Athletes & Crime

Posted on behalf of Ashley Smith:

According to our class discussion last week about scandals and controversies they seem to be a critical part of sports. I thought I would pose some questions about these scandals and controversies. Recently the biggest controversy is the talk about major league baseball players and steroids. Unfortunately, I feel that this is almost over publicized and a somewhat older topic. We have known about steroids in baseball for quite some time. Was it ever a doubt in people’s mind that when a player came into the major leagues and put on about 40 pounds of muscle that he was doing steroids?

I feel that the bigger issue is what we allow these athletes to get away with. When should we hold them accountable for their actions? Crime and sport has always been a major problem in our society. These athletes are viewed as heroes to most kids and even some adults. I was shocked to read in chapter 31 of Handbook that a study was done and one in every five NFL athletes have been charged with a serious crime. The text also goes on to say that the media doesn’t really cover sexual violence against women. Although, I feel this information is a bit out of date. We have seen in past years that this has changed since 1997. Between Kobe Bryant, the Duke Lacrosse players, and the most recent Randy Moss debacle, violence against women seems to be highly publicized. Anytime a woman seems to claim rape, abuse, or any other violent act that involves an athlete the media swarms around that rumor. Two of the above situations were proved false. Both the Duke Lacrosse case and the Randy Moss case were dropped.

I’m aware that this is not true in all cases. Sometimes the allegations are well deserved. When an athlete commits a crime he or she is often given less accountability for their actions. The public often thinks “Oh that is a typical athlete.”

Research shows, however, that violence in sports was more severe in the past then now, but the focus of the media is the violent acts of the athletes both on the field and off the field. Violence in general has gone down since the 90’s and now do to regulations the violence in association with sports has gone down drastically.

All of this being said, what is your opinion on how violence is covered in the media when it comes to athletes? Do we praise athletes for being rough and tough or do we frown upon them? Should athletes get special privileges because of their celebrity status or held accountable like the rest of society? Do you feel that athletes are unfairly singled out when it comes to violence? If so, why and where should the line be drawn?

It seems of the past century that a lot of athletes have been in media for drug or alcohol related crimes. I think of which drunk driving is the most ridiculous of all. As we discussed in class last Wednesday, there is no need for a professional athlete to be drunk driving. They definitely make enough money to afford a cab home from the club. Or couldn’t you hire a driver specifically for nights you wanted to go out to the clubs? To me that would seem better cause then you wouldn’t have to deal with parking issues. I know some people say that a lot of people do drive intoxicated and I don’t mean to be so judgmental of drunk driving. I just know some people who have been in serious car accident and have died do to alcohol related car accidents. I personally don’t think anything good can happen when someone is behind the wheel of a car intoxicated and this goes the same for athletes. What is your take on this? Is it ok for athletes to be breaking the law and putting others in jeopardy? Do we, as a society, enable them to do this? Don’t we in fact teach them that they are better then the rest of society and they are above the laws?
Although, violence in sports is common criminal acts shouldn’t be. Why do the media focus so much attention on these crimes that athletes commit? Shouldn’t the media be praising the fact that since the 90’s criminal acts related to sports have seemed to decrease?

“These entertainers are socialized at an early age live under a microscope,
and are constantly held to expectations of a mainstream society that has no understanding for the fact that not everyone shares the same world view.” (pg 538, Handbook)

I want to pose the questions because of this aren’t we in fact teaching the athletes that they are held up on a pedestal and should not conform to the laws of the rest of society?

Fortunately, there is an uprising in the contact sport field for women, with the popularization of rugby and even the leeway for contact in women’s soccer is increasing. Personally, I wish I had the opportunity to play, so I wouldn’t have to slide tackle girls on the basketball court to get out that pent up frustration. Apparently they frown upon that.

Gay Men In Sports? Is It A Problem?

In 2003, According to New York Giants tight end, Jeremy Shockey, he wouldn't "stand" for having a gay teammate and Dallas coach Bill Parcels is "a homo." Detroit Lions president Matt Millen, likewise, called Kansas City's wide receiver Johnnie Morton a "faggot." Both Shockey and Millen have apologized for their comments, and there's some encouragement to be found in the well-founded condemnation and controversy that resulted from these separate incidents. Sadly, though, these slurs point to ongoing intolerance fostered by football's "macho" ideals. Despite the efforts of gay ex-players like Esera Tuaolo, and activists like Jim Buzinski and Cyd Zeigler, Jr., who maintain the gay-oriented sports website, there clearly remains a long way to go in the struggle to eliminate homophobia in professional athletics.
Does the word "faggot" in the locker room or any other sport setting or male setting have the same effect on a person as if it were used in a non-athletic, masculine setting? Why is that professional athletes fear or seem to fear gay men in professional sports? Is it because they think that if they have a gay team mate that the team as a whole will be viewed as gay also? Do they think that sport will be considered gay because of ONE gay player? (http://www.outsports.com/nfl/2003/1216millenmorton.htm) 

In the Handbook (508) a sentence reads "The media frequently portrays male athletes as the epitome of hegemonic masculinity as strong, assertive athletes and active agents of heterosexuality". What has the media done recently with gay men in sports, have they tried to alter their auora and make them more masculine even if they know they are not heterosexual?

