The New Orleans Saints organization, under Defensive Coordinator Greg Williams, was busted for the Bounty System they had in place. The system, consisting of monetary rewards for players that were able to knock opposing members of the other team unconscious or have them leave the game with injury, has existed within the organization for certain since 2009. However, the Saints weren't the only organization that had this system put in place by Coach Williams. Having been either a defensive coordinator or a head coach in the NFL since the 1987 season, Greg Williams has put in a similar "pain for gain" system wherever he has worked. As of now, the NFL is still deciding what to do with the future of Greg Williams.
Reading many different bloggers reactions, I was surprised of the variety of viewpoints and the validity that pertained to each one. Some bloggers, like Charles Barkley, see nothing too wrong with the program. Barkley even went on to call the person that turned in the coach a "punk". Though I appreciate Barkley's humor on a regular basis, I would like to immediately condemn this statement. No conclusions should be made about the player who tipped the news because we don't know the reason for his actions. He could have done it for selfish reasons like trying to get back at the coach but he also could have done it out of bravery and out of wanting to prevent future injury. Either way, it's not too important because the real issue is the system and the idea of competition. We've heard the outrage from the side that demands justice for Williams' despicable act. One can understand the frustration. In a league where rules are being changed and players being fined for large hits, this system has no place. Commissioner Roger Goodell is leading the efforts to make football more safe and less destructive to the players that play the game by discouraging large hits (even though they are perfectly legal) and altering the game itself. Seeing as many don't agree with this and are frustrated that football is being tampered with, they are disgusted to see that causing injury is still being encouraged within the league. As one reader put it bluntly, "Putting prices on the heads of others and watching it for entertainment? We're just returning to the Roman days of gladiators. This is a criminal act and if the society doesn't punish it, than it is disgusting and perverse." Majority of the people don't see injury as a necessary part of competition but as a unwanted byproduct of the game. The goal should be to limit injury and provide the safest atmosphere for the players as possible. Competition does not have to involve someone getting hurt.
However, many of William's supporters believe that the system was a just a way of giving the extra incentive for players on defense. Seeing as it is football, a sport that originated from players hitting each other and trying to overpower the other all the while receiving points accordingly, this argument does hold some weight. Big hitting and injury have always been apart of football; if you didn't like the violence and the pain, you played/watched a different sport. It's important to note that this system was not created with the design to cause more injury, but instead was made to inspire defenders to play with heart and intimidate the other team. In addition, many defensive players, regardless if they are under the influence of the system or not, already have have the mentality of punishment and inducing pain to the other team. Defenses pride themselves in deterring the other team's offensive production through big hitting. Not only does the hitting take a lot out of an offensive physically but it also effects them mentally, causing them to loose focus or become less motivated. In short, the desire to hurt your opponent has always existed in football and is a part of the competition. In this light, the Williams' system was an overly simplistic method to motivate a defense and increase the level of passion with which they played, or a system that shouldn't be punished.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Complete Equality?
The women's movement beginning in the early 1900's led the way radical but necessary political change. As a result of the efforts of those who supported the movement, we now enjoy a society in which women and men receive the same opportunities and are treated and valued with the same level of respect. Today, women hold positions all over the job world, from politics to CEO's. Women continue to become more independent and successful as a gender as time goes on and with the majority of college students being women, it seems as if this pattern might continue. Though colossal strides have been made, there are still some individuals and elements of society that continue mistreat women. However, society is working hard snuff out any inequalities wherever they arise. Though society today stands to foster gender equality and integration, there is one element where the gender difference seems most wide: athletics.
As I watch ESPN, (which I do quite often I might add), I gain little insight into the world of female athletics. I always hear, through comedy skits on Comedy Central or by word of mouth, how much of a joke the WNBA is. I am always bothered by the disrespect and lack of support and Women sports receive as oppose to men, particularly at the professional level. Feminists admit, that it is true females athletic ability, due to the minimal levels of testosterone in their body, and thus, in many sports, basketball for example, the level at which men play at is higher than women. That said, admitting that there is inequality in gender's biological makeup and thus their level of performance and societal support, is equality a possibility in the realm of sports and competition?
The introduction of Title IX in 1972 seemed to be the equalizer and indeed, through its separate but equal policy, it has provided women in high schools across the nation opportunities in leadership, teamwork, and in rare cases, a career path. Though opportunities are given to both genders, there is an obvious difference in the level of societal support. Seeing as it is impossible to will society to like something and support both genders equally, as long as the current structure remains in place, it seems that the area of athletics will remain unequal and a testament of the one gender's superiority over another. Indeed, it makes it very difficult to preach equality and convince others that women are just as capable as men in all aspects when there is evident inequality in the world of sports. As the solutions seem limited, there are some who believe that we must continue along with the theme of complete equality and look to integrate genders in athletic activity. This solution would not only solve the problem of transgenders, but might improve the quality of play among women. The problems with this, men might continue to dominate the various leagues, undermining women athletic ability and providing, once again, an example as to why men are superior to women. My solution: require each team to have a certain number of women and play them a certain amount of time each game. That way, women are playing together with men and are guaranteed playing time at all levels. Though this problem, giving the biological differences, is very difficult to overcome, I believe there is still a better way to ensure equality among the sexes in the world of competition and will continue the search for a solution.
As I watch ESPN, (which I do quite often I might add), I gain little insight into the world of female athletics. I always hear, through comedy skits on Comedy Central or by word of mouth, how much of a joke the WNBA is. I am always bothered by the disrespect and lack of support and Women sports receive as oppose to men, particularly at the professional level. Feminists admit, that it is true females athletic ability, due to the minimal levels of testosterone in their body, and thus, in many sports, basketball for example, the level at which men play at is higher than women. That said, admitting that there is inequality in gender's biological makeup and thus their level of performance and societal support, is equality a possibility in the realm of sports and competition?
The introduction of Title IX in 1972 seemed to be the equalizer and indeed, through its separate but equal policy, it has provided women in high schools across the nation opportunities in leadership, teamwork, and in rare cases, a career path. Though opportunities are given to both genders, there is an obvious difference in the level of societal support. Seeing as it is impossible to will society to like something and support both genders equally, as long as the current structure remains in place, it seems that the area of athletics will remain unequal and a testament of the one gender's superiority over another. Indeed, it makes it very difficult to preach equality and convince others that women are just as capable as men in all aspects when there is evident inequality in the world of sports. As the solutions seem limited, there are some who believe that we must continue along with the theme of complete equality and look to integrate genders in athletic activity. This solution would not only solve the problem of transgenders, but might improve the quality of play among women. The problems with this, men might continue to dominate the various leagues, undermining women athletic ability and providing, once again, an example as to why men are superior to women. My solution: require each team to have a certain number of women and play them a certain amount of time each game. That way, women are playing together with men and are guaranteed playing time at all levels. Though this problem, giving the biological differences, is very difficult to overcome, I believe there is still a better way to ensure equality among the sexes in the world of competition and will continue the search for a solution.
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