<p>[Vancouver</a> Rioter, An Elite Canadian Athlete, Makes A Teary Confession | ThePostGame](<a href=“http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201106/vancouver-rioter-elite-canadian-athlete-makes-teary-confession]Vancouver”>Vancouver Rioter, An Elite Canadian Athlete, Makes A Teary Confession | ThePostGame.com)</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t buy it. He is remorseful because he got caught. If that vehicle had exploded, many people could have been injured or killed. I think this kid should be in jail!</p>
<p>there’s a reason we use 18 year old boys in battle, they’re willing to run directly into gun fire when ordered. I’d cut the lad some slack.</p>
<p>Now I did just have a long talk with a 2 time Canadian Olympic gold medalist rower so I’m soft on Canada right now!</p>
<p>Everyone makes mistakes, particularly in the heat of the moment like that. Shouldn’t you cut him some slack, particularly considering his talents?</p>
<p>I’ll add that in the “heat of the moment” certain people go for it, even if it’s wrong. They can’t help themselves, they love the action, to outperform everyone around them.</p>
<p>It’s why Mario never drove the family car. His wife did. He said he just couldn’t stand to be past.</p>
<p>If I’m in battle or Olympic competition I want this kid on my squad!</p>
<p>Let’s see how the Canadian judicial system works (or doesn’t work). As a society you can’t tolerate & condone this behavior. I really don’t care if he is an Olympic athlete, Pope, or unemployed bartender. He should see some jail time and community service. Yes, he is 18, so I 'm cutting him some slack…no prison time. The next time somebody loses a sporting event (it happens, grow up!) there will be a price to pay if people mindlessly riot in the streets and try to set fire to police cars.</p>
<p>^^i agree with that too! It’s just one of those dualities, I don’t condone the dangerous behavior but I understand why an 18 year old kid does stupid things, and more directly why a high performing athlete takes risks. Unfortunately in this case a really stupid risk, which I’m sure he regrets. Thankfully know one was hurt or he’d regret it the rest of his life.</p>
<p>Fenway, I agree with you completely! I have always thought that athletes are representing their team, their school or club, and their country. Therefore, they should be held to a higher standard of behavior. This was a National Team member! What was this kid thinking. I don’t buy the mob mentality, athlete mentality, testosterone or adrenaline rush. This was a dangerous act and an extremely poor decision on this young man’s part. And I wonder if we would be hearing his tearful apology if he had not been videoed. He even says he is trying to clear his name. Good luck with that…</p>
<p>he’s 17. and the car did not catch on fire. so no harm no foul, kind of. i think a fine and community service along with what he’s already done, publicly apologizing, is enough.</p>
<p>No way would I want my kid to go to jail, not even for 1 minute. Jail is the most demoralizing experience you can do to someone. I’d do everything possible to keep my kid out of jail. And any parent can have their kid end up in a similar situation as this kid has. Your kid is not stupid until they do something stupid.</p>
<p>Are top performing (aka winning) athletes bigger risk takers, that’s an interesting question. Seems to me it’s a risky proposition to stand in front of a 180 pound runner going full speed for home which Posey just had his leg broken from. And certainly downhill skiing and race car driving is pretty crazy behavior. I think there’s an element of “going for it” or taking the hit that resides in all top athletes. That element combined with a 17 year olds brain, a mob, and most likely more than a few beers is the right combo for dangerous, stupid behavior.</p>