By Arthur Solomon
As 2012 draws to its conclusion, it's difficult to remember a more hypocritical year for the sports world.
There was the Lance Armstrong doping allegations and the National Hockey League still wearing blinders about fighting on the ice andalso being slow to admit that concussions are not only limited to football.
But, in my opinion, the hypocrisy reached its apex on Sunday, December 16, when the National Football League observed a moment ofsilence for the victims of the horrific Newtown massacre of young children and teachers.
The gesture should be put in proper context. Yes, it was the right thing for the N.F.L. to do. But considering the N.F.L.'s history of violence on the field and its long history of refusing to acknowledge that every play can be the one that causes life threatening, life changing braindamage to its players, one wonders if the N.F.L.'s orchestrated moment of silence was nothing more than a public relations tactic.
If the N.F.L. is serious about condemning dangerous actions, which can result in deaths of innocents, all it has to do is look at the number of players, past and present, who have been charged with drunken driving and other criminal activities off the field. And what is the N.F.L.'s response? A few games suspension or a fine.
Psychologists have long warned that the violence glamorized in all areas of the entertainment word can have a detrimental affect on youngsters. Computer games, movies, comic books and television shows have more than their share of violence.
But in the sporting world, the N.F.L. is in a league of its own in the violence arena, both on and off the field. The lingo of the game is linked to violent activities: gunners, bombs, blitz and shot gun formation and probably others that I cannot think of. All too often commentators describe tackles as a "hard hit, but legal." The least the league can do is take the violent terms out of its lexicon.
A more meaningful tribute to the victims of the Newtown catastrophe took place in the Westchester County city of White Plains, N.Y., about an hour drive from the tragedy. Without fanfare and N.F.L. football publicists once again trumpeting the caring and goodness of the league and teams, the Westchester county executive said that a gun and knife show would not be permitted in the County Center in 2013 and other elected officials said gun and knife shows should be banned from government-owned facilities
Soon the N.F.L. will again propagandize Americans to believe that football and America are synonomous by utilizing our military as propsduring the Super Bowl.
Too often the sports leagues and sports marketers, supported by the media, are accomplices in glorifying people just because they can throw a pass, hit a jump shot or excel on the baseball field. And all too often these icons are found faulty. Excellence in sports should not a hero make. Our heroes should be teachers all over the United States that strive to educate children, the first responders and our soldiers that attempt to protect us all and the scientists seeking cures for illnesses.
Whenever our country is at war or there is a national tragedy, such as took place in Connecticut, the N.F.L. never misses an opportunity to show what a concerned and patriotic organization it is. But like many of our political leaders it is easy to show compassion during a disaster. But how can anyone take the N.F.L.'s orchestrated gestures seriously considering the league's glorification of violence on the field over the years and its slap on the wrist punishments to player's dangerous, unsportsmanlike conduct off the field.
Has America lost its moral compass? For daring to speak about our gun culture during a football game after the murder-suicide committed by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher, Bob Costas was roundly criticized with ridiculous comments like, "He should stick to sports."
Has America lost its moral compass? If not yet, we're certainly well on the way to doing so.
* * *
Arthur Solomon was a senior VP/senior counselor at Burson-Marsteller, handling national and international sports and non-sports programs, including the Olympic and Asian Games organizing committees and sponsors. He can be reached at [email protected] |
Wes Pedersen (12/20):
Has America lost its moral compass? Yes, yes, but years ago. We've been breathing in a swamp of venality since the Roaring 20s brough us bootleg booze, films touting Al Capone. white stuff, and horrifying crimes by wealth young men.
We no longer need a compass; the road to Hell is mapped in our tolerant minds forever. The National Rifle Association has taught us "Guns Are Good." Guns and Gore are America today.
Joe Honick, GMA International Ltd (1/08):
Arthur, I have been informed that 34 NFL players tested positive for brain disease!!! |