...and I look forward to seeing Matangi get one too.
It rankles me when athletes get preferential treatment because they're famous. At the same time I don't think justice should hit them any harder than it does the rest of us.
However, when a person has made a mistake and shown true contrition and done what's been asked in making amends I have no problem giving them a 2nd chance. I used to manage a chain of restaurants and interviewed and hired several individuals who had the courage to list their prior convictions on their job application. They all proved to be great employees.
I also spent a lot of time and money hiring homeless guys for day labor. We would go over to the shelter early in the day and recruit people for work. It didn't take long for the individuals who were honest, hardworking guys just down on their luck and needing a helping hand to stand out. One of the fellows in particular was able to save enough money from this work to put a down payment on an apartment, get some new clothes and find more permanent work.
From what I've read about Matangi, it sounds like he is truly trying to turn his life around and is doing everything that is being required of him. I think he deserves the 2nd chance.