Athletes charged with crimes

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/23/future-ray-lewis-employer-dredges-up-murder-case/

As we all know a week from now it is Super Bowl Sunday and we are set to see the Ravens and the 49ers. On the 49ers there is Patrick Willis playing linebacker and on the Ravens there is an absolute legend who goes by the name of Ray Lewis. Ray Lewis has rewritten the record books and in his 17th and final season in the NFL is playing for the highest honor, the Super Bowl trophy. Even at the pinnacle of  his success he is marred from an event 13 years prior where he and 2 companions were charged with murder. The charges were dismissed and he was proven guilty of obstruction of justice, a misdemeanor. Ray Lewis plans to work as an ESPN analyst after he retires and the question is raised "Can he handle being constantly asked about it.

Personally I believe in the same position as the U.S. government and that is that you are innocent until proven guilty. If someone is not proven guilty of a crime they shouldn't be treated like or be referred to as a criminal. This standard tends to be negated when it comes to athletes. When they are accused of a crime they are seen instantly as guilty and and can never let it go. I parallel this situation to the Kobe Bryant rape case in 2003. The case never went to court and he is still called a rapist to this day. I don't know what it is that makes athletes unforgivable but it shouldn't be that way.