Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Violence in Sports
compassion and forgiveness?
What standard do you use to decide between zero tolerance on one hand and clemency on the other?
What types of behavior or wrongs merit lifetime sanction in sports?
NASCAR recently levied $30,000 in fines against three drivers for altercations under rules allowing sanctions for actions deemed "detrimental to stock car racing." Citing huge attendance as proof that fisticuffs don't hurt the sport, sports columnist Ed Hinton scoffs at these scuffles being considered "detrimental." He understands that "NASCAR feels compelled to do something to keep a lid on rowdiness," but, he writes, "NASCAR has joined in the charade of all mainstream sports, which levy cosmetic fines for extraneous violence, playing to a society largely in denial of the neurobiochemical truth: That the human brain, deep in the "medial forebrain bundle" or "old brain," retains the ancient instincts toward violence for survival." See "Why fine drivers for adding spice?" Ed Hinton, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, March 29, 2002.
Under what circumstances should fist fights in stock car racing be considered acceptable behavior? Does it make a difference if the fight took place off camera?
From a ethical perspective, what good can come from such fisticuffs? What harm?
Suppose fist fights were tolerated historically or are acceptable in other cultures. Does that bolster an argument that they should be tolerated or accepted in stock car racing today?
How does excusing such behavior harm the sport, its fans, or society?
What message is sent by disciplining racers for fighting and by excusing them? Which is better? Does it make a difference whether the driver's behavior is instinctive or his anger is provoked?
Sports columnist Peter Vescey takes issue with the two-day suspension assessed against basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Reggie Miller, complaining that because Bryant was the aggressor and Miller only retaliated that Miller should receive a lighter sanction. According to Vescey NBA Commissioner David Stern, "believes, without exception or circumstance, any form of retaliation must be punished; although the sentencing might be unfair in certain situations, he feels such impartiality reduces skirmishes and keeps brushfires under control." Is it unfair to punish retaliators? Which should take priority: being fair or being impartial? See "Kobe-Reggie Clash Shows NBA Injustice," Peter Vescey, New York Post, March 5, 2002.
Most agree basketball player Shaquille O'Neal's punch thrown at Bulls Brad Miller in retaliation for his flagrant foul was dangerous and bad for basketball. But what of the others' reactions? Are the NBA's fine and suspension both proportional and sufficient sanction for an offense that potentially endangered another player's life? What message does the punishment send? Is it the right one? Is a 3-day suspension that effectively penalizes the Lakers franchise and fans fair to them? Does it matter? Whose interests should take top priority? Some commiserate with O'Neal because he has endured years of thumping, reportedly to the blind eye of referees. One teammate seemed to say that O'Neal's self-appointed vigilantism was justified as measures of self-defense and self-pride. Is this loyalty warranted? Would it be better, more honorable for teammates and coaches to [next page]