Is 2010 the year of the felon?

T.I. — come on, man, what are you doing?

A.J. — what’s going on?

It seems like football players and rap stars can’t stay out of jail.

LAMAR

For most people, having a top film — “Takers”  — one of the most anticipated albums — “King Uncaged” — as well as just being released from federal prison would be enough to keep them out of the negative press for a while.

One of our favorite rappers, T.I. — as well as his wife, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle — has found himself on the wrong end of the law yet again.

This rings true for our own university’s football team as well.

With the arrests of our football players seeming to arrive on a weekly basis, one can only wonder whether they have a future in crime like T.I.

It’s not news that being arrested is never a good thing.

But in this case I am severely disappointed in T.I. for putting himself and his new wife in this position.

The couple was arrested in West Hollywood Sept. 1 after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officer stopped their Maybach for a routine traffic stop.

A vehicle search ended with their arrest on the suspicion of possessing methamphetamines.

With all of the money that T.I. has, he could have done what he wanted to do at home.

Now, I’m not advocating illegal activity.

But when you are at the top of the entertainment charts, you have to know that there is a target on your back.

Again, football players — pay attention.

If T.I. can be arrested on multiple occasions for stupid things, then you can, too.

With the possibility of millions of dollars looming in your future, why endanger that by doing something illegal?

Yes, you may reign in Athens. But take a lesson from T.I.

You’re not as invincible as you think.

I still wholeheartedly support T.I. I hope that this recent arrest won’t be a violation of his probation.

Both T.I. and our football players ended up being careless.

They forgot their  responsibility to their family, friends and fans.

Football players — I support you and your endeavors to have fun.

If millions of dollars waited for me in the future, I might act a bit foolish as well.

But you have to know that some people are gunning for you because they know all you have to lose — a la Damon Evans.

Think before you act. Make sure to consider the consequences of your actions for the entire team — not just yourself.

If T.I. and our university’s football team get out of their situations unscathed, I hope it will be a serious wake-up call.

Not that they should have needed one in the first place.

— Kelby Lamar is a senior from Americus majoring in newspapers and political science