Finishing The Story.

Let's just start.

The beginning isn't as important as the end anyway...


Lance Armstrong's Foundation has raised nearly 500 million dollars to help those who are dealing with cancer.

His story was a symbol of hope and strength for so many.  He was THE American Hero, who beat Cancer, then went on to be one of the most celebrated athletes in the world due to has ability to win a record number of 'Tour De France' competitions in a row.

Yet after years of steadfast denial, he admits that he DID cheat the rules of the competition and competed with an artificial advantage.

Let's just stop there.

Manti Te'o was a superstar.  He was an incredible athlete, at a recognized institution that had it's best and most storied season in at least two decades.  He was good, and what resonated more, was the tragedy that had befallen him, losing both apparently his Grand Mother and his girlfriend on the same day, and within 6 hours of each other.

Now, it appears that Te'o's girlfriend was never ever real, and that this was either a con job on either Te'o or it was a con meant for ESPN and the American Public in an effort for Te'o to generate more 'buzz' around his senior year and perhaps move his stock up in the draft.

Let's stop again.

These stories are great.  They're incredible, they have lies, they have cover-ups (seemingly) and they offend our senses.  They are what you dream for as a journalist looking for an article that will sell.

But these stories are not finished.

The proper line of questioning needs to be followed and executed.  Those involved must be asked direct, thoughtful questions, and those asking must be searching only for the truth and not a pre-conceived notion of what they believe the truth to be.

I do not believe that in either case their actions merit immediate or overarching penalties. 

As pundits, reporters, analysts, podcasters, bloggers, and columnists all come together to offer our over inflated opinions, I for one will preach patience in these stories, for there are still many questions that should be asked, and deserve an honest answer.

As much as want justice, as much as we want our heroes, as much as we want the stories to end in a fashion we desire, we cannot assume the outcome here, and to do so could allow guilty parties to remain free while innocent ones are unfairly harmed.

Today, and in the weeks to come, continue to read about the stories of Armstrong and Te'o because their stories are unique, intriguing, full of powerful institutions and people, and full of deceit.

But most of all, read on because the ending hasn't been written.