Olympics and Politics

It seems inevitable that every two years the Olympics become the center of some type of controversy or scandal, and this year’s summer games in China are no exception. So far, we have experienced a drug scandal with the Greek weightlifting team, questions about China’s air pollution causing harm to the athletes, and protests directed at China’s policies regarding Tibet and Darfur. The drug scandal could be considered a legitimate news story and the athlete’s health concerns are of interest to most sports fans, but what about Tibet and Darfur? Chapter 12 in The Handbook of Sports and Media suggests that the mainstream media trivializes anti-Olympic activists at the behest of corporate sponsors and the IOC.
Even The New York Times, one of the most liberal newspapers in America, has been reluctant to take a stand with the activists. Times writer George Vecsey goes so far as to agree with President Bush that any boycott of the opening ceremony would be counterproductive.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/sports/othersports/16vecsey.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=sports+scandal&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Vecsey also suggests that the Olympics have always been shrouded in controversy and scandal and that corporate America is to blame. Do you think that network television will shield their corporate sponsors from political controversy during the Olympics? Does it matter where the games are held, or should they be treated as a totally separate entity, immune from political controversy? Should the President bow to political pressure and boycott the opening ceremony?

Olympic Focus: Athletes, Media or Politics?

The Handbook of Sports and Media edited by Raney and Bryant tells us that globalization is “the flow of leisure styles, customs, and practices from one part of the world to another” and that the Olympics is the biggest forum of globalization. In light of this information I found this article by Emma Wensing from the Yale Global:
http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/cultural/2004/olympics0810.htm

After reading this article, I realized that there were outside forces which made the Olympics a platform for globalization: the media and politics, which go hand in hand. With the technology of our era, the reporting has not only become of the athletes and the Games, but also about the hosting country, their political agenda, and their overall culture.

Since the first airing of the Olympics in 1964, the Olympic Games have transformed from an exhibition of the beauty of athletics to a globalization of athletic dominance. As Wensing’s article states, each country portrays their Olympians differently through the media. Some countries, such as Australia and the United States focus more on their international rivals and the wins throughout the Games. Smaller, or less athletic, countries like New Zealand focus on the core aspects of the game: how the game is played, how the athletes trained and what can make the athletes better.

Wensing’s article also suggests that the Olympics are like a war: “Sporting events are one of the few public spheres where nations compete against each other without causing harm…The country that wins, or receives the most number of medals, is simply superior.” The war is not only for the media and glory’s sake, but also as fuel for political practices.

This summer is an example of the added pressure of politics. The 2008 summer games are stationed in Beijing, China. A communist country, China has a strict regimen and is constantly protested against and scrutinized for their government’s choices in area such as Darfur and Tibet. But the fact of the matter is that the Olympic Games were not intended to be a forum for international debates. The country is simply the location of the games, a hopeful spot for tourism but never the less a gaming arena.

Does your “Team America” spirit come out during the Olympics season? Which country do you think will win the “war”? Do you feel that America is a superior country in the athletic world? Do you believe that the setting of China takes away from the games? Do you feel that the Olympic Games have been corrupted by the media and politics?

Is China in trouble For Hosting 2008 Olympic Games?

Is China in Trouble For Hosting 2008 Olympic Games?


Over 3.8 billion people are anticipated to view the upcoming Olympics. The games in Beijing will comprise 302 events in 28 sports. There are many political, social and economic issues surrounding China right now. China’s involvement with Darfur and China’s investments of oil in Sudan are subject matters of concern.


I found an article on yahoo titled the “flame of controversy” dealing with people’s concerns about the future Olympics in China. http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=dw-olygamble040708&prov=yhoo&type=lgns


There are many key issues and debates regarding globalization. According to the Handbook of Sports and Media by Arthur A. Raney, he states, “The concept of globalization is subject to intense political, ideological and social scientific debate.” It can be concluded that globalization refers to the growing network of political, economic, cultural and social interdependencies. It involves increasing global interconnectedness. Globalization can also be seen to involve multidirectional movements of people, customs and ideas.


Beijing is under constant Olympic pressure. There is no avoiding riots and protests. These acts will surely affect the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games, like other forms and functions of today's globalization, involve exchange of ideas, investments, culture and customs.


Do you think there are going to be major problems in China before, during or after the Olympics? Do you think that the Olympics will serve to enhance China’s relationship with other nations and the public’s world view? Will it produce any meaningful lasting positive or negative affects?

Is Tennis A Racist Sport?

To begin, I would like to ask you how many notable African-American tennis players you can name. 

