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Barry Bonds

Recently Barry Bonds was convicted of perjury before a federal court. This conviction amounts to him lying in regards to his previous testimony. The implication that this verdict could have on the sport of baseball are far reaching. Athletes have been pushing hard to challenge world records and many turned to steroids to put them over the top. One very large issue with professional athletes using performance enhancing drugs is that a younger generation typically emulates that use, and is led to believe that the only way to reach the next level is with the use of these drugs. Steroid use on minors can seriously impact growth and personal development in some cases even causing issues with long term growth.

Although in this case Mr. Bonds was not actually found guilty of using steroids. He was simply found guilty of perjury when asked the simplest question of “if he used steroids in baseball”. Bonds went on to ramble about becoming a celebrity child with a famous father. Currently it is up for debate if Bonds will be further charged or tired in this matter. Previously trials from 2003 were declared mistrials, during these trials Bonds claimed that he never knowingly took steroids, but because the case was thrown out the entire incident could not even be considered in his latest legal battle.

It’s assumed that Bonds lawyers will try to have the conviction overturned. Many believe that the entire reason Bonds was charged was to set an example. The prosecuting attorney claimed that the importance in this case was to help show that no matter who you are it is important to tell the truth in court as it is an obligation for every witness who provides testimony. The punishment Bonds may suffer could be as much as ten years in federal prison.