The incident occurred on New Year's Eve three years ago, when Wilson and a few friends decided it would be a good idea to rent a hotel room, drink, smoke and videotape sexual acts. Everyone involved, including the girl and the prosecution, agreed that she initiated the act between her and Wilson. However, because it is a felony in the state of Georgia for teenagers to have oral sex (and, shockingly, only a misdemeanor for the same kids to have sexual intercourse), Wilson was charged and convicted.
The Georgia courts reversed the decision on Wilson recently by a 4-3 count. Though quiet, the repeal stands as one of the most important victories for sports justice handed down in the recent past. Wilson was a rowdy teenager whose crime did not merit the harsh sentence that it received. Wilson's feeling of invincibility became apparent that night, as he clearly did not think about the possible consequences of his actions. He was named to the All-Conference team in football and was a popular guy with a great academic record. He seemed to have everything going for him.
I understand that teenagers experiment with drugs and alcohol. I don't condone that in any way, but if you are a public figure in your town, the consequences undoubtedly will be magnified if you engage in those activities. When Wilson decided to drink, he did not consider that he could lose any chance of playing football straight out of high school, or that he could be sharing a small cell slightly larger than a cage just a few months later. I can't say that the attention Wilson drew to himself was unwarranted. His decision is one that he will have to live with for the rest of his life. "It's embarrassing to me," Wilson has said. "You see yourself. 'Man, I acted like that?'"
Because in Georgia sexual intercourse with a minor is worth less jail time than oral sex with a minor, if he had sex with the 15 year-old girl, he would have gotten a one-year sentence. Instead, he served two years of a 10-year sentence before the decision was reversed.
Wilson's charge was ultimately changed due to an enormous lobbying effort by B.J. Bernstein (Wilson's attorney) to get the Georgia State Legislature to reexamine the archaic law concerning child molestation. The legislature changed the law and reduced the crime from a felony to a misdemeanor. The Georgia high court used the legislature's action as a basis for its decision that the 10-year sentence was "cruel and unusual punishment." This change should have been made years ago but, due to the legal formalism within the high courts, nothing was done. Someone like Wilson had to waste years of his life in jail to pay for the flaws in the justice system. It is interesting to note that Wilson originally rejected a plea offer that would have freed him from prison months ago in return for his registering as a sex offender. Instead, he accepted the punishment he was given, refusing to accept a label that he believed he did not deserve.
Upon his release from prison, Wilson said that he was looking forward to spending time with his family, and that he plans to enroll in college to study sociology. His chances of playing Div. I football have probably evaporated, but he could play at junior college and work his way up from there. Compared to what he has been through, it shouldn't be much of a challenge.
Quick Hits: NFL Midseason Playoff Predictions (Part I of II)
NFC East Winner: Dallas Cowboys. Their high-powered offense outweighs a questionable defense by too large a margin. The combination of Tony Romo and Terrell Owens, as well as the two-headed monster of Barber and Jones at running back, should prove to carry them down the stretch. Record: 13-3.
NFC North Winner: Green Bay Packers. Brett Favre continues to defy age, however a dismal running game may keep the Packers from going far in the playoffs. A solid corps of wide receivers led by Donald Driver and rookie James Jones should continue to flourish. Record: 12-4.
NFC South Winner: New Orleans Saints. The Brees and Bush combo is back, as they didn't realize the season started until Week 5. After an 0-4 start, the Saints have won four straight, and don't have much to compete against in their division. They'll march into the playoffs. Record: 10-6.
NFC West Winner: Seattle Sea-hawks. Shaun Alexander can't get it together, but the 'Hawks manage to lead the division anyway. Matt Hasselbeck is proving he can lead a team without many weapons, and the NFC West is just downright bad. Because there is no way Arizona, San Fran or St. Louis is making the playoffs, I'll take Seattle. Record: 9-7.
Wild Card: New York Giants: 11-5
Wild Card: Detroit Lions: 11-5