.
However, while this behaviour from the fans can almost be predicted and is even expected, the onus is on the athletes to be more responsible for their actions. They must not only exercise good judgement and a measure of control when faced with these types of situations, but also recognise that they have more to lose than their doting fans. Their performances could be jeopardised, their reputations tarnished and their celebrity status downgraded.
Today is Heroes Day in Barbados and the reality is that some of these athletes are seen as “heroes” in their own right. Young people, in particular, look up to some of them and view them as role models. If for no other reason, therefore, they need to display exemplary behaviours that would not only make themselves proud, but also the young ones who want to be like them.
What is also worrying is that while health officials for years have been spreading the message of taking responsibility for one’s sexual health, the message seems to have fallen on the deaf ears of some athletes who don’t only travel the world only conquering their sport, but also looking to rack up the number of women they can take to bed.
Athletes need to take full responsibility for their actions on and off the field.