Rei's presentation in class the other week made me think about the sport of hockey. Rei explained his opinion that punishments should be more strict for fighting in hockey and how fighting sets a bad example for young teenagers who play the sport. Rei's video clip heavily supported his opinion because it was sad to see young teens resorting to violence. I agreed and disagreed with the presentation. I think that fighting in hockey does set a bad example for young teens and acts as a bad role model. When kids see there favorite athletes throwing punches, what does that influence them to do? The problem with this is that fighting keeps hockey popular. Hockey is losing popularity and already struggling to keep a steady fan base. If fighting were taken away from hockey the sport in my opinion would fold. Many people I know only watch hockey for the fights, and that is the only reason I have ever watched it. A few years back two players in the NHL were in a fight, causing the one player involved to sustain serious injury's that threatened the players career and long term health. Even though fighting makes the sport entertaining is it worth sending bad messages and risking the health of the players?
I disagree 100% Nick. First of all there have never been any life threatening injuries in a fight where two players square off. Yes, players like Steve Moore and Donald Brashear are victims of violent cheap shots that ended Moore's career and put Brashear in the hospital. But who is to say hockey players, or any athlete for that matter, have to be roll models for children? My experience with hockey players has tought me that hockey players are some of the most irresponsible human beings to step on this plant. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, because hockey players are fun down to earth people, but they certainly should not be deemed a role model. I also saw no problem in a couple of eight year olds battle it out. It is not like that fight can get out of hand. My point is violence in hockey will forever be part of the game because it is not a serious problem in the sport, it is s contributer to the sport.
ReplyDeleteTo me there is a huge difference between the kind of fights that occur between two players who "duke it out" and the "cheap shots" that Marty McSorley, Todd Bertuzzi, and others have made. I believe the penalties for the latter need to be stiff to send a message that such incidents will not be tolerated. But I am not that sure that the other kind of fights are really that dangerous. As for the role model issue, I think a lot of athletes are placed on pedestals who probably should not be there. Maybe Charles Barkley had something when he said, "I am not a role model."
ReplyDeleteI believe that the code that they have for hockey violence is fine just the way it is, as long as it is called correctly. I have all male cousins that participated in hockey so i have been to many games. I believe some of the violence are mistakes that the players make just because the game is moving so fast and that results in a two minute penalty which is a proper punishment so they can cool down and then get back into the game. But, when players start to take cheap shots at each other is when the ref needs to step in and start to eject people out of the game. When a player is at risk of getting a serious injury the other players needs to get thrown out for the rest of the game for everyones safety and believe the rules they have set are proper punishment. As for role models, i know my little brothers look up to many of the hockey players for inspiration and i believe some fighting is good for them to see so that they become more aggressive in the sport.
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