Jack,
If the girl had never reported the rape by Kobe Bryant then there never would have been a need to "sacrifice his reputation to save hers." If no one had known about the encounter (he certainly wasn't going to tell anyone) then her reputation would never be an issue at all ...at least not as it relates to national media or to Kobe Bryant. In fact, her reputation has been smeared because she came forward.
And I can't imagine ANYONE would be dim enough to believe a girl gets up in the morning with a guy at her place, tells someone she was raped, and people actually believe it! Why would she later need to confess? Who would have been dumb enough to believe it in the first place? Certainly not any policeman. Did she think they would all accept the circumstances as normal... like maybe after her rape she invited the rapist to stay and get some sleep? If her family was that gullible she wouldn't have had to make up a story that involved sex at all. She could have told them he was repairing the toaster so she could have breakfast.
Jayson Williams did not have that bad boy NBA image either. And maybe the shooting of Gus Kristofi was just a freak accident. But that doesn't explain wiping down a gun and attempting to put it in the hands of a man not even dead yet, and still moaning, just to get his prints on it and save your own hiney... (and making this action the priority on the to-do list before calling 911.) And it doesn't explain blowing away your own dog with a shotgun because you lost a bet and believe that loss must be the fault of an animal that couldn't possibly have reasoned such a plan to embarass you.
By all reports Jayson Williams is a good husband, a good father, and a respected community member. He got along well with teammates... he volunteered time for community children... he gave away big bucks to charities... he didn't involve himself in scandals... he had a great sense of humor like the class clown. Yet... somewhere inside him he obviously had a "dark side" (for lack of a better term) that failed to deal with many issues. Unfortunately those issues co-mingled with firearms... something he possessed in obvious excess yet failed to ever respect or handle responsibly, despite having once been charged for a firearm incident. But the most interesting aspect, psychologically, that came out in his trial (just in my opinion of course) was the fact that TWELVE MEN were present in Jayson's home that night and all of them were aware of what had happened... even those that hadn't actually witnessed the shooting. And every single one of them, from his best long term buddies to men who barely knew him, LIED for him in their original statements. They disregarded the legal implications for themselves... even when they had played no role whatsoever in the shooting... to protect Jayson Williams. WHO wields that kind of power, charisma and influence over such a large group of people? Not even the president... I guarantee. But pro athletes do.
Kobe Bryant doesn't carry that bad boy image either. He seemed "squeaky clean" perhaps... but we now know his relatively recent marriage vows... to a gorgeous charming woman... meant very little to him. If this encounter was not a rape, it also wasn't the first of its kind, since at least one other girl has come forward to say he was with her but didn't force himself on her. Being a serial cheater doesn't make one a rapist obviously. But I believe, truly, the problem with pro athletes of high dollar status isn't so much that they have criminal tendencies toward acting foolish with guns or committing rape. I believe they slowly adapt a psyche of total entitlement. No one can tell them what to do and the rules stop applying to them. They can afford any whim and adoring people enforce their belief that they are superior and untouchable. They cannot imagine anyone who would not want to totally submit to their will... just as Jayson Williams had no doubt that all twelve men would lie to protect him, simply because he told them to. They rarely come across a person who sees them as simply another person and holds them to the same standards as any other "average joe". If this girl is telling 100% of the truth... I believe there is a possibility that Kobe Bryant really doesn't see his actions as a rape at all. The sense of entitlement is so strong that he believes he had every right to do just what he felt like doing regardless of whether the girl's intentions ended with some casual kissing. He most likely felt that after the fact she would feel honored to have been "chosen" to make him happy at the moment, and be forever in his debt for the priviledge of knowing him. I'm quite sure he is shocked that a woman who does not feel that way even exists.
However, I highly doubt Golden, Colorado can be considered "redneck" since they tend to be environment oriented democrats. And I find it unlikely they are out to lynch the evil NBA star and feel compelled to involve even the judge in their conspiracy of injustice.