Empty the Bench

Funny, my girlfriend and I were just discussing athlete marriages the other day, then this popped up. From the “No, Really?” Department comes quotes from Lawrence Taylor’s ex-wife, Linda Garrett, who recently spoke with Chrisena Coleman of the New York Daily News about sharing LT with drugs and women during the life of their marriage:

“LT was my husband, but he belonged to everyone, especially the thousands and thousands of fans. I also shared him with the drugs and the women who would stop at nothing to get to him. One night a woman called my house in the middle of the night and told me that my husband had just left her house and would be home in 20 minutes,” said Garrett. “Sure enough, the garage door opened 20 minutes later. The women didn’t care he was married with children.”

Jacqui Kelly, who’s married to the Chicago White Sox’ Kenny Kelly, has a much rosier outlook on the ups and downs of being tied to a pro athlete. Something tells us that the 26-year-old might not carry the same opinion, in, say, another 5 years or so.

Despite their grumblings, the wives said their husbands’ careers have given them an exclusive lifestyle with financial security and all the trappings of the good life. “There are a lot of perks,” said Kelly, who created and runs the Pro Athletes Only Web site, a one-stop concierge service for athletes and their wives. “Like any marriage, there will be issues, but for us the focus is on being friends, good parents and keeping the line of communication open.”

In other words, perhaps ignoring the possibility your husband might cheat on you.

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