If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed to receive instant updates.
Former track star Marion Jones began her six month federal prison sentence this afternoon at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, located on the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth. It appears Marion got “somewhat” of a deal because this particular prison specializes in medical and mental health services, but has select inmates who don’t require that kind of care (Jones).
After frequently denying ever having used performance-enhancing drugs, Jones admitted she had lied to federal investigators in November 2003. Jones also admitted lying about her knowledge of the involvement of Tim Montgomery, the father of her older son, in a scheme to cash millions of dollars worth of stolen or forged checks.
I figured this would be the perfect chance to take a look back at our profile of Marion’s potential prison mates. Big Shirley will give Marion all the love and care she can muster.
Shamed Olympic sprinter Marion Jones has crafted a letter begging for the judge to take it easy on her when she is sentenced next week. Marion says between the public shame, the loss of gold medals, and losing all of her money, she shouldn’t have to go to jail. The mistake Marion made was asking for forgiveness in a letter, the judge can simply say no behind closed doors.
Had she groveled at his feet in person then maybe she could have gotten what she wanted. No red blooded American can withstand the charm of Marion’s rogue tooth. She flashes that award winning smile and sends us into a frenzy, our collective hearts melt. I’m inclined to call for Marion to be forgiven, but I’ve already been exposed to the dissenter tooth, so I’m incapable if giving an unbiased perspective.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors suggested she be sentenced to six months in prison at most. In pre-sentencing papers filed Dec. 21 prosecutors said anything between no time and six months would be appropriate.
Good thing she doesn’t have Michael Vick’s judge, prosecutor recommendations mean diddley squat to him.
10. The Isiah Thomas Trial - September
Oh man… I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone with as much egg on their face as Isiah during his sexual harassment trial. What part was most damaging? Was it the moment he said black men can call women bitches but not whites? Was it the moment he tried to re-enact a scene from “Love & Basketball”? Was it the moment he said the Knicks season ticket holders could kiss his ass? Take your pick.
9. Bobby Petrino and Nick Saban Chunk Up The Deuce And Hit The Road- December/January
Loyalty Schmoyalty. These two playas didn’t have time to stick around and rebuild franchises, they wanted success and money. Neither man even had the decency to face their team in person to tell them they were leaving, Saban and Petrino disappeared like thieves in the night.
8. Floyd Mayweather Knocks Out Ricky Hatton- December
It wasn’t shocking that Floyd won the match, it was shocking that he knocked Ricky Hatton out. Even the most dedicated Floyd Mayweather fans weren’t crazy enough to predict he could knock out Hatton, who somehow had a reputation for having an iron chin. (see the video here)
7. Marion Jones Admits To Using Steroids- October
Marion could write a book on how to be a great liar, she had the entire nation convinced. I think we were all hypnotized by that stray tooth at the top of her gums, it has a soothing effect. What’s even more remarkable is her ability to fade away after confessing her guilt. She could be working at Subway right now for all we know. (see the video here)
6. Michael Vick Goes To Jail - August/December
This isn’t one event, but moreso a series of events that led up to Vick’s incarceration. Michael Vick has caused some hot debates on this website, but one thing we all agree on, is he’s a huge idiot. I can’t recall seeing someone fall from grace so fast in my life, even Mike Tyson took longer than this. Tyson didn’t lose his money until a good 12 years after his rise to superstardom. Read the rest of this entry »
From reading up on this issue, all signs seem to point to this being a HUGE story that will whip the media into a frenzy in the coming weeks or months. The report prepared by George Mitchell probing into steroids use in baseball will see the light within 30 days and according to ESPN, “the report will name many players, including some big names and some names that have not surfaced to date.”
Something this juicy is exciting, I can’t wait to see who’s gonna feel the heat for taking performance enhancing drugs. I’m also interested to see if any of these “big names” will be scrutnized as much as Barry Bonds has. Especially if it’s someone like a Roger Clemens. You know who will be thanking her lucky stars? Marion Jones. She’ll be all but forgotten about once the media gets a new whipping boy to assault. It’s not like most people particularly care about Track & Field in the first place, after the olympics are over it sort of fades into oblivion.
This will GREATLY affect the Criminal Fantasy League standings, with all these players being accused and/or proven to be using steroids. Baseball will most likely take the lead in the standings.
As more athletes cave in to pressures of federal investigators about their use of steroids, a familiar alibi has popped up enough times for me to take notice. The first time I heard Bonds say he ‘unknowingly’ took performance enhancing drugs, like most people I dismissed it. When Shane Mosley said it, I dismissed it. Now that Marion Jones is saying it, I still don’t believe them… but I find myself giving the argument more merit than I used to. If I had to bet my hard earned money on what was most likely to be true, I’d bet that all three athletes are lying, but I believe it’s worth looking into.
Bonds and Jones specifically said they were told that they were receiving Flax Seed Oil, and after a session of Google sleuthing, I found this gem in an ESPN article:
Olympic sprinter Tim Montgomery testified that Victor Conte used flaxseed oil containers to send “the clear” to athletes.
The fact that the steroids were given to athletes in a package saying “Flax Seed Oil” isn’t a smoking gun to prove their innocence, besides it’s not like if you buy a dime bag on the street corner it’ll say “WEED” on the package. But I consider this a nugget of info that may or may not be useful later on.
Marion Jones said she lied when she was questioned in 2003 by federal agents investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. Jones said she panicked when agents presented her with a sample of “the clear,” which she recognized as the substance Graham had given her. (supposed Flax Seed Oil)
Former track star Marion Jones began her six month federal prison sentence this afternoon at the Federal Medical Center Carswell, located on the Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth. It appears Marion got “somewhat” of a deal because this particular prison specializes in medical and mental health services, but has select inmates who don’t require that kind of care (Jones). 
