Athletes nowadays are not always capable of staying up to the expectations that are set for them. Often times punishments such as fines or partial suspension still allow the rule breaking athletes to continue to take part in their sport, ruining the severity of the discipline.

Michael Phelps is among many athletes who have been punished for a crime that  should have devastated his athletic reputation but his punishment proved to be on a scale that was not so severe.  In 2009, he was caught on camera smoking illegal at a party. This occurred just three months after the swimmer won eight gold medals at the Olympics.

“I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect of me,” Phelps said in an interview with Associated Press. “For this I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

However, in response to his actions, the punishments weren’t all too drastic. Phelps was banned from USA swimming for only three months. And had his face removed from Kellogg’s cereal box.

“Athletes can get away with doing illegal stuff just because of their talent,” senior Ryan Rettke said. “This doesn’t teach kids our age a good lesson.”

Athletes sometimes commit crimes in which the punishments for their illegal actions reflect directly to the crime associated with it, making it a fitting consequence for their actions. Such cases occurred when crime is on a much larger scale and can not be brushed off.

In the case of Aaron Hernandez, who was the tight end for the New England Patriots, his alleged first-degree murder was brought to national news. Hernandez is also charged with several other crimes, all leading up to his immediate arrest.

The severe punishments for his crimes included removal from the New England Patriots team, ending his football career. Additionally, Hernandez had to go through trials for his case which were extensive, as well as expensive.

“Being removed from the sport because of the accusation of murder is a huge punishment for the player but a necessary one,” senior Ryan Rettke said.

The crimes that must be committed in order to be removed from a team must be on a large scale and be permanent to emphasize the seriousness of the crime.

“Athletes shouldn’t associate themselves with bad things [such as murder or other illegal actions] or people that could lead them into trouble with their sports, like Aaron Hernandez did.” Senior Lauren Leto said.