Besides Arthur Ashe, and Venus and Serena Williams, it is probable that you would have to do some research to compose a list of more than three players. This is the reality of the game of tennis. Like golf, it has always been a predominately white, middle-class sport, both for the athletes who play the game, and the audiences who watch it. 

In our readings, MediaSport states that “black athletes have historically been underrepresented in the sports media” (448). While this was formerly true for most all sports, tennis seems to remain the sport where black athletes have to struggle to be accepted by both the media, and the tour’s primarily white crowds. After reading several articles, it seems clear that tour audiences do not seem too fond of letting minority players, such as Venus and Serena Williams, dominate their traditionally white sport. 

As someone who doesn’t follow tennis incredibly closely, I would say that tennis powerhouses Venus and Serena seem to be adored by the media. Their impact on tennis is undeniable, as their talent has intensified the level of play in all areas of the game, and they always seem to be two of the more popular players on WTA tours. But ever since the 2001 Sony Ericsson Tour, there has been controversy regarding the Williams sisters being targets of racism by the media, and by stadium crowds around the women’s tour. Venus was booed by the crowd after she backed out of a semifinal match with a knee injury. Serena went on to win the title, but was booed both during and after match. 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/tennis/03/20/wta.williams.ap/index.html

Stories like these of the sisters being abused by white crowds are well documented, and apparently very common, but are kept quiet by both the media and the tours’ white commentators. White female commentators are known to praise white players like Maria Sharapova in all areas of her game, but discredit Venus and Serena, saying their championship titles are a result of physical ability rather than their skills and knowledge of the game. Just recently, during the women’s tour in India in early March, Serena won the title. Her father, Richard Williams, stated that “it was the worst media job that they have done on any human being in the world.” While the WTA’s head Larry Scott adamantly denies the recent claims of racism on the women’s tour, it leads to my first question: 

Do you think that tennis is a racist sport? Does there appear to be covert racism, or in several cases obvious racism, that exists against the Williams sisters because they do not meet the traditional standards of female tennis players? (white, thin, feminine physique) How do you feel the media’s coverage, support, and praise of white players like Maria Sharapova compares to the Williams sisters? If you do think that racism exists in tennis, do you think it’s an issue that can ever be solved? or is the idea of tennis being a predominately white sport too imbedded in our culture?

Racial Stereotyping In Sports... How Far Will It Go?

In class this past Wednesday we discussed the issue of race and ethnicity in sports and we learned that this issue is one of the most talked about and most researched issues in sports today.  Chapter 10 of Mediasport discusses race and ethnicity in relation to the United States media and Laurel R. Davis and Othello Harris discuss the many stereotypes in sports.  Various stereotypes have been established in sports.  In magazines, white athletes are often seen posing for photographs without a jersey on.  White athletes are also normally photographed standing with no action going on in the picture.  African American athletes are known for looking tough in photographs and normally wearing a jersey in an advertisement.  African American athletes are also known for action shots.  

African Americans are stereotyped for having greater athleticism than whites.  In relation to sports, Laurel R. Davis and Othello Harris state, “Media often reinforce the stereotype that African-Americans are natural athletes” (Mediasport 158).  While African Americans are stereotyped for being more athletic, whites are stereotyped for having greater intelligence, “Related to the stereotype about intelligence is the notion that African-Americans do not make good team leaders, coaches or administrators because they lack requisite knowledge possessed by European-Americans” (Mediasport 159).  I found this quote to be extremely interesting because I think African Americans and whites are equally capable of being good team leaders, coaches or administrators. 

I found a very interesting article that relates to the athleticism and intelligence level of athletes.  The article, http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03/for_wm u_basketball_players_rac.html, is about Western Michigan State University Basketball player David Kool.  Kool is a white basketball player and he explains how he has been faced with the stereotype of being more intelligent and less athletic than African American basketball players.  He goes into detail about the stereotype of coaches thinking they are safe recruiting an African American athlete in terms of skill level but he also discusses the fact that many coaches often wonder if African American athletes can handle the workload in school.  Kool says that people would not be able to tell the difference in the academic grades between African Americans or whites on his basketball team. During class we also discussed racial labeling and Kool explains how there have been times when he has felt uncomfortable when it comes to labeling because his teammates are both African American and white.  He explains how he often replaces the phrase "white people" with words such as "we" or "us" in fear of offending his African American teammates.  Kool also explains how he has always been intimidated by African American athletes due to the stereotype of their superior athleticism, Kool gave the example of his African American teammate's ability to jump extremely high and he says that he can not even dunk the basketball. 

How do you feel about the stereotype of African American athletes being less intelligent than white athletes?  In relation to the article, do you think Western Michigan University should balance the races on their basketball team to help reduce stereotyping? Do you think white athletes are more recognizable in advertisements than African American athletes without a jersey on, why or why not?  Do you think white athletes have a disadvantage compared to African-American athletes in terms of athletic ability?  What do you think our society can do to change the stereotypes placed on athletes? Will racial stereotyping change for better or for worse in the future?