Reporters Rick Morrissey and Robert Becker wrote a story that began by stating that “some NFL sports agents” and “critics” have accused Champions for Christ of “stealing athletes” from sports agents, then inducing these athletes into “filling CFC’s pockets with millions of dollars . . . ostensibly by requiring members to tithe 10 percent of their salaries to the organization.” (Tribune, Aug. 2). They also state that the NFL is investigating one player’s switch to a financial adviser connected with Champions for Christ, implying some devious impropriety. These are serious allegations.
However, Morrissey and Becker later concede that “millions of dollars” was in fact $805,249 according to 1996 tax documents. They also allow the obvious fact that if professional athletes had donated 10 percent of their salaries to Champions for Christ, those donations would be exponentially greater than $800,000. Not to mention that they would not be sharing office space with Jiffy Lube.
These serious allegations made by “some NFL sports agents” and “critics” have no corroborating facts. So why did the Tribune run such a story? Who are these anonymous “NFL sports agents” and “critics” who can articulate unsubstantiated allegations against private individuals and have the Tribune print it? The Tribune owes anyone connected with Champions for Christ an apology.
