Cheaters Never Prosper...Unless We Let Them

Remember the saying you heard from one of your elders while you were growing up?:

"Cheaters Never Prosper."

Well, in the 2000s, it seems as though that adage has more gums than teeth.

Barry Bonds, while being investigated for perjury regarding steroids/HGH use, signed for $16 million dollars for one year with the Giants (who apparently bid against themselves) so he could break* Hank Aaron's all-time home run mark. San Francisco's owner Peter MacGowan, who secured guaranteed sellouts because fans wanted to be part of the historical* season, then grew a conscience after the record was broken and said he would not continue to employ Bonds.

Roger Clemens, who most now believe extended and enhanced his career with illicit chemicals, pulled about $48 million for three, less-than-full seasons in his annual coming-out-of-retirement sales. He also racked up three or four more Cy Youngs (depending on when you think he started juicing--allegedly) and surpassed 300 victories. The Blue Jays, Yankees, and Astros all benefitted ($$$ and wins) from the Rocket's needle launches.

Bill Belichick, who we now find out may have authorized the video taping of opponents clear back to the 2000 season, has guided his team to four Super Bowl appearances--winning three of them--during the time in question. He's won Coach of the Year awards, a fat contract extension, and media fawning over his genius. It's almost like he knew what plays the opponent would call in certain situations. Oh, yeah...he probably did.

Kelvin Sampson, who apparently never met a phone he didn't like, has been cracked twice for recruiting violations and is now facing a third round of charges. Meanwhile, he's guided his Oklahoma and Indiana teams to 20-win seasons eleven times. He's mixed in a Final Four appearance and even pulled a late switcheroo from one-and-done super guard Eric Gordon. Hmmm, did Sampson call Gordon more than the allowable limit? Nah, he didn't call Gordon. His assistants did--then he just jumped on the other line to listen.

While their reputations have been sullied for good and they may have suffered other penalties (loss of Hall of Fame status, monetary fines, and probable unemployment), please don't tell me they didn't prosper. All of them did--to the tune of millions of dollars, hallowed records/achievements, and varying degrees of celebrity status.

The only hope to put teeth back into our elders' adage is to deliver meaningful punishments to the offenders. Our young people need to see cheaters held accountable--even if those cheaters were once their heroes.