“What Message Are We Sending to Kids?”- Barry Bonds to MLB Hall of Fame Debate Once Led to Heated Exchange Between Famed Analysts

NFL legend Cris Carter once had a heated debate on Barry Bonds’ Hall Of Fame induction issue. Carter spoke strictly against the decision to honor Bonds. According to Carter, the steroid scandal makes Bonds ineligible for such a prestigious status. That despite Bonds’ extraordinary batting record.

Barry Bonds is a controversial baseball legend who broke all MLB batting records during his playing tenure. Bonds played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants, respectively. On the other hand, Cris Carter is an NFL legend and Hall of Fame inductee. Carter famously played for the Minnesota Vikings. Later, he went to play for the Miami Dolphins. He began his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Post-retirement, Carter took up the role of an analyst. He has been part of various NFL analysis expert panels. On a morning talk show titled ‘First Things First’ where he is a co-host, Bonds’ topic got thoroughly debated. The show airs on ‘Fox Sports 1’ network.   

Cris Carter against Barry Bonds’ potential Hall Of Fame induction 

Barry Bonds’ steroid scandal and Hall of Fame snub is still a hot topic for many talk shows. Therefore, Cris Carter discussed the issue as well. His fellow analysts on the panel were Nick Wright and Jenna Wolfe. The topic led to a heated debate between Carter and Wright.   

While Wright was in favor of a Hall Of Fame honor for Bonds, Carter was against it. Talking on the panel, NFL Hall of Famer Carter compared Bonds’ career and his own. Highlighting the differences between the two, Carter credited his achievements to his dedication and hard toil. While he pointed out the steroids intake as the influential factor behind Bonds’ milestones.

Carter took a dig at Bonds, saying, “It was about working harder to maximize my body to put myself under the position so that I could be the best that I could be. Not what was the best product that pharmaceuticals can produce out of my body. But what could I do, based on sleep, rest, intake of food. Those things, that’s how I reached a Hall Of Fame career.” 

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Wright cut in between multiple times, putting his words through to support Bonds. A furious Carter replied, “So what do we tell the kids that go to the museum? What kind of message would the kids take from that? What message are we sending the kids? You can still do it the wrong way and you can still end up in Cooperstown?!!! That’s what you’re promoting?”  

The chances for a Bonds’ honor 

The Bonds debate still rages on across MLB and various other sports platforms. His legacy fell into disrepute after he got indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in 2007. Many critics remain divided over the Bonds’ dilemma. The polls for his election to a Hall Of Fame induction are still insufficient but have grown in numbers over the years. 

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Do you agree with Cris Carter’s opinion on Barry Bonds?