Welcome to the NFL, where the criminals are lauded and the ridiculously innocent are forced to apologize. 

This week, we were blessed to witness some real silliness take place. Rob Gronkowski, a tight end that has been playing hard and bringing it with the results, was forced to apologize for doing nothing. The Washington Post covers the finer details of an overhyped tale.  

It all started when the young Patriots player met up with a mutual friend, porn actress Bibi Jones. The two of them then took a couple of pictures together. I know what you are thinking: How could he throw his career away like that? 

Well here is the photo that started it all. As you can see, two adults share a smile as they pose for a...wait, what the hell am I supposed to find that is offensive here?

One adult that works in a reputable profession with some disreputable folks is posing with another person working in a disreputable profession that is geared on sex. Join me in one big fat yawn. 

So a non-story becomes a scandal and tasty little controversy when Gronkowski is forced to apologize for a photo between two human beings. New York Times writer Judy Batista tweeted a mandate that came from the top of the Patriots organization. 

The story, as they say, grew legs. That's when Bibi Jones let the colorful language really fly. She tweeted what everyone on earth was thinking, then mentioned what I believe to be a reference to South Carolina's mascot. 

It has become abundantly clear to me that this country based on puritanical principles is willing to go the extra mile to stifle anything that may be risque. We love our guns, but hate the sex. 

I am not here to condone pornography or the people that perform it. I find the lifestyle just as depraved as you do. However, there was nothing deplorable in Gronkowski's actions. 

It's a good thing that the league doesn't have a convicted felons rule, because there would hardly be any teams left to play. Yet, Gronkowski taking a photo with a mutual friend and bandying it about social media sites is ruining the image of the Patriots? The most boring aspect is they never even had sex. 

Give me a break. If people really cared about the image of the NFL and its teams, they would never set foot into a stadium. 

But we do. 

We do because we learn to forgive and forget. Many athletes have broken the law, then are let back into the locker room and cheered on the field. I find it frustrating that I have to relate this act to a crime, but it's necessary to show the disparity we are talking about. 

Rob Gronkowski took a flipping picture. So the hell what? We have a receiver dropping balls in the end zone that shot himself. Somewhere Pacman Jones is doing something he shouldn't. And wasn't Kenny Britt arrested for eluding police? Oh, yeah he was. 

Yet, Gronkowski is who we have to worry about. Grow up America. It's only sex. I hear the Europeans have it at least once a month.