Manny Pacquiao and steroid use allegations...

I do not believe Manny Pacquiao does steroids.

I start my article making this statement because so many people only read the headline of an article, and maybe the first line, before clicking off and moving on. All they walk away with is, "Manny Pacquiao and steroids."

There have been accusations of Manny Pacquiao and steroid use lately. And I want to emphasize that I do not believe Manny Pacquiao is a user of any performance enhancing drugs. I'm sure many of you know I’m not a “super fanatic” of Manny Pacquiao but I’m not a hater either. I am very conscious of his accomplishments in the sport of boxing and believe he is one of the best, if not the best fighter today.

When I read or hear that Manny Pacquiao is using steroids, I can't help but ask, where is the proof? And I always get the same answer, that it’s impossible for a fighter to go up in weight the way Manny Pacquiao has and retain power and speed as he has. And again I ask, where is the proof that accomplishing such a feat is impossible?

All things bring me to major league baseball. The great sport of baseball has been and always will be America's favorite past time. Baseball is one of the few things in this country that remains pure and wholesome to many. As the world continuous to evolve, baseball has remained the same, until the reported use, and in some cases proof of steroids abuse stuck its ugly head in America's favorite game. Fans have gone from cheering homerun hitters to raising an eyebrow every time a homer has been hit. Hell, an inside the park homerun isn’t even considered safe anymore. If a player runs the bases too quickly, the very speed that got him to home base may have been acquired from steroids, or so it is being implied. We saw our heroes become bigger, faster, and stronger in the later stages in their careers; when most would have been slowing down, they were only getting better, and thus the accusations of steroids abuse.

A few bad apples have spoiled it for everyone. Every time an athlete improves his stats or plays better than the previous season many assume he may be using steroids. The days of thinking someone worked hard during the off season are almost a thing of the past. It is becoming unacceptable to believe an athlete has done everything he or she could in the off season to improve his or her game, more often than not it’s just assumed the person picked up a needle rather than weights.

If Manny Pacquaio would have done this 10-15 years ago no one would have thought twice about it. It would have been thought of exactly how it should be, a great fighter doing great things. And while fingers are being pointed, and accusatory allegations continue to be made, the fans shouldn't just point the finger at the media for the allegations. A finger most definitely should be pointed at the athletes who have brought about this shameful time in sports.