Friends or Foes: Athletes Face Dilemmas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph was cleared of any wrong-doing in connection with an Indianapolis drug ring. The NBA all star is trying to repair his image and damage to his reputation.

There is proof of Zach Randolph's charitable side including paying light bills for needy families to giving away tickets to fans for games. Z-Bo has shown he has a big heart which might make it tough to cut off the very people who brought him down.

Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph was scrutinized after reports surfaced of the poor choices made by his friends.

First a drug ring in Indianapolis where a long-time friend of Randolph's was arrested in a vehicle registered to the NBA All-Star. He was also linked to a Los Angeles strip club beat down.

Randolph was not charged in either incident, but he was still painted guilty by association.

Z-Bo's critics are now saying the way to avoid de ja vu is simple, cut ties with the comrades who are damaging his image.

"It's not new. Historically when you look at athletes and pro-athletes and the culture in which many of them come from, it's a struggle."

Russ Wiggington is the Vice President for College affairs at Rhodes College. He's also written a book on African American athletes.

He said shutting out long-time friends isn't always the answer.

"It is easier said than done to cut off people that you know, to disassociate yourself, perhaps from family members, certainly that's not endorsing, supporting folks who may be breaking the law or may be in troubling situations but if you have a long time relationship with somebody, maybe one role you can play is to help revise them or turn the corner,” said Wiggington.

Former Memphis Tiger standout Antonio Burks might be able to best explain what Randolph is going through. Nearly a casualty in his hometown, Burks was shot while hanging out with childhood friends in South Memphis. Ten months later Burks says while he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, he'll never cut ties with his buddies.

"The people who was there for me when I didn't have nothing, they're still around me now, but the people who the world tells you to be around, where are they?” said Burks.

"I can tell you honestly, my school (the U of M), me in my situation, I'm not talking about everybody but the main people, they never reached out to help me,” said Burks. "They didn't reach out and ask, Antonio, are you alright? Do you need this? Never. But you got some people who checked on me inside the university but as far as the athletic director, never reached out."

Burks said standing by the same folks that stood by him before he had anything is the way he chooses to live his life, and making sure he can help those same friends in their times of need is important.

Life in the hood is not something everyone can relate to, but helping a friend or family member who's going through rough times Wiggington said, most people can.

"It's easy to suggest that they disassociate, a lot harder to implement. I think we could all point to personal experiences where we could say the same thing," said Wiggington.

We'd like to know how you think athletes like Z-Bo should deal with long-time friends making poor choices. Please leave your comments below.