Storyline: Just when we think women are, finally, completely, and downright accepted into the sporting world, the battle against sexist individuals and shared opinions is still being fought.
On Monday, March 1st, FOX sports broadcaster, Erin Andrews, found herself reliving the anguish of when her stalker, Michael David Barrett, secretly shot nude videos of her that were posted online.
Courtesy: thewrap,com
After the incident happened (July 2009) she suffered anxiety and depression, which lead to Andrews taking a leave of absence from her job. She’s back in court in conjunction with her $75 million lawsuit against Barrett and the owner and operator of the Marriott Hotel in Nashville, where she was secretly filmed while undressing in 2008. The owner gave Barrett the room next to Andrews after he requested it.
Isn’t that a tad suspicious? The hotel staff is to blame, along with Barrett. Each played a role leading to the video being shot. It’s the classic domino effect associated (in this case) with an invasion of privacy.
Andrews broke down in court. She said the incident “ripped her apart.” A man videotaping her without permission, naked. Naked or not, it’s a crime. The video went viral, viewed by an estimated 17 million people. With this lack of privacy, Andrews felt she would be viewed as a completely different person. The naked images of her left her depressed, nervous, ashamed and embarrassed … and righteously so.
Erin Andrews in court (CNN.com)
But, to make matters worse, on Monday in court she said she was pressured to do an interview to prove that it wasn’t a publicity stunt. How disgusting and manipulating is that? Not only did she have her self-esteem crushed, but she also had to prove that the incident wasn’t a “set up” to boost ratings and her fame.
It’s all showing how difficult it is to be what she wanted: to be “the girl next door who loved sports.”
Erin Andrews succeeded in the sports broadcasting world, which is a competitive field AND a male-dominated industry. After the incident and returned to the air, viewers would see camera shots occasionally linger on her body. All the focus went to her appearance, which made it harder for Andrews to do her job, which is to report games and interview athletes.
Back in 2013, Dan Sileo, a radio host from Florida tweeted a bunch of revolting, sexist insults about her, including “Love Erin Andrews either naked or in a porn. Not at a sports desk.” Although he was fired, his words not only justify Erin Andrews’ emotions, but prove how hard it must have been for her to continue. Men did not take her seriously as they continued to make misogynistic comments.
Courtesy: blog.coachup.com
With Erin Andrews being in this situation it’s hard to keep in mind just how far women in the sports have come. Just this past year there has been so much growth. America has embraced Jen Wetler, the first NFL Coach; Sarah Thomas, the first NFL official; and Justine Siegal, the first MLB coach. Becky Hammon became the first NBA Coach; and Jessica Mendoza was welcomed on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball as the first female announcer. Rhonda Rousey made an appearance as the first woman on the cover of Men’s Fitness magazine, and the first paid women’s hockey league, NWHL, is now a thing.
It’s so easy to let the excitement about the progress, and the many steps forward women have made in the sports world, to blind us. We know that sports bring people around the world together; and we also know that young girls and older women have role models to look up to. But just when we think women are, finally, completely, and downright accepted into the sporting world, the battle against sexist individuals and shared opinions is still being fought. The darkness of this incident leads many to see her as prominent, but more for her looks than because of her talent. That’s heartbreaking.
Courtesy: timesfreepress
Although Barrett spent 30 months in Federal prison after he admitted to filming three videos of Andrews and posting them online, he left a hard-working, charismatic reporter as the subject of worshipful YouTube videos and the object of obscene comments gossip all over the Internet–including comments made on her current social media accounts. This is something that still haunts her, 7 years later, and probably will haunt her for the rest of her life.
Erin Andrews has been my inspiration to become a sportscaster. I’m proud to say that. She has not allowed negativity to bring her down, to quit. Instead, she continues to rise up and excel at becoming an even better, serious, and hopefully, a more respected, sports broadcaster.
great perspective on how women deserve respect within the sports world.