I'm almost certain that that is false. They may be high-profile, but there's only about 2000 players on NFL rosters, 500 on NBA rosters, 750 on MLB rosters, and another 750 on NHL rosters. In the grand scheme of things, that's not that many possible rapists and abusers, compared with the legions of, say, prison guards, or police officers, or lawyers, or soldiers, Catholic priests, or investment bankers.

But they get shielded like no other. See:

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/nfl-controversy/still-playi...

http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-athletes-convicted-of-sexu...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/arrests/

The main difference between prison guards, LEO, lawyers, soldiers, is that these people are famous celebrities. They're looked up to as role models.

And for them to be allowed to continue to play after these acts perpetuates a culture of rape and violence.