No update on the Javon Walker situation as of yet, but it's clear this was a very, very serious attack. And it's a clear indication that athletes, no matter how invincible they might think they are, are more of a target than 99 percent of society. Fame and money can be great things, but with that notoriety comes a face that people recognize, and unfortunately they are are predators out there who equate that face to a target.
Without knowing the details of the Walker robbery, I feel I safely can say his attacker either knew who Walker was or knew that he had a lot of money and was a celebrity of some kind. There were reports that Walker was whopping it up at a Vegas nightclub and likely was flashing some cash. That might have alerted some people to Walker's presence and perhaps led to his attack.
All speculation, of course. But it shows just how dangerous it can be out there when you're famous, especially as an athlete. You might be bigger or stronger than most people, but if you have money and are in a situation where you don't have help, anyone can be a victim.
I have talked to players about this. They say you can't live your life looking over your shoulder, but at the same time you also have to be mindful of who you are sitting near, who you are talking to and most importantly, what positions you put yourself in.
Let's be fair and not blame the victim here. Walker might have been having a perfectly acceptable night of fun; we don't know. I certainly don't want to say that he should have been more careful in terms of flashing cash or whatever, but it raises the serious issue of exposure -- especially in a place like Las Vegas -- and how athletes need to protect themselves.
My guess is that this incident will be mentioned ad nauseum at the NFL's Rookie Symposium at the end of the month in San Diego (June 29-July 2). NFL security only can do so much. You can't hire full-time protection for players, obviously, so players are going to have to be mindful of their surroundings more than ever in light of this attack.
Scary stuff.
Comments (11)
What? A better title would be "Javon Walker acts like an ass and gets beat up." It happens everyday to a lot of people you obviously don't know and aren't famous.
Posted by Rob G. | June 17, 2008 11:56 AM
Posted on June 17, 2008 11:56
Looks like he will fit in perfectly with the Raiders. What a dumbass!
Posted by r8tr h8tr | June 17, 2008 11:56 AM
Posted on June 17, 2008 11:56
Now you got a real Raider...eye patch and all!
Posted by Orange Crush | June 17, 2008 11:58 AM
Posted on June 17, 2008 11:58
Wow, did it ever occur to you guys that he might have been a victim here? Tough crowd.
Posted by Eric Edholm | June 17, 2008 12:37 PM
Posted on June 17, 2008 12:37
Javon was a walking advertisement for getting beaten up and robbed. Spraying 15 grand at a club? Flaunting his wealth? Is anyone really surprised he got his ass kicked?
Posted by rbk | June 17, 2008 3:02 PM
Posted on June 17, 2008 15:02
he is a victim, but you don't go flashing money around like an idiot and wasting 15k on champagne only to spray it into a crowd of people. When you have money and keep your mouth shut and don't flash it around then chances are things like this won't happen. And why was he walking around by himself anyway? where was the limo?
Posted by rk | June 17, 2008 5:33 PM
Posted on June 17, 2008 17:33
"Let's be fair and not blame the victim here."
That's comedy gold right there ......
Walker did everything wrong. Let's not make this into an issue where NFL players, rich people, and those of influence get even more perks and protections. Walker brought this on himself with his behavior and actions that weekend.
Posted by Shamrock | June 18, 2008 3:07 AM
Posted on June 18, 2008 03:07
So you're saying that a man who has money to blow -- and clearly did so -- deserves to get walloped outside a club? Do I think Javon Walker is the classiest guy in the world? No, I do not. Did he deserve to have this happen? No way, man.
Posted by Eric Edholm | June 18, 2008 2:36 PM
Posted on June 18, 2008 14:36
The jackass was practically begging to be jumped, deserved or not.
Posted by rbk | June 19, 2008 12:51 AM
Posted on June 19, 2008 00:51
Being an athlete does make him LESS sympathetic in this case. What a bunch of hard heads. Imagine if that happened to someone you know. Like you wouldn't party it up in Vegas if you were young, good-looking and rich? Hypocrites. Walker is a victim and is lucky he did not get hurt worse.
Posted by mgl | June 19, 2008 7:14 AM
Posted on June 19, 2008 07:14
Athlete or not, no one deserves to be assaulted in such a manner. Nonetheless, anyone who has excess cash should know better than advertise it in a club. The criminal element in today's society preys on that type of mistake.
Posted by Mr. J | June 20, 2008 12:07 PM
Posted on June 20, 2008 12:07