What do commentators mean when they say a football player has class? That he respects his football opponents? Or that he keeps his extra-marital affair private?

Should there be a distinction between class in the public and private realms? I don't think so. Some sports stars get described with class while others (with possibly more class) don't. And we still haven't even defined "class."

People have made this public-private distinction for selfish gains since times eternal, justifying hypocritical or evil behavior. But now they seem to have a good way to explain it away. Even if you're a total jerk at home, as long as you behave in public, you can be a "real class guy."