It is human nature to need heroes. Sport heroes inspire us to be better, to work harder, to strive for more. And we celebrate, admire, and even worship them in return.

‍

It is also human nature to make allowances for those heroes and their failings. It’s why so many people continue to revere and make excuses for accomplished men and women even after they’ve been exposed as predators. No athlete is above the rules on the field of play. When we hold everyone to the same standards of conduct, we prevent good people—our heroes—from doing bad things. And we stop bad people too in the process.

‍

And that requires a cultural shift.