Editorial: Pro athletes getting off easy

Monday, May 15, 2006 | 7:20 a.m.

When individuals are convicted of crimes and receive community service as part of their punishments, most people think that this would entail activities such as picking up trash and getting rid of graffiti that has been spray-painted on walls. That is the case - unless you are a prominent athlete, according to a recent report in USA Today.

It is not uncommon for star athletes to actually receive community-service credit for, believe it or not, signing autographs or making public appearances before nonprofit groups.

In a survey of 28 cases involving professional athletes, the newspaper found that 24 included activities such as posing for pictures, signing autographs, attending or coaching at youth sport camps and even throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game.

The latter instance involved Las Vegas native Kurt Busch, who received credit for throwing out the first pitch at an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game on April 18. Busch was sentenced to 50 hours of community service as part of his sentence after a plea deal on misdemeanor charges. USA Today noted that Busch, who had been pulled over for speeding in March and became belligerent with police, did pass subsequent sobriety breath tests. Nonetheless, he admitted to speeding and passing in a no-passing zone.

Busch also agreed to other community-service requirements, such as paying for the production and media costs to broadcast a public service ad on television that would warn about the dangers of drinking and driving - and that's good to see. But, overall, the courts afford leniency to professional athletes that their fans never experience - nor should they.

While it certainly would be humiliating for star athletes, they should be hunched over and picking up trash as part of their community service. Signing their autographs just doesn't cut it.