It's debatable how much of a "distraction" the legal problems of teammates are for professional athletes. It's inarguable, though, that the sexual assault allegations in Wisconsin over the weekend took some of the spotlight away from Donald Driver's charity softball game.
Four of the six players questioned in the case and cleared of any wrongdoing participated in the event and spoke for the first time publicly to Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Guard Josh Sitton: "We're all doing this for the fans, for good causes. Something like this [incident] shouldn't deter you from coming. I could care less about [distractions.] When you put the pads on, it is football time and I don't think about any other [expletive], you know?"
Safety Khalil Jones: "I was just there for a golf tournament. I had nothing to do with anything that supposedly happened. Obviously NFL players are targets, but I don't know what happened, honestly. I wasn't involved. I don't like that my name is even attached to something like that."
Quarterback Matt Flynn: "It is unfortunate that my name is involved with all that. "We went down there for a golf tournament."
Linebacker Clay Matthews hoped that the incident wouldn't hurt the charity golf tournament it took place at: "One person's misjudgment really put a damper on it. Hopefully this doesn't put a black eye on the tournament and the foundation, but I think for the most part I think it worked out this year, and next year, just be a little more careful."
One person's misjudgment is a telling line. From everything we've heard, the Packers don't seem to be reserving judgment before placing blame at the feet of their teammate.