Some of this is a learning curve. Panther rookie Lester Towns said the symposium opened his eyes. They talked about spouse abuse, they talked about what to do if you're at a party and someone picks a fight - walk away. Many players stress that not all pros lead the late-night life described at the trial. Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein said even those who do shouldn't automatically be perceived as problems.
Most guys handle it well.
Players acknowledge that the more money they make, the more free stuff people want to give them and the more special treatment some come to expect. Inside the Panthers' locker room, the floor is piled high with expensive shoes given to players. Outside the locker room, pros are welcomed into VIP rooms at nightclubs and comped services at local businesses. Sometimes it takes two or three bad experiences before they realize they're being targeted. Van Brett Watkins, the admitted gunman in the shooting and a convicted felon, did odd jobs around Carruth's home before the attack.