Why Fault Tinsley?

Jamal Tinsley's actions were not wrong because he chose to go to a club. No, not even Cloud 9 should be off limits to professional athletes or anyone else for that matter. Whatever a grown man wants to do with his time is his business. The problem is that I have read about him for the wrong reasons three times in the past 14 months. Plenty of NBA stars now and in years past have led very active social lives that included Cloud 9 and many other clubs like it without any headliners. The problem seems to be related to the choices he makes when he is out with his entourage. Something about the way Tinsley lives the club lifestyle gets him into the news, and he needs to evaluate that both for his public image and for his own life.

Last week the Washington Redskins put one of their players to rest. Sean Taylor's memory should inspire all professional athletes and people in general to evaluate their actions and the consequences of those actions. Jamal Tinsley is fortunate that he did not suffer a similar fate. This isn't about whether or not he, as a man, is free to do what he wants when he wants. It is about whether or not his freely chosen actions place his reputation, or more importantly, his life in jeopardy.