Considering every player on the 2003 MLB steroid investigation list was informed of their positive test results, it’s obvious that David “Big Papi” Ortiz, of the Boston Red Sox, was well aware of the skeletons in his closet. Knowing this, it would have been a smart crisis prevention move for him to be more careful in his choice of statements to the media regarding performance enhancing drugs. A recent post on the PR Finish Line blog breaks down some of his poor choices.
Flashback to spring training when Ortiz, on camera, told the media: “I think you clean up the game by the testing… You test positive, you are going to be out. Serious and period. Ban them for the whole year.” A few years back, he told a group of Boston high school students: “I’m drug free. I never used drugs,” and exhorted them to do likewise.
Although any revelation regarding PED’s is bound to be a bombshell, in sports, just as in the corporate world, taking the right crisis management steps can make the difference between a disruption and permanent damage to your reputation.
JB
Jonathan Bernstein
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/