Despite being rather busy this week, these two sport stories caught my eye. It was funny to hear how the two were treated a little differently. Most of the press and analysts did say that both were wrong, but that the football player was just doing what was done in every football pile.
Take a look for yourself.
Here is some footage from a women’s college soccer game…
And here is another from a Florida college football game…
Obviously, neither of them are good, but I am not sure that just “being a part of the game” is a good enough excuse for for me. The football player was initially suspended for a half by the team, but HE voluntarily said he would sit out an entire game. The soccer player was immediately suspended by the college for a yet to be determined period of time.
This doesn’t mean all sports are bad, but that some of the individuals that play these sports can be bad.
Maybe, in a period where it is very easy to lump all people from certain groups together regardless of race, political party, ideology, race and religion, it might be a good idea to realize that there are GOOD and BAD people everywhere.
It wouldn’t be wise to judge an entire group of people on the actions of a select few.
Ridiculous behavior. No excuse for it.
Agreed.
By: Madison Ryan on November 7, 2009
at 11:25 am
Both are equally poor sportsmanship.
Also agreed.
By: bradbobo on November 7, 2009
at 6:24 pm
There is never a good excuse for this type of behavior. I doubt that this was the first time this young lady has acted this way.
The football video wouldn’t play. Sorry – not comment there.
Agreed again.
By: steppingthru on November 7, 2009
at 10:21 pm
But I’ll bet dollars to donuts that the chick from New Mexico is a demon in the sack.
And the football player wouldn’t be?
By: whatigotsofar on November 8, 2009
at 9:59 am
Players who behave like this should be made examples and punished accordingly EVERY time. Otherwise, young kids are going to grow up thinking it’s acceptable behavior.
I think PARENTING is the key here. I had my son sit and watch the Florida player clip. Time for a lesson in unacceptable behavior.
By: territerri on November 8, 2009
at 10:58 am
I hadn’t seen the football clip, even though I watch the game…we weren’t aware it happened at the time. So thanks for posting.
Horrible behavior on both parts. I think parenting IS the most important, but also the environment. Like ST said, bet that young lady had done that many times before….why had the ‘powers that be’ never noticed or come down hard about it?
Glad we have people like you, that are still guiding their kids…..gotta say, I see a lot of people who have ‘given up on it.’
I think, as parents, we have to find a way to teach OUR kids to rise above the environment. To make the right decisions…both of those individuals had the opportunity to choose the RIGHT way…and did the OPPOSITE. Arm them with the tools…but the decision is still the individuals.
By: Soapbox Diva on November 8, 2009
at 4:53 pm
I thinkk that there is a deeper problem – the “win at all costs” attitude that comes from higher up, starting with the coaches. If players knew that bad behavior would see the coach kicking their asses out of the team they might calm down a bit. But instead we see players at national level doing all sorts of stuff and getting away with a slap on the wrist.
I might disagree a bit here. There were a lot of people on that field in the same situation that reacted much DIFFERENTLY. In my mind, that makes it up to the individual…and not the system. I get where you are coming from though…and I can’t argue with you on very solid ground.
By: Rock Chef on November 9, 2009
at 7:38 am
I agree with what you said about parenting – it is sooo important for kids to have role models who emphasize good sportsmanship rather than just winning the game. I think our obsession with sports in this country has reached psychotic proportions (not everyone, but in some cases!) and it helps to remember it is after all, just a game!
I also think too much pressure is put on kids to compete so they can go to college, get a scholarship, have a career – basically that their life depends on it! Takes all the fun out of the game…
This is bigger than even sportsmanship…these are incidents to intentionally harm, and in the case of the football player, or maim another individual. For many kids, this is like the lottery…a chance, even if it is slim, to strike gold.
By: Marie on November 9, 2009
at 10:49 am
Call me chauvinist, but I was more surprised by the ponytail takedown than the eye gouge. I sort of EXPECT that sort of viciousness from our bulked-up lads on the verge of testosterone poisoning.
I’m not sure which way of thinking on my part is worse.
The gal above, though, was caught in NUMEROUS acts of mayhem in that one game. I think that given her horrific representation of her team and her school, they should give serious thought to pulling her scholarship.
The image of the woman doing this was initially more shocking to me too…but it was really less severe. I think it shows how we are all programmed differently.
By: Taoist Biker on November 9, 2009
at 1:45 pm