(Former) Portland Trailblazers forward Qyntel Woods recently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal abuse and was subsequently waived by the organization.

In his column today, John Canzano of The Oregonian picks up on a remark someone made that Thursday was "a sad day" for Qyntel Woods, and really puts the situation into a Real Life perspective. He compares Woods' "plight" with that of a Portland man who was laid off from his job as a software engineer in 2001 and has been trying to keep his life together while finding steady work. Quoting from Canzano's column:

Never mind that two NBA sources said Woods, 23, failed a drug test. Never mind that Woods pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal abuse. Never mind that Woods once presented a basketball trading card to a state trooper as identification. And never mind that in December, while the Blazers were playing in Atlanta, a team representative reported that Woods showed up in the lobby of the team hotel smelling like marijuana.

Woods is still entitled to $12,525 per game. And Moxy is still wondering how he's going to pay his rent next month. And this is a sad day for Woods?

and...

...the only "Q" left around the Rose Garden is the one that stands for "question."

As in, "After all this, does anyone think Woods gets it?"

Because right now, Woods is holed up with his agent, Raymond Brothers, who is telling him everything he wants to hear. And Moxy, who doesn't have a criminal record, drug problem or a cruel streak when it comes to dogs, is just hoping to get some good news in 2005.

$12,525. To play ONE BASKETBALL GAME. And, while he and the NBA Players' Union are fighting his suspension, this kid is living off of his agent. Meanwhile, just to keep a roof over his head, Moxy Torres has taken odd jobs including a seasonal sales position and a $7/hr job as a security guard.

I'm not asking anyone to shed a tear for Moxy Torres (or any of the other millions of unemployed and underemployed Americans): But seriously, anyone who would claim that being waived by an NBA team--due to his own stupidity--is a "sad day" has their head up their ass (and/or up Woods' arse).

It's a sad commentary on our society that "we" tend to worship a loser just because he can shoot a basketball, but just sort of shrug our shoulders when we encounter someone who's willing to WORK just to keep a roof over his head and food on the table. "We" WISH we could be like the loser who makes more money for playing ONE BASKETBALL GAME than many people make in ONE ENTIRE YEAR: And "we" thank God (or whichever deity is applicable) we aren't like Moxy Torres.

That's seriously messed up, people.