Some people never learn

It's only a guess, but after the news that 17 Minnesota Vikings were aboard two charter boats on which sex parties allegedly were held on Oct. 6, I'm assuming no more United Way spots for the Vikings for the time being.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more embarrassing for the team that gave us Onterrio Smith and "The Original Whizzinator'' and the Mike Tice Super Bowl-ticket-scalping affair, the Vikings may have hit a new high for lows.

I've heard of team bonding excursions, but never one in which almost one-third of the roster potentially had to post bond. But then, these are the Vikings, and they are adept at making the wrong kind of news off the field. In August, Minnesota All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams was charged with domestic assault against his wife. (He has pled not guilty to the fifth-degree misdemeanor charge and has a mid-Oct. court date). In September, Vikings offensive linemen Bryant McKinnie and rookie guard Marcus Johnson were arrested in connection with a late-night fight at a Twin Cities-area gas station. (Both have pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process; preliminary hearings are scheduled for Nov. 4)

Even if the current allegations of prostitution and lewd behavior on Lake Minnetonka don't result in charges, the controversy-plagued Vikings might still see their bid for a new stadium derailed by the avalanche of bad publicity. How's that for bottom-line impact?

"If the allegations are true, it's awful,'' Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said Wednesday. "We understand that athletes aren't necessarily role models, but we at least expect them to abide by the basic laws of the state.''

Look, there are nearly 1,700 players on the 32 active rosters in the NFL, and a small fraction of them, from time to time, have legal trouble. If you listen to the league's spin, the ratio of good and bad is no worse than society as a whole.

Yes, there's plenty of good being done out there by players, club officials and others who take part in each team's community service work. But there's also a steady stream of bad news, and it, of course, draws more attention than players taking part in reading programs at area schools.

As Gov. Pawlenty pointed out, we can save the tired "athletes are role models'' debate. There's no way to make somebody who doesn't want to be a role model behave as if they are one. But why does it seem that some players can't grasp the concept that while they may not be role models, they do have an obligation to not embarrass the organization that is paying them hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars? Signing your name on that contract means you accept the fame and riches that come with being an NFL player. And the scrutiny. And that means behaving like a professional and representing the organization wherever you go.

On Wednesday, new Vikings owner Zygi Wilf concluded a two-day team leadership retreat in the Twin Cities, part of which was devoted to hashing out the framework for a franchise-wide code of personal conduct. I wonder who got the privilege of interrupting those proceedings to deliver to Wilf the news about the charter boat party?

For the life of me, I can't even understand what the Vikings players would have to party about these days. Picked by some to go to the Super Bowl, Minnesota stumbled to a 1-3 start after a host of offseason defensive changes. Its once potent offense has looked anemic.