Final Reflections

Before taking this class I had always enjoyed sport. I grew up playing sports, like most kids I engaged in a range of sports, I played peewee baseball, soccer, tennis, and even tried track; I was interested in any activity in which I could exert my energy. Aside from playing sports, they have always served as entertainment that have and continue to bring my family and friends together.

Being a sports fan and following the news that surrounds it, I was aware of some of the issues. However, from this course I learned the greater depth of gender and race inequality, the norms, and perceptions that surround sport that I was not conscious of before.  For example, I got a greater understanding of the LGBT issues and the stigma that is associated with such athletes. Overall this class has opened my eyes. It is clear now that sport and politics inevitably bleed into one another.

I believe that the skills and knowledge that I received in this course will definitely be valuable in the future. It has allowed me to critically analyze sport in a way that I had not before. If anyone were considering taking this course I would definitely recommend it because it is something that we all engage in, both individually and culturally. 

Last Blog Woo!!!!!

"Why the 'Mans Mans' Game is an Insult to Men"

I believe that while sport is becoming a safer space for LGBT athletes these players will still unfortunately face discrimination and hostility now and in the future, simply because when anything falls short of the norm negative attention is typically drawn. Penn State for example was a terrible space for lesbian athletes. They were forced to hide their true identity. These women were made to believe that they we were tainted and forced to live a double life, or live in fear that their true identities would be unveiled. Most importantly it hindered their overall college experience. Within Professional sport there seems to be a common fear from LGBT athletes that coming out will jeopardize potential endorsements, popularity, and their market value. This underlines how many of these athletes are closeted due to fear and potential denial.

However, I believe that brave LGBT athletes that have come out to the public are challenging such ideals and are refocusing the issue and what is important. We see this with Jennifer Harris, Jason Collins, Michael Sam and many other athletes who have proven that athleticism and skill is the only thing that truly matters within the sport realm. In addition to this the Olympics, NCAA, NBA, NFL and other sporting organizations are taking small steps to support LGBT athletes so that they can be open and confident. As Scott Fugita notes: “The way I've seen the conversation around LGBT issues evolve, especially in the past few years, has been encouraging. Guys are more accepting than they used to be. Even those who raise personal objections to homosexuality, some of whom are good friends of mine, would still be able to coexist and accept a gay teammate." I think that this highlights that overall, the ball is rolling toward LGBT equality within sport, but yet there is still a long way to go before this is actually the case. 

"Darwin's Athletes": Sports & Ethnicity

Films such as Hoop Dreams, Love and Basketball, The Blind Side, and Remember the Titans, all underline the struggle of African American’s through the lens of sport. However, what is interesting is that almost all of these films emphasize that upward mobility for such marginalized groups can only be achieved through athletic success. As result these very activities are strictly stressed for individuals who are less privileged and come from poor backgrounds, African Americans specifically.

However, I believe that such portrayals and messages can be dangerous because they can effectively limit opportunities or narrow possible avenues that can lead to other outlets of success. This is especially true when we consider the percentage of athletes that go pro. According to the article "Here Are The Odds That Your Kid Becomes A Professional Athlete (Hint: They're Small)" From the Business Insider: only 11.6% of college baseball athletes go pro, 1.7% for men’s football, 1.3% for ice hockey, 1.2% for men’s basketball, 1% for men’s soccer, and 0.9% for women’s basketball. When we consider these percentages they highlight the fact that such aspirations are bleak and that in realistic terms many will not achieve the ultimate success of making it to the pros.

 

Yet, even while this may be the case films continue to push this success story. The film the Blind Side that came out in 2009 follows the story Michael Oher who came from nothing and ended up becoming a starting offensive tackle in the NFL. It is a true account of an individual going from “rags to riches”. It is also a story similar to Hoop Dreams and Love and Basketball where individuals put everything on the line to achieve their goals.  However, while these Holly Wood stories may be uplifting and provide a sense hope I believe they present more damage than good. I would argue that because they focus specifically on African American athletes they have the tendency and ability to continue the stereotypes that suggest that such individuals are good at only one thing- sport. I believe that we culturally need to move away from such narratives and begin to encourage all youth that success in not limited. 

