Storyline: There’s way too much censorship in the world of sports. Athletes need to be able to speak up, to stand for something.
See how meaningless the title of this article is … without the backdrop to the story?
That’s the feeling I’ve been experiencing lately regarding sports. Whatever happened to freedom of speech? In the NFL a player is subject to discipline if his behavior is defined as detrimental to the team, like being arrested, engaging in public altercations, using PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs), etc.
Not once, in all the years I’ve been involved in sports, have I witnessed such incredible and unbearable sensitivity! It’s becoming LUDICROUS!! It seems that, in the modern era (of not just professional but college athletics, as well), these organizations seem to mistake employment for ownership! Owners own the FRANCHISES, but they do not OWN players! As the owner of a team you pay guys to perform on the field, court, or ice. Their personal lives are just that, PERSONAL!
OSU’s Elliott and Jones have gotten in trouble for speaking up (photo courtesy wcpo.com)
If no laws are being broken, what right does a team have to dictate what you do when you’re off the clock? How come no one sees a problem starting to fester?
The absolute last straw over the weekend was when Ohio State RB Ezikial Elliott honestly and openly questioned the play calling of his coaching staff. Here’s a guy who averages 30 carries per game. How come–in a game where his team was struggling in the passing game and the weather conditions were deplorable–there wasn’t a game plan to execute the run more?Simple question right? It’s the same question Elliott posed to a group of reporters. How can anything I just said be deemed as conduct detrimental to the team? He didn’t say anything malicious. He didn’t portray his teammates or university in a negative manner. Still, Head Coach Urban Meyer talked about Elliott’s comments being made “in the wrong setting.” That’s odd. I thought that’s what postgame press conferences were for–a forum to discuss the game, the strategies (successful or not), next week’s opponent, injuries, and so on.
There’s way too much censorship taking place in the world of sports! I was further appalled when Elliott later apologized for his comments. As a young man growing up in front of society’s eyes he should be setting a precedent–where he’s known as a man of his words, that he stands for something.
Jim Brown speaks up (photo courtesy ESPN)
Today, is there a Muhammad Ali, Metta World Peace, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Charles Barkley, Jim Brown, Deacon Jones, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Ricky Williams, Sam Cassell, Tori Hunter, Dave Winfield, and any of a host of others?! Those athletes weren’t afraid to speak their peace.
Society has slowly infiltrated the world of sports. It has to STOP! Ask any athlete and they will tell you that their respective sport serves as a kind of solitude. It helps them escape reality even if it’s only for a couple of hours. It provides solace, peace, and comfort.
If athletes start feeling like that tranquility has vanished, there’s going to be a lot of empty stadiums, arenas, and ballparks.
Passion belongs in the world of sports, not SENSITIVITY!
