Harold Keller / L’Observateur / September 13, 2000

The question last week was – Will Edwin Edwards’ legacy be tarnished forever? One need not be a brain surgeon to know that the answer is yes, definitely. Once the golden boy of, not only Louisiana, but also nationalpolitics, he has allowed his selfish ambitions in public office to destroy all the good that he has done.

I had the privilege in working in his first campaign for governor in 1971. I sayprivilege, because it was. I’ll never forget the slogan: “Era for Excellence.” Itwas a pleasure to see a brilliant man talk of Louisiana’s future – to see him work a crowd and enjoy every minute of it.

What happens to people like Edwin Edwards? We can call it anything we want, but the answer in one word is pride. Pride leads to every other sin – greed,abuse of power, you name it. Pride opens the door to all.Do I feel sorry for him? Yes, I do! Why? Because the Bible says that to whom much is given, much is expected. Edwin Edwards was given much. He failedGod’s test of greatness, which is in order to be great among many, you have to be a servant to all.

As I write this article, I am thinking of many people who were given many gifts, but will have tarnished legacies – Jimmy Swaggart, Pete Rose, Bill Clinton, Bobby Knight, to name a few.

Sunday, Indiana’s basketball coach, Bobby Knight, was fired because of a continued problem of unacceptable behavior. It would sound like this behaviorhas only been exhibited lately. Can you believe the university has been puttingup with this madman since 1979? Why? Because he was winning basketball games.

These are a few of the incidents in which Knight was involved: 1972 – Hitting a Puerto Rican policeman before a practice game. Sentencedto six months in jail, but never served time.

1980 – Playfully fired a blank shot at a reporter.

1983 – Stood at mid-court during a basketball game and cursed the “Big Ten” commissioner.

1988 – In an NBC interview with Connie Chung, he said, “I think that if rape is inevitable, relax and enjoy it.”1992 – Cancelled his team’s annual banquet because they lost a big game.

1994 – Kicked his son, Pat, in the leg during a game.

1999 – Allegedly choked a man in a restaurant.

2000 – Accused of choking a player, Neil Reed, at a practice. Knight deniedthe charges. A videotape later proved that Reed was right.These are only some of the incidents involving Knight. Should he have beenfired? Yes, but 20 years ago, not last Sunday.

All of these men mentioned in this article were given much. Their legaciescould have been that of integrity. Instead, they allowed bad decisions totarnish their images forever.

HAROLD KELLER writes this column as part of his affiliation with the Get High on Life religious motivational group.

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