Some of the recent events where athletes get their due is in large part to the work and efforts of Roger Goddell and the NFL. All pro sports needed was someone to break ground on the ass kicking party; and break ground he did. But in some cases, the accountability is part of something a bit larger… like in the case of Mark Bell.

Bell got tanked and crashed into a car when he was in San Jose last off season. Because he walked away from the scene, he got a hit and run tacked on. I guess in my opinion about how these things typically go down, the athlete walks away with community service and large fine. I mean, come on, think about all the pro sports players who’s DUIs get treated like they shoplifted a candy bar?

Former San Jose Sharks forward Mark Bell has pleaded no contest to drunken driving and hit-and-run charges and will serve six months in a Santa Clara County jail, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

Bell, who was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in June, had faced nearly four years in state prison if convicted of the original charges. He entered the plea Tuesday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, said prosecutor Cindy Seeley Hendrickson.

Okay, so maybe you’re out there thinking what’s the big deal? Well, let me pose this question: if Mark Bell was a wide receiver for the 49ers, does he still get jail time? Seems to me that Bell’s sentence was almost more of an indictment of professional hockey in America than Mark’s actions. As strange of a point it might be, I have to argue that Bell got treated NO differently because of his profession and that in itself is just so sad for the NHL. If NHL players are to be treated the same as you and I in the court of law, can we really consider it to be a major sport?

• Former Sharks forward Bell pleads no contest to felony DUI (Yahoo!)