Jared Max: On This National Honesty Day, I Want Athletes To ACTUALLY Be Honest

By Jared Max
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Thursday is National Honesty Day. And, honestly, I think this is our most important non-federal holiday.

In truth, I never heard of this day until I saw it on TV on Thursday morning. I must confess that it speaks volumes about what we have allowed ourselves to become.

Forget that it seems every day is another "National Something-Or-Another Day." The fact that we have a National Honesty Day tells me that American society has reached a level of moral corruption to such a degree that we have actually allowed a day — one out of 365 — to be marked for recognition of the importance of honesty.

Since goodness and dishonesty do not coexist (by my measure), I am a frustrated mensch living in a largely dishonest world.

Every day we swim through a sea of what comes out of the backside of the animal represented by Chicago's NBA team. And we accept it. We allow it to become reality. But not today, folks. For one day, everything is fair game. It is like a roast of Justin Bieber, Donald Trump or Bob Saget.

On Thursday, I want to hear everybody -- from head coaches and general managers to team owners and league officials -- speak their minds. I want to hear Rangers players rip the daylights out of a teammate who was too lazy to get back to position, allowing a Capitals goal. And any player who uses one of the many "Just gotta put this one behind us" cliches on Thursday should be fined. All fines translate to donations of truth, or some other appropriate cause. Or, if the union has an issue, they do not have to be fined.

At Thursday's NFL draft, I want to see a player being interviewed on live TV announce, "I am blessed to join a fifth-place organization that resides in a region of the country where I have never been and I fear that I might not be welcomed."

If a player falls significantly further than experts had expected, imagine the player said, "Truthfully, I do not care if I was drafted first overall or in the final round. I'll earn my salary on my NFL worth."

Agents love that.

At a press conference following a Major League Baseball game on Thursday night, I would like to see this:

Reporter to player (at podium): "In the sixth inning, you guys really got it going. First, Johnson doubled. The next two guys walked. Then Hernandez hit the grand slam. Martin followed with a blast that is still traveling. You guys really got to Smith that inning."

Player to reporter: "Is there a question? You explained everything that happened. What do you want me to say?"

Think of it as a springtime "Festivus" — the Seinfeldian holiday that invokes an Airing of Grievances.

Reporter in clubhouse: "You guys go to Boston tomorrow. Can you talk about that?"

Player: "Yeah, great city. Beautiful streets. The harbor. The seafood. The bars. The people. Quincy Market. Kenmore Square. Love it."

Many years ago, my mother instilled the importance of honesty. Not only is the truth the easiest story to remember, but it leads to an honest life. Restful nights. Shakespeare nailed it when he topped a rich list of life advice in Hamlet, noting, "This above all, to thine own self be true."

Being honest and keeping one's job is a greater challenge to the mainstream than ever before. One need not be a renegade to get called out for making a seemingly innocuous comment on Twitter. There is a reason why athletes who speak to reporters and sound like human beings conversing tend to be more popular than players who speak in robotic terms. Being honest pays off. If honest all the time, there are no scary questions.

Some sports figures are notoriously full of bologna. Some are regularly sincere. These guys are a reporter's favorite. A fan's favorite.

One need not be a cardiologist to know that burying truths or fighting them is not heart-healthy — regardless of whether you choose tofu over prime rib.

Just as I understand why certain government officials need to keep hush about certain matters, I get why each of us land in situations we deem best to mislead. Players are trained to speak without saying anything. Top executives, too.

Being honest to the self creates honesty with others. It breaks down walls and makes life more fun.

So, just for today, feel free to be honest with everybody you know. Just say "it's National Honesty Day. " And all should be forgiven.

Oh, and all truth told, I can honestly say that I think the Rangers are going to eliminate the Capitals in six or seven games. Now I am off to go listen to Billy Joel sing "Honesty" and Squeeze do "The Truth."

Honestly.

Jared Max is a multi-award winning sportscaster. He hosted a No. 1 rated New York City sports talk show, "Maxed Out" — in addition to previously serving as longtime Sports Director at WCBS 880, where he currently anchors weekend sports. Follow and communicate with Jared on Twitter @jared_max.