???After reading the disturbing news about Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch and his possible felony gun and drug possession, I was struck with a question.
???What in the world was he thinking?
???This is a just another instance of athletes not thinking about the consequences of their actions.
???Lynch is going into his third year as the Bills franchise running back and he has already been the topic of numerous legal issues. Last year, Lynch was in the national spotlight for being involved in a hit-and-run that sent a woman to the hospital.
???If that wasn't enough to make him realize that he was walking a thin line, the actions by his fellow NFL players should have made him realize that all players should put an end to their unacceptable actions.
???After Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg, I thought that everyone in the football community knew that players should be more careful in regards to questionable actions in public.
???Lynch could have also called up Adam "Pacman" Jones and asked him how he felt when he was suspended for the legal troubles he got himself into last year.
???Jones's suspension is an example of the "no-nonsense" stance that the NFL has taken to clean up the negative reputation that is plaguing the league.
???If anything, these two circumstances should have reminded Lynch to be more cautious.
???There are many who are defending people like Lynch because they feel as if athletes are unfairly under fire by the media.
???However, if you're a celebrity of any kind, you should be aware that being targeted by the media comes with the territory.
???What these defenders of athletes fail to realize is that these athletes are expected to make the right choices, just like anyone else.
???If players go out in public and they feel they need protection, they should hire bodyguards. Who cares if people say you're soft because you ride around with security?
???Or is it too much to ask that they don't go out as much?
???These people have been asked to sacrifice their diets, time and energy. I don't think that asking them to sacrifice a few nights on the town is way out of the question.
???I hear athletes all the time say that football is their life and that they would be torn apart inside if it was taken away from them.
???If this is the case, stop doing stupid things that will ultimately get your love taken away from you.
???Lynch is one of the best running backs that the Bills have had in a number of years, and fans of his will be devastated if he can no longer play, especially over a situation that could have easily been avoided.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