"You Throw Like a Girl": Sports, (Wo)men & the Gender Order II

In this Carl’s Jr. commercial, normative gender roles are clearly underlined. Terrell Owens a former NFL receiver is poolside eating a hamburger and is surrounded by women in bikinis. The scene casts Terrell Owen as the “bad boy” whereas the women simply provide sex appeal and reaffirm the athlete’s status. This is highlighted through the way the women are positioned, they are seen bending over T.O as if they are praising or worshipping him, while Owens is seen as relaxed and comfortable with hamburger in hand; owning the macho image.

Carl’s Jr. has always used seductive women for advertisement. These women are always wearing minimal clothing and are consistently positioned in sexual positions, a strategy used to make hamburgers seem attractive or sexy. This message is explicit in each of their commercials; however, it is important to note that this tactic is present throughout western media. The saying “sex sells” is obviously something that is taken to heart and used on a consistent basis, even when the product itself has nothing to do with sex. The women displayed are skinny and their bodies are clearly emphasized. 

Therefore with this in mind it is evident that mainstream illustrations distort our perception of beauty and what is important. I would argue that such advertisements persuade people especially our female youth that personal value is determined strictly on physical appearance and nothing else. I believe that this is very dangerous because it suggests that people are not good enough as they are and that they need to make adjustments accordingly to fit the ideal image. As a result eating disorders such anorexia and bulimia have become more prevalent. Thus, I believe that we need more advertisements that promote natural beauty such as the dove campaign that was recently lauched to challenge these mainstream representations and provide an alternative and healthier message to the public. 

Video link: http://youtu.be/o0EzeStwP5I 

Interrogating inequalities in Sports Media: Examining gender/race representation in ESPN

Within in the last week the focus on ESPN has for the most part surrounded male athletes. Whether it is basketball, golf, football, or even the Olympics, men took the center stage. Occasionally they had a headlining article covering female athletes such as those covering the US women’s hockey team or a recap on a collegiate basketball game. However, by in large these articles were scarce. Just looking at the homepage of ESPN it is obvious that men dominate the spotlight. For example, the main tabs for ESPN's website are dedicated to male sport only: "NFL", "NBA", "MLB", and "Men's College Basketball". 

These findings support the research regarding the presentation of women in sports media, where female sport is placed on the back burner and or ignored completely. This is partially due to fact that in American society today, sports are seen as a part of “man culture”. Which, in effect has unfortunately pushed the focus away from female athletics. This highlights the values that are ingrained and emphasized in American sport in regards to women and establishes men as the head. 

However, while this may be the case this is slowly changing and this kind of selective reporting is being challenged. For example this week the US women’s hockey team received more camera time and praise than the men did due to their superior performance in the Olympics. In the past female sports have been brushed aside however, this stigma is slowly changing, headway is being made, and popularity is increasing. Yet even still such efforts need to continue and as a society we need to make the statement that all people are truly equal regardless of not only race but gender as well as we move forward. 

Sports and Education: Collegiate Sport

The question that has been surrounding the sports world is whether or not we should pay college athletes? This has been a headlining topic of discussion specifically today, some argue that athletes should receive compensation given the large revenue they produce, while others claim that if we paid athletes it would jeopardize the integrity of school sport.

One thing I found interesting that was noted in the article from The Atlantic: The Shame of College Sports, is that “We profess outrage each time we learn that yet another student-athlete has been taking money under the table. But the real scandal is the very structure of college sports, wherein student-athletes generate billions of dollars for universities and private companies while earning nothing for themselves” I believe that this perfectly highlights how this issue is masked and altered to make athletes look like the quote on quote bad guys and not the other way around.

However, even though this occurring, the NCAA holds the reigns of collegiate sports and it seems that they will continue to issue suspensions and fines anytime they are getting cut out of the so-called “deal” and frame the issue in this manner. There are many famous NCAA investigations; one popular incident was with the University of Southern California and Reggie Bush (now running back for the Detroit Lions), where he was found guilty for receiving large sums of money to play football. When sanctions were released Reggie was casted as the villain to such an extreme that he ended up surrendering his Heisman trophy. Also The University of Southern California received punishment as well, as noted in the ESPN article NCAA delivers postseason ban USC received a “two-year bowl ban, four years' probation, loss of scholarships and had to forfeit an entire year's games”.

