In reality, we can prove that the incidents of drug, alcohol abuse and violence have dropped dramatically among professional athletes - but the problem is it would be impossible to convince than fans, because of what they read on the AP wire.

People who have addictive problems usually have some subset of emotional difficulties that causes them to abuse substances.

But the equipment to protect the players hasn't developed along with that, so now you have more players out with worse injuries, for longer periods of time.

Forty years ago the chances of journalists reporting - or the authorities even prosecuting - a pro athlete were practically nil.

Well, when you've had Tom Cruise play you, anything else is a comedown.

We live in a niche world.

When it came to football there was a certain age where I realized that my future in football was being a grease spot on the side of some bigger player.