Professionalism is dying

It appears that the lines defining a professional athlete continue to be blurred.

- By BILL VELASCO

Several bizarre developments over the past year have convinced many that being a professional has become mangled beyond recognition. Does it simply mean being paid to play a sport? Or is it much more than that? Let us investigate.

Jake Paul has made an industry of beating up, retired athletes for sport. His events have become the world's largest train wrecks, which people cannot resist watching. There are no more weight categories, no more health considerations, no qualifications. Just a young man beating up older guys inside the ring. And he has to win. About the only thing that makes them professional is that they are paid once in a lifetime amounts, for which they literally risk their lives, almost as in a public execution.