“Are
Pro-Sports Violent Because Society Is More Violent?”
The “basket-brawl” at
a recent Detroit Pistons-Indiana Pacers game has
created a major buzz about violence in our society
and why it seems to be escalating. Some wonder
if recent high-profile incidents in the sports
world are just a mirror of today’s violent
societal climate. Today Larry poses the question:
are athletes justified in retaliating or should
they have taken more responsibility as role models?
This sports-loving family
of four was taking in the Pistons-Pacers game
when the near-riot
broke out.
Parents John and Toni say their daughters Torrie
and Alex were extremely shaken after the incident.
After sitting down with the girls to explain that
adults shouldn’t behave that way, John feels
more strongly than ever that athletes should embrace
their responsibility as role models. He also believes
that player Ron Artest and the NBA should apologize
for the melee.
Former Los Angeles Rams running
back Eric Dickerson and former Detroit Piston John
Salley stopped by
to give their take on violence in sports. Salley
says that he was often provoked while playing in
the NBA and that it is somewhat understandable
that Pistons player Artest would retaliate. Dickerson
agrees that fans can often get out of hand but
says
that the players should’ve taken responsibility
and restrained themselves. Video Clip: Salley and
Dickerson share their own stories about fan heckling.
Football icon Anthony Davis has played for the
University of Southern California, the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams. Davis says
he is appalled that a public apology has not been
made for the NBA brawl and that the players have
set a terrible example for their young fans. When
it comes to violence in sports, Davis believes
that rap and video games contribute to the violence
that is permeating our society.
As the director of the Center for the Study of
Sports in Society at Northeastern University, Peter
Roby has a thing or two to say on today’s
topic. Roby says that the prevalence of violence
in the media has desensitized our society and permeated
the sports world. He also believes that young sports
players who are suddenly showered with money and
fame aren’t always given the tools to accept
the responsibility that accompanies the role.
While playing on the football team at the University
of South Carolina, 23-year-old John Strickland
had a shocking end to his college sports career.
A much-publicized brawl during the Clemson-USC
game kept him from participating in the bowl game.
Strickland says that he is disappointed that sportsmanship
was not shown and that he doesn’t get the
experience of playing in the bowl game. He believes
that competitive natures and violence should not
go hand-in-hand and that athletes should be held
to a higher standard.
Quick Clicks
Weigh in on today’s topic in our Show Talk
forum. Speak your mind
here.
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VIDEO
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