All in all when I consider the risk these athletes take on it seems rationale to me to pay them for the value that they bring to a team. Yet, with individual beliefs aside, what is evident is that such programs are taking advantage of the student body for financial gain; however by categorizing these individuals as “student athletes” it has allowed such organizations to continue they efforts unscathed. The question is whether this will last? Or will we see a change in the future?

High School Sport

The U.S. is one of the only countries that provide funding for school athletics. As a result sport has flourished and has become the spotlight on all stages. It is geared to reinforce values of dedication, perseverance, and teamwork. However, high school sport does not always meet such goals, instead we see many student athletes being pressured to meet the high expectations that they are held to and consistently win games at any cost. These burdens have and continue to jeopardize the education of students. Schools may have eligibility requirements; yet even still many times such rules are bent or overlooked in order to keep top athletes in the game. During my high school athletics I saw this first hand, usually after one conversation with a teacher you were back on the field. This was especially the case if the team was doing well that year. This is something that happens across the board, which highlights how sport takes the front burner in U.S. culture, regardless of what is at stake. This is concerning because when we emphasize one skill over another, it can leave individuals with out opportunities if their athletic career comes up short of expectation or falls through.  However, by the same token it is important to note while such programs can strip opportunities they can also create them. Therefore, athletic programs are not the issue; it is what is being valued that creates the problem. I believe that if we put them on level playing field students will have a brighter future in all regards.  

Sports, Alienation & Athletes' Rights I

When young athletes enter their pro careers they find themselves signing what seem to be large contracts. However, while these initial earnings seem like a lot, these athletes take on a lot of expenses as well. With an increased pension many over consume, buying jewelry, cars, houses, and even yachts. As a result athletes get them selves into debt because many lack financial education, have the burden of friends and family to provide for, and or make careless decisions with the money they do have- either through gambling or through bad investments. What many of these pros do not realize is that eventually the money stops coming. As noted in the 30 for 30 documentary the average career for a football player is 3 years, yet many refuse to recognize this fact. This is especially true for NFL players because their contracts are not guaranteed and injuries can end a career in an instant. The most significant issue for athletes is the fact many never consider what they will do after their career is over, which makes the transition into retirement extremely difficult. This is another factor that adds to the strain, lack of stability, and downfall for an athlete.

It seems that athletes from the 80s and 90s have pointed to the consequences that can occur. However, even though these negative avenues have been highlighted, it is ultimately left up to the individual athlete to make the responsible decisions with their money. In my opinion I believe that such negative stories will continue to surface. Money has and will continue to pose a burden on individuals and without proper assistance financial stress will inevitably plague athletes in the future. 

Sport, Politics and the Olympics

In 1936 the Summer Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany. A critical time that was marked with angst and uncertainty for minority groups.  Leading up to the Games Hitler and the Nazi party made persistent efforts to exclude Jews and Blacks from participating in an attempt to promote “white supremacy”. Hitler’s actions highlight how sport can be used as a vehicle for propaganda.  With worldwide attention Hitler made efforts to promote anti-Semitic beliefs and underline the white race as the dominant race through sport.

However even with such efforts of exclusion, Hitler was forced to allow full participation due to boycotts from other nations. Even so, many athletes refused to take part as a form of protest specifically the Jewish community. However, equal participation did not extend on the German front.  Helene Mayer was the only female athlete of jewish descent that was aloud to participate and represent Germany, other than that the German team strictly represented Aryan supremacy.

If we look at the Olympic games in general, they have always evoked a sense of nationalism and pride for one’s own country, however, with the current tension and clear split between ideologies, the 1936 Berlin Games inflated such associations.  While Germans were trying to make overall racial generalizations, many American athletes pushed for participation even during such hostile times, in an effort to undercut the views and beliefs of the Nazi party and promote a sense of equality.  Jesse Owens an African American track star won four gold medals; he won the 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump, and the 4x10 meter relay. His performance along with other minority athletes proved that regardless of class, race, or creed that an athlete could succeed on the world stage. 

This is one example that proves that the statement: “sport is pure and devoid of political interference” is not only false but it is irrational. Especially in the case of the Olympics, sport and politics go hand in hand. The athletes from around the world represent the values and beliefs of their respected countries. Even, if it is not the specific intention of the given athletes their involvement marks a sense of support for their respected nations. In the case of the “Nazi” Games, for the most part with one exception German athletes symbolized the ideas and views of popular German thought at the time. It can be argued that German athletes essentially served as the support for Hitler’s assertions given their exclusive make-up. 

