Pete Rose Wants America To Give Him A Second Chance: Famous Athletes Who We've Forgiven

The anniversary of baseball's biggest black eye is just around the corner, and to celebrate ESPN is releasing their latest "Outside the Lines" special, which features Pete Rose. Rose was notoriously banned from baseball Aug. 24, 1989, after it was found out that he had bet on his own team, the Cincinnati Reds.

Rose should be remembered as one of the greatest hitters of all time, and yet his off-field antics lead him to a lifetime ban. Critics of Rose say that he corrupted the game of baseball, which is a pretty frim remark, considering the sport's century-long history.   

"I've been led to believe America is a forgiving country, and if you do the right things - keep your nose clean, be a good citizen, pay your taxes, do all the things you're supposed to do - eventually you'll get a second chance," Rose said on ESPN.

Since Rose's banishment from baseball, there haven't been any new controversies surrounding him. As he insinuated in his quote, Rose has -- at least on paper -- become the best citizen he could possibly be.

The interesting side note to this story is that MLB commissioner Bud Selig is retiring in January after his twenty year stint at the helm. There is a possibility that the new commissioner could pardon Rose for his past transgressions. 

"I wish some way in your heart you'd find an opportunity to give me a chance, a second chance, because if you don't, I'm still going to sell baseball like no one else you have working in the game," Rose says. "That's just the way I am; that's my passion for the game. Whatever you do, I understand, I accept, because you're the boss. And if that's not enough, I'll arm-wrestle you right now."

Rose wouldn't be the first athlete to receive a second chance from the American people. Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and even Ray Lewis were surrounded by controversy during their playing careers.

While Woods' persona was damaged for ethical reasons, Bryant and Lewis could have served jail time for their alleged crimes. But luckily, as the years pass on, fans tend to forget the small stuff, and focus on the larger body of work.