known a lot of people who are not lds, who I consider to be more Christ-like than a lot of very active lds persons. I would even say just because someone is fornicating or living their girlfriend or even if they smoke some weed, doesn't mean that they are less Christlike than people who may not do those things. They may be more loving, service oriented, compassionate, empathetic, less materialistic, etc. I don't think our "higher laws" are an end in themselves, or in other words I don't believe that we are more righteous just because we live a higher law. I believe God gives us those higher laws for two reasons: Because they can help us become more like him and because we will be happier living those laws.

But I think a lot of people miss the point of the commandments. They see them as a way measuring their righteousness rather then a means of helping us become more like God. Such an attitude was harshly condemned by the Savior, and sadly I think that we fall into that trap sometimes. Think of all the scriptural examples, in which Christ acknowledges the faith and righteousness of Gentiles who weren't living according to the Law of Moses.

The Caananite woman - Matt 15:28 "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith"
The centurion - Matt 8:10 "he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
The Samaritan women at the well - She is the first person that Jesus proclaims his Messianic role to, at least in our scriptural sources.
The Good Samaritan

In fact, Jesus saves his harshest criticisms for his own people and sometimes his own disciples.

I believe that God truly does look at the heart when He judges one's righteousness and that it is very difficult for us to look at these athletes and really have any idea how good of people they really are or aren't. Whether they are LDS or not. Just my opinion.