Therefore it is clear, that sport and politics inevitably bleed into one another. Even, today as we get ready for the Sochi Winter Olympics, we see athletes advocating for the popular moral and political beliefs that are in contention. With Russia’s stance on sexual liberties and the increased support it has received in other parts of the world, many athletes and politicians have refused and/or have protested participation as a result.  These actions have motivated others to contribute and support such progression of civil liberties. Such efforts prove that sport can promote change in society, question normative ways, and encourage others to follow suit. The results may not be immediate, however, they make such actions relevant and meaningful.  As we look forward this will continue to be case, athletes will continuously find them selves in the cross hairs of politics, given that citizens will continue to look toward popular figures for representation and support as various issues arise.

London Calling

Recently the NFL has brought games to London in an effort to gain international attention and increase economic gain. In addition there is potential a interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars owner to move the franchise to London permanently given the lack of current ticket sales as noted in the article. With a common language and being an “internationally renowned city” London marks arguably a great location bringing in a range of European fans.  In order to push this effort forward, the NFL has considered giving a London based franchise an additional 30 million dollars a year in cap space to ensure that it remains “competitive in the marketplace”. In addition they have considered setting up team bases in America to help aid travel concerns.

However, even with such efforts there are a lot of limitations that the NFL will have to overcome to make this expansion successful.  The first thing that the NFL has to do is convince players to play and potentially live in London. Second, they have to work out scheduling so that long distance traveling is limited and finally they have to overcome the challenges of the different time zones such as the effects on game times and even players bodies, i.e. jetlag.  With all this in mind it seems clear that such an expansion is not in the immanent future. The NFL will continue to host games in London, however, with the current barriers and potential costs it is does not seem rational for the NFL to make London a permanent stake for operations given current circumstances. 

Sociogenesis of Skydiving

The origin of skydiving is debatable, but is most commonly attributed to André-Jacques Garnerin, who was a French inventor and an individual known for his large jumps where he used a canopy to break his fall. His first descent using a parachute happened on October 22^nd 1797. Since this time, parachutes have evolved and have become much more advanced. Also with the invention of the airplane people have been able to jump from greater heights, which has in effect pushed the sport into new bounds. Since it’s beginning, skydiving has been a sport but has also been used as a tactical advantage during warfare. Today parachutes are commonly made with nylon and are rectangular shaped to provide greater stability compared to the circle shaped counterparts that were used throughout World War I.

As this sport has progressed, the outfit has developed to accommodate colder temperatures, goggles have been added to help with visibility, and a helmet for protection. However, as far as rules go, the laws of gravity and aerodynamics are the only true factors that define what people are allowed to do. Therefore, individuals who engage in this extreme sport are free to push the limits at their own risk. This in effect has created competition and thus has resulted in great progression; in 2012 Australian, Felix Baumgartner successfully landed a freefall jump from a record height of 39 kilometers. While this record is astonishing, it is only a matter of time before someone tries to break it.  However, it is important to note that with great strides comes great costs, in the case of skydiving, this has resulted in death. Every year people die because people either take too many risks and or as a result of faulty equipment. Thus, it is clear that this is a sport for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers who are willing to put it all on the line each and every time. 

Sport in the Ancient World

Sports in Ancient Greece included the triple jump, javelin, discus, wrestling, boxing, sprinting, pankration, and four-horse chariot races. As noted in the short film Ancient Olympia “losers were disgraced and forgotten”, the games played were all about winning, just as they are today.  However, In Ancient Greece woman were not permitted to attend the Olympia games, the only woman allowed to enter the stadium was the sister of Zeus: Hestia. During this period sports were both viewed as a function of religion and entertainment for men and Greek men only, with the one exception.

