There is no doubt that this man was a great football player and gifted athlete. I remember that Sports Illustrated magazine once featured an article and photos of their picks for most physically fit athletes....Jim Brown and Bobby Hull were their top choices. I loved watching the Cleveland Browns, even though a NY Giants fan, just to see JB run over people. Of course I also enjoyed when
Sam Huff, Giants linebacker, tackled him hard.
Football is a violent game.....tackle, block, hit, rush, blitz, sack.....and maybe it takes a certain aggressive/violent mentality to be a great player. Leaving that on the ball field surely must be a challenge for some. I remember my coaches pre-game pep talks when I played in High School.....hit em so they won't get up, if you don't come out bloody you didn't play your hardest, hit em so hard that their mothers will feel the pain! This was back in the sixties and I hope that has changed.
To me a great athlete doesn't just show his skills in the sport. He or she must demonstrate moral courage, civic responsibility and respect for other human beings. You are right that no one is perfect and being in the spotlight is extremely challenging. But if you realize that you have "issues" and don't address them and try to change then your luster as a great athlete is diminished.
There are plenty of gifted athletes who are also great human beings.
