Playing by the Rules & Cameron Smith

The big news in Australian sport this week is the shock that Melbourne Storm captain, Cameron Smith, will miss the Australian Rugby League final due to his suspension. Stung for a 'grapple tackle' on Bronco's player, Sam Thaiday, Cam's protest is that other players had done it and gotten away with it. Though he is prepared to cop the 2-game suspension, Cam's argument sounds like one from a primary school playground. You know the one. "Oh Miss, they did it too!" (say it with a whiny voice for added effect).
The point still remains that tackling around the head and neck is dangerous and can have nasty and even fatal consequences. It reminds me of a quote by Oprah Winfrey, "“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.” Don't do something just because you can get away with it, even though it may do harm to another. A true champion values integrity and will avoid the attitude of winning at all costs. The cost can be too great so why risk it.
Football players and all athletes need to start taking responsibility for their actions and consider doing the right thing, rather than stretching the rules.