Death Forgiving the Sins of the Living

Excuse me while I get on my high-horse for a moment...

Over the few weeks, we have witnessed multiple celebrity deaths. However, the two that are covered the most in the social spotlight have been Michael Jackson and Steve McNair, and for obvious reasons. One was possibly the world's greatest entertainer, and the other was a heck of an athlete that was murdered in cold blood. Two very media-friendly individuals, two monster stories to be covered.

However, it seems to me that society has chosen to overlook critical aspects of these two mens' lives that not only are socially unacceptable, but are also aspects that directly influenced each death.

The most obvious case is that of Michael Jackson and how his child molestation accusations became the reoccurring theme for every news story related to him for the past 20 years. We all know what he was accused of, we all had our opinions on the case. Needless to say, the man had major issues and was an incredibly disturbed soul, drug addict (albeit not by choice)... and possibly a criminal. Upon his death, however, all of that was forgotten and the world decided to focus only on the good in his life (which is definitely the way any of us would like to be remembered). But does this excuse everything else that happened these last 20 years?

In a related theme surrounding his death, Steve McNair was a highly-respected NFL Pro Bowl quarterback that brought joy to thousands of sports fans for many years. Yet, regardless of his successes on the field, we now learn that he was unfaithful to his wife (spanning several years) and was even killed by the drug-infested woman at the center of his affair. Turn on ESPN and what do you hear about? You hear about all of the fans coming to mourn his death, completely sweeping his infidelity under the rug.

Let me declare that I understand nobody is perfect. But at what point did a person's wrongs in life become forgiven upon his or her death? Do we remember the good things that Hitler did (if even possible, I don't know)? Will OJ Simpson be remembered for his Heisman trophy and not his murder trial once he dies... in prison, no less?

Update on The Mickelson Family

OK, now I feel like I can never make fun of Phil Mickelson ever again.

As I wrote in my previous blog regarding the recent breast cancer diagnosis for Phil's wife, Amy, I explained that I am selfishly hoping for her condition to improve so that I can go back to hating the villain of my golf world. However, after today's announcement, I pretty much have lost that privilege forever.

Mary Mickelson - Phil's mother - has now also been diagnosed with this horrible disease.

I really haven't the words to describe how this must make Lefty feel, so I will simply state that I cannot possibly have any additional ill-words towards the man and probably never will again.

My thoughts are certainly with the man and his family.