What A Week for Sports Figures, Local and National

This has been a brutal week for off-the-field sports figures. Locally, Cardinals-Blues announcer Dan McLaughlin is having his announcing career completely unravel. Country singer Hank Williams, Jr. can no longer utter the words on ESPNs Monday night football, “Are you ready for some football?”

The Cardinals future-star McLaughlin has gone into alcohol rehab, and relinquished his lucrative off-season winter assignments with Mizzou and the local Missouri Valley Conference. Serving as independent contractor to both organizations, officials at the top are saying very little.

Media critic Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and StLToday reports through McLaughlin’s attorney brother Kevin that he has resigned those positions. McLaughlin released a lengthy apology, hoping to take responsibilities for his actions.

That’s a good first step. His late father, school teacher turned bank officer is probably turning over in his grave.

Those who are close to the family have indicated the terrible anguish and suffering that is going on by his immediate family members. Libby and Dan McLaughlin have four children, under the ages of six, including twins.

The local Town and Country resident has been arrested twice allegedly for drinking while driving in the space of 13 months.

Jack Donovan, skipper at Fox Sports Midwest has remained tight-lipped for the moment, though national network outlets have taken over all Cardinal post-season telecasts anyway.

I used the word ‘tragic’ in order to describe the transgressions and failings of this personable, talented and popular 37-year-old broadcaster. McLaughlin earned his stripes the hard way, mostly.

Libby McLaughlin and the children had nothing to do with Dan’s behavior, and now they get to suffer the consequences.

That is a tragedy. McLaughlin, like Joe Buck, was a rapidly rising star in the broadcast booth, and one can only wonder if his potential national broadcasting career is all washed up? At age 37, it may well be.

Meanwhile Hank Williams Jr. went on a tirade against the president of the United States Barack Obama, using an analogy comparing the president to Adolf Hitler. By no means was this a first for Williams or an isolated incident in his lifetime. He used the Fox News Channel as a vitriolic sounding board for his deep-seated hatred of the president. He claims he is within his first amendment rights.

I suppose bigots can say about anything on their minds, and get away with it?

Williams issued one of those typical politician-style half hearted 'if anyone is offended’ apologies, showing me much too little and much too late.

As for McLaughlin’s apology, it was more thoughtful and meaningful. In order to have a chance for a future career at all, he will need to emerge from rehab a whole new person. He can't ad-lib his way through the treatment like so many Hollywood stars do.

My guess is, if he wants to jump-start his career in broadcasting, it will have to be in another town.

Jim Baer is a Patch Editor who spent many years reporting on sports.