LITTLE ROCK — Sometimes news stories, or in this case a column, feel good.
Such as Monday night, when the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated Metta World Peace from the NBA playoffs.
Sometimes they are uncomfortable, and sometimes nothing about them feels good.
Bobby Petrino’s escapades were among those difficult stories.
Now comes another: Jermain Taylor being accused of sexual assault.
Maumelle police are going through this with a finetooth comb. No stone will be unturned.
After reading the account in Tuesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, as well as the police report, it would appear the lady making the accusations has some serious credibility issues.
She said she drove to a Maumelle hotel from Mississippi for the purpose of having sex with Taylor for money, and that she has a history of accepting money from Taylor for sex.
Yet, there has never been any claim by her of assault in the time she has known him, just a claim of her taking his money for sex (usually $500, but once $2,000).
Plus, her story changed. Apparently after the drug she admitted taking wore off, she “remembered” the assault.
If she doesn’t know what her admissions to the police make her, then feel very sorry for her.
Taylor has consulted attorney Kenny Shemin, the brilliant legalist from Rogers.
While it is highly unlikely that Taylor will be charged with anything illegal, it may be time for him to think about where he is today and how he wants to be remembered.
I remember the parade in his honor after he beat Bernard Hopkins to become the undisputed middleweight champion of the world.
In all honesty, Taylor was a great champion. He brought positive attention to the entire state.
I remember the roar of the crowd when he walked out to the sideline of a Razorbacks football game.
When he wore a Razorback on his robe entering the ring for the rematch with Hopkins.
I remember sitting in his home for an interview and Taylor concerned about a fence he was having built around his pool for the safety of his young children.
He was so popular and in demand that his life and that of his wife, Erica, became a drive-through. They had to drive through to get food, their laundry and other essentials.
Going out to eat was impossible, and taking in a movie was a multi-tasking chore.
He didn’t really get bruised in 2007 when two women claimed that he improperly came into contact with them. Both cases were dismissed.
Yet, stories about him on Lake Hamilton began to cause some concern.
The arrest at a concert in Miami was unsettling.
His angry dispute with his mom in 2011 and even his last news conference after a victory, when he became angry following a question, have people wondering where is the JT whose only bad intentions were in the ring.
Now come the latest claims by a female of not just sexual assault, but of ongoing relations.
The sexual assault claim will most likely fall apart. The female in question lacks credibility.
Yet, the name Jermain Taylor is being mentioned in too many stories that have nothing to with his comeback. He seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time too often.
Jermain Taylor’s legacy is in one pair of hands — his own.
It certainly isn’t too late to reclaim his reputation, but he needs to get on that comeback trail sooner than later.
Sports, Pages 25 on 05/23/2012