Pro athletes’ security a big deal
Many details and the motivation surrounding the shooting of Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz Sunday in the Dominican Republic remain unclear, but this much is certain: It was a reminder that pro sports celebrities can be targets for all sorts of crime, from extortion, kidnapping and, apparently, attempted murder.
Ortiz reportedly is in stable condition after having portions of his intestines, colon and gall bladder removed. He is expected to make a full recovery, which is good news for a man beloved across baseball as “Big Papi.”
“I’m heartbroken. I really am,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, who worked for the Red Sox during Ortiz’s final four seasons in Boston. “I hope he’s OK. I hope his family is doing OK. I hope he’s healing. I know that he’s in good hands . ... I was thankful to get some information to know he was in and out of surgery and resting comfortably. That made me happy. You hate to see things like that happen.”
Ortiz is lucky to be alive, especially considering the reported motivation for the shooting. The DailyMail.com, citing three anonymous sources, reported police in the Dominican Republic believe Ortiz was shot by two police officers hired by a drug lord who believed Ortiz was having an affair with his wife.
Whether or not that turns out to be true, athletes and the teams for which they play obviously are aware of the potential hazards of fame and questionable decision-making, and take steps to protect their safety. That protection, however, usually ends when the player’s career does.
All professional teams have some level of built-in security, but to some degree the athletes have to be involved in their own safety.
“That’s one of the main things we try to tell young guys: This is a great time in your life, try to have fun and experience it, but you’ve got to be safe and be smart when you’re going out into that public realm where people know who you are,” Diamondbacks pitcher Greg Holland said.
Added the Suns’ T.J. Warren: “It’s rare I’m out, but when I am out, I’m mindful on how I move because being a professional athlete out in public can cause unnecessary attention. I saw the news on David Ortiz and that’s very unfortunate. Prayers to him and his family. Wrong place, wrong time is very serious.”
Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley thinks social media has emboldened some people to make threats. “You try to brush it off as a guy behind the keyboard, but when guys start making threats and start talking about your family, it does get a little freaky. The line of sports and fans kind of gets crossed. It sucks, but you definitely need to be aware of these things.”
Regarding physical security for athletes, NFL teams, including the Cardinals, travel with a security team that keeps fans at a distance. Hotel floors, for instance, are accessible only to team personnel.
Team President Michael Bidwill has his own security team, comprised mostly of Arizona DPS officers whose regular job is providing protection to the governor.
Some players, including Larry Fitzgerald, hire security to work private functions. Charles Barkley, who found himself in multiple off-court altercations during his playing days – including the time in 1997 when he was arrested for hurling a bar patron through a window in Orlando – ended up hiring a bodyguard to satisfy an NBA demand he have security when in public.
“Let there be no debate. If you bother me, I’m going to whip your ass,” Barkley told the South Florida at the time. “What he did was inappropriate. I’m going to defend myself. The guy threw ice in my face, and I slammed his ass into the window. I’m not denying that. I defended myself. He got what he deserved.”
Security for the Suns is ever-present during the season. For instance, in Charlotte this year, the Suns’ two main security employees, Max Cayard and Mark Spencer, went with center Deandre Ayton just to cross the street from their hotel to get something to eat.
When Ayton and forward Mikal Bridges attended the Arizona-Arizona State game in Tempe, Spencer was there.
The Diamondbacks declined to provide details of security measures taken to protect players and other employees.
“While we have the utmost faith in our security staff and put player safety at the top of our list, it’s not a topic we discuss publicly,” said Josh Rawitch, senior vice president of content communications.
Security provided by teams, however, rarely extends beyond the season, which leaves players on their own when they return home or go on vacation.
In May, for instance, Kristaps Porzingis of the Dallas Mavericks, allegedly was assaulted outside a club in his hometown of Liepaja, Latvia.
There have been numerous situations in which pro athletes were apparently targeted victims of crimes.
Former New York Knicks and Arizona forward Derrick Williams was the victim of a robbery in December 2015. Coverage in the and
reported that two women allegedly robbed Williams of $750,000 worth of jewelry from his home.
Former Suns player Stephon Marbury was stripped of his $150,000 necklace in New York when he was a member of the New Jersey Nets in 2000.
Sometimes, confrontations can escalate beyond robbery.
In 2007, Sean Taylor, an All-Pro safety with Washington, died after he was shot in the leg during a robbery attempt.
All four thieves received first-degree murder charges and are serving life sentences in prison.