This is exactly what is wrong with American pool culture.
Criminals being aggrandized and put in the limelight, simply because they are popular or can make a ball.
Is the youth expected to look up to people like this and be inspired to greatness? Greatness in what? Stiffing, stealing, and dealing?
I've seen plenty of drug dealers who play or stake pool, come and go through Philly.
Gil, Julio, Darren, etc etc.
On the one hand, part of me can kinda understand where people come from.
They are just "another one of the guys" if you don't focus on how they make their money. But they all get locked up eventually.
But should the drug dealers, and drug using pool players who steal money, stiff people, and OD at tournaments, really be held in high esteem, simply because they can make a ball, or run a good calcutta, or are a character? Should the pool masses turn a blind eye like they seem to do and make them THE FOCUS?
I don't understand the purpose of putting the attention on people like that in terms of helping pools image.
Id rather see an interview with the grill guy in the kitchen.
