All Hail ‘black Tim Tebow's’ sex ban

By Meg Zukin Football players by nature are meatheads. They guzzle down beer, sleep with fan girls, and release their excess testosterone by throwing around the old pigskin on the field. However, Prince Amukamara, cornerback for the New York Giants, is gaining national recognition as “the black Tim Tebow.”

Amukamara is devoutly religious and has remained a sober virgin. He recently made headlines when he admitted in an interview with Muscle & Fitness magazine that he has neither tasted a drop of alcohol nor gotten past third base. His teammates are supportive and respect Amukamara for abstaining from alcohol and sex for something that he believes in.

Although Amukamara is engaged to longtime girlfriend, Pilar Davis, and will hopefully be losing his v-card soon, his stance on the matter is quite refreshing, especially in this day and age. Amukamara grew up Catholic and according to the interview, his current lifestyle stemmed from the thought “If I do this, maybe I can get to heaven.” As he grew up, he realized that it isn’t about “no drinks” and “no sex” but about “having a relationship with Jesus.” He personally does not view any benefit to drinking or premarital sex, especially when the media focuses so heavily on DUIs and athletes’ personal lives.

More often than not, young men and women treat sex as casual and offhand. The hook-up culture provides justification and social acceptance for “friends with benefits” and “one-night stands.” It is now very commonplace for two people to sleep together before they’re exclusive, in a relationship, or even on their second date. Something even more common, though, is the men who boast and brag about their sexual conquests and womanizing ways.

It is brave of Amukamara to stand confidently behind his religious beliefs, especially given his position in the media. It is interesting to consider the likes of Amukamara and Tebow as “the minority” because not too long ago, it would be the Don Juan playboys ridiculed and ostracized. The fact alone that the media is creating such a stir over his virginity is a testament to the blasé sex culture of today.

But although Amukamara’s decision is a rare one—the acceptance and support coming from his teammates is also a testament to the increasing tolerance of today. It’s more socially acceptable to be sexually promiscuous than sexually prudent, but because people are more open-minded in general, it is still “cool”. In the words of Young Jeezy, “Imma do me, you just do you.”

That being said, Amukamara is a professional athlete who is respected by his teammates and employers. If a college student, for example, were to be as vocal about his or her pledge of celibacy to Jesus, the response probably wouldn’t be as encouraging given the laid-back attitude toward sex at college campuses.

Amukamara and Davis have tentatively set their wedding date to sometime right after the Super Bowl so it is very possible that if the Giants continue to do well, Amukamara will be scoring double in February. Who knows, maybe he will even go a little wild and have a brewskie.