"What A-Rod Should Have Said"
Alex Rodriquez has had a bad two days, and I just finished watching Alex’s interview with Peter Gammons on ESPN. Alex admitted using steroids in 2003, after denying it on an interview with 60 Minutes in 2007.
He had a golden opportunity to send a real message, to turn around what has been a trying relationship with the fans, and to be more than just an extremely highly paid athlete and celebrity.
What was the message he sent? Mixed bag at best, and most certainly a lost opportunity.
What Alex did right:
He came clean (so to speak), admitted that he used steroids, was fairly critical of his past transgressions, and spoke about wanting to be more involved with kids and his community, especially where he grew up in Washington Heights (although this was only after Peter Gammons set up the topic through repeated questions).
What I did not like about Alex’s interview:
The constant shots at Celena Roberts, the Sports Illustrated reporter who first broke this story — it came across as very whiney, very “why me” and very angry. The constant referral to coming clean, and his being “honest and forthright” rather than acknowledging he only came clean after 48 hours of non stop pressure.
Peter Gammons was spoon feeding questions to Alex, trying to get Alex to focus on using this as an opportunity to help kids, work with kids, and on and on. Alex didn’t seem to “get it.” While I am focusing on message, his delivery also left a lot to be desired — his tone, mannerisms and body language did not look remorseful, but instead a bit hostile. He just didn’t seem sincere.
Here is what Alex should have done:
“Peter, five years ago, I made a very dumb decision. I then lied about that decision not only to reporters and fans, but to myself as well. I am ashamed of my behavior, and I apologize to my fans, my employers and the game of baseball. I have not used steroids since 2003, have passed xx drug tests since then, and will be happy to submit to weekly drug tests, at my own expense, if that helps to reassure my fans.”
At which point he should have turned FROM Peter and looked, and spoken, straight into the camera;
“I want to speak to my most important fans, the young fans. I realize I am a role model, that many of you look up to me, that many of you want to play professional baseball and one day play for a great organization like I do. I let you down. I let you down, and nothing bothers me more that that. Nothing. There is nothing more important in this world than being honest, and I wasn’t, and for that I am so so sorry.”
“ The money, cars, records, Hall of Fame, none of it is as important to me is making those who put their faith in me proud. I promise I will work everyday to regain your trust and to be a player you can be proud of….”
He should have followed this with an announcement of coaching a winter youth camp somewhere, doing a speaking tour at NYC elementary schools, volunteering every week in Washington Heights, and the list goes on and on.
So, for the second straight week, a high profile athlete has been caught making a mistake, and for the second straight week, has had a less than stellar response to the situation. It is a shame, as it really is a lost opportunity – in both situations the athlete could have walked away more popular than before.
Everything you do sends a message — this is yet another case where actions can speak louder than words. Time will tell whether they do or not.
Hey Matt -
I completely agree. On a tangent though – I really don’t understand all of the hubbub, on this topic. In 2003 steroids weren’t illegal. If *I* took steroids, and *I* was asked about them, I would probably respond with a, “Mind your own business, kids.”