I sit around lately. OK, no I’m not usually sitting. Truthfully, I’m hiking, running, skating, or walking when I think most of the time. Why don’t athletes spend more time being people of high morals or character? Why isn’t there more focus put into their training regime at all levels, high school, college, and professional; on integrity, honesty, health and reputation?

Is winning and making huge money more important than the kind of person we become? More important than the image we portray? More important than our CHARACTER?

Bill Belichick (right) and the Patriots haven’t been back to the White House since the league caught them videotaping opponent practices. By Eric Draper [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Lance Armstrong

Pete Rose

Barry Bonds

Tonya Harding

Alex Rodriguez

Manti Te’o

Chinese gymnasts

Bill Belichick

Tim Donaghy

Ben Johnson

John Calipari

Rosie Ruiz

Danny Almonte

Donald Crowhurst…

These are the first that come to mind. But, it’s not about those folks specifically, it’s about what we’re teaching our young people. I’m not a parent or an educator. But, I give a crap about what our children become and how our world will look to them later.

If we gave less attention to unintelligent people who’ll do ANYTHING to get ahead and more on the ones that teach our children life lessons about truth, honesty, character and respect, wouldn’t our world be that much better? Maybe it sounds Pollyanna, or too idealistic. You may say I’m dreaming. But, but, but, I’d rather live this way, without desperation for success.

Cheating, lying, or hurting others should NEVER have a reward or payoff. I’m afraid for our world when we give so much attention to the negative, the crime, the dark. Where did we go wrong when we started worshipping the winners only or the richest only or the “best” only, the Hiltons, Lohans, the Kar-somethings? Reality TV is poisoning our youth. The reality of our sports stars is poisoning our youth. Irresponsible TV and movies are poisoning our youth! When oh when will we stop the MADNESS???

C.J. Silas is the host of the C.J. Silas Show on ESPN Radio 1280 Wednesday nights at 7:00.

CJ Silas’ new show, the CJ Silas Show, airs on ESPN Radio 1280 Wednesday nights at 6pm.

C.J. Silas joined me for a chat this week. C.J. has worked in radio for a long time, hosting shows on three national radio networks. We discussed her time in local and national radio, her love of the Dodgers, doing college football play-by-play, and roller derby.

I was intrigued by her honesty about the radio business, how it’s been for her in the past, and where she wants to take her show, The C.J. Silas Show. On that note, her new show debuts this week in its new time slot – Wednesday nights from 7-8pm on ESPN Radio 1280. We hope to have C.J. on a lot more often in 2013 to rap with us about local and national sports topics and issues… and probably to hate on, in her words, “the hated orange and black.” After all, baseball season is just around the corner.

One more note – We are now on stitcher along with being on iTunes. Go to www.stitcher.com and find us, along with a bajillion other great radio shows and podcasts.