South Florida Registrant and NFL Legend Helps Announce the Relaunch of the Presidential Fitness Test in Public Schools

Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced the return of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test with the help of some big names in sports. Among them, Lawrence Taylor! Yes, that Lawrence Taylor. NFL legend, Hall of Famer, and, yes, a registered sex offender for soliciting an underage prostitute. Here’s a nice photo of them in the Roosevelt Room. L.T. at the microphone and Trump looking on admiringly.

The irony is that the test is given to school age children to assess their physical fitness. But Taylor isn’t supposed to be anywhere near a school! Don’t get me wrong. Obviously I’m a big proponent of second chances and spend many hours each week advocating for registrants. I’m also a fan of the Giants legend. It’s just that yesterday I watched a press release where the Sheriff of Marion County is standing at a podium calling “these people” irredeemable pieces of s*** and today I’m looking at a picture of one of “those people” speaking about a program (for kids, no less) with the President and Vice President looking on admiringly. It’s pretty tough to reconcile.

It’s not just Lawrence Taylor. Another famous Florida registrant, Mike Tyson (I’m also a big fan… not of the crime, but of all his other accomplishments) has had a huge resurgence recently. Here’s a nice photo of Trump and Tyson yucking it up at a recent UFC event.

What bothers me about all this is that in the world we live in, when it comes to people like myself, no matter how far in the past or how deeply accounted for, that one blip in an otherwise great life will always be the first line of our obituary, even if we’re still alive and giving back to our communities. But for celebrities or the wealthy, there’s no hiding. They are just a man with a complicated history being asked to contribute, the same way others are, based on their talents and accomplishments. If you’re famous or wealthy, society finds a way to say, “but look at all the good they’ve done.” If you’re not, the door stays shut—forever.

People on the registry are told over and over that they are irredeemable. That nothing they do — be it volunteering, starting businesses, raising families, staying re-offense free for decades — can ever outweigh the one thing they did wrong. Unless, of course, you’re in the NFL Hall of Fame. Then suddenly, we can talk about second chances.

Don’t misunderstand me; it’s not that Taylor shouldn’t be allowed to represent a fitness campaign. He should. But so should the person who spent decades of quiet, steady effort to live better lives. The message shouldn’t be that fame erases the past. The message should be that people deserve to be known for more than the worst thing they’ve ever done, whether they’re a Super Bowl champion or someone you’ve never heard of.

Because if we’re going to allow one person to stand up and be recognized for their full humanity – flaws, triumphs, and all — we ought to let others do the same. Not because they’re famous. But because they’re human.

Oh… and as a side note to Lawrence Taylor or Mike Tyson: If you are reading this, you’re on the Florida registry just like we are. We could really, really, really, use your support in advocating for reform. Please consider becoming involved in the effort.