Sport in Ancient Rome was also reserved for men and where they engaged in many of the same sports. However, while wrestling and races were practiced Roman gladiatorial combat seems to have been the most popular sporting event. This kind of live combat that aloud criminals, slaves, and war prisoners to fight for their freedom in the arena with humans and animal created amusement that was unmatched. As National Geographic points out in Gladiator Training, Gladiators were “caged performing animals”, meaning these individuals were under lockdown and forced to constantly train for such quote on quote games.  During this events the fighters’ well being was never much of a concern; rather the audience was focused on the thrill and excitement that these matches created. Which in some ways is consistent in sports even today, when we look at contact sports such as football or hockey much of the same callousness is still evident. For example, when a player from the opposing side gets injured it is common to see fans celebrate. Last year Kansas City fans even cheered when their own quarterback: Matt Cassel got injured, because of their own team’s poor play. All of which is extremely interesting because these acts highlight the barbaric nature of humans that exists even today, even when we continually try our best to argue otherwise.

Sport, Society, & Me

I grew up playing sports, like most kids I engaged in a range of sports, I played peewee baseball, soccer, tennis, and even tried track; I was interested in any activity in which I could exert my energy. In high school I joined the rugby team where we later won a state championship, which is a memory and achievement that I will never forget. For me sports have been a source of exercise, a way to relieve stress, an outlet for my competitive nature, but most importantly it has been an activity for enjoyment. In addition to this, sports have given me another family; regardless of race, religion, class, or creed sports has emphasized the value of unity and support on and off the field. Aside from playing sports, they have always served as entertainment that have and continue to bring my family and friends together. Sunday is day where we all get together to watch the Broncos; it is a routine that I love and cherish.

However, It is important to note that sports provide both a positive and negative role in U.S. culture and around the world for that matter. Sports reinforce values of dedication, perseverance, and teamwork, which are all beneficial, however, by the same token sports can also create tension and animosity amongst players and fans. The recent incident that occurred in the NFC championship game involving Richard Sherman and Michael Crabtree highlights many of the issues that sports can create. Within the twittersphere there has been a lot of racial backlash that has been directed towards Sherman as a result of his post game comments. This underlines the hostility and violence that sports create. Prior to Sherman’s comments he was regarded at the best corner in the league, however, recent narratives have tried to deem him as a “thug” given his African American background and or undermine not only his physical talent but also his character. This is one example that highlights the presence of racism and hostility as well as the small triggers that create such negative reactions within the sports world. 

The Sport Ethic

Sports Ethic is the standard that defines what Hughes and Coakley refer to as a “real athlete”. They are the player norms that push for success. The sports ethic is made up of four points: 1) Making sacrifices for “the game”, 2) Striving for distinction, 3) Accepting risks and playing through pain, and 4) Refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibility.

These dimensions are believed to be the standard for success; they are the keys that are required. These are the phrases we hear when we talk about past champions, and it is because of this that athletes have and continue to adopt and carry out such beliefs. Through out my athletics I can honestly say that these are all values that we preached and had to execute in order to achieve our goal. I switched positions, played with various injuries, and had to push and overcome both mental and physical limitations to do so.

I believe that each dimension of the sports ethic highlights the relentless drive that is needed in order to achieve the results that are desired. Ronda Rousey, Michael Jordon, Usain Bolt, and Lindsey Vonn are only a few of the many athletes who have proven that such measures are needed in order to succeed. In addition, if we look at football players and the frequent incidents of concussions with the mounting evidence of long-term effects such as early dementia we see that such athletes still are willing to put their bodies at risk in pursuit of glory. This is true for sports across the board, as the X-Games start up this week each of the athletes competing are taking a risk, some more than others, all in effort to achieve greatness and to be the best. Caleb Moore was professional snowmobiler that died last year in the X-Games, however, this year, old and new riders including his younger brother still continue to push the limits. Which, has proven it’s justice, his brother Colton Moore just won gold in Freestyle Thursday January 24^th 2014, one year since the death of his brother from an injury in the same event. This underlines the fact that even in the face of fear, injury, and death, athletes will continue to take on such dangers in the effort to progress their sport and achieve their goals.

Sport(s) in the USA

Sports in America dominate the spotlight. Major sports in the U.S. include baseball, football, basketball, and hockey, which are followed religiously by fans.  All of these sports are team based and reinforce values of competitiveness, sportsmanship, camaraderie, and leadership all of which are the core principles that American culture is built on.

Sports are a daily headlining topic. Fans have a deep connection with their teams to such a degree that a teams success or lack there of dictates peoples moods and behaviors. It is for this reason that game day in the U.S. is a huge deal; it is an event that fans look forward to all week. For example, Sunday has become synonymous with “football”; it is the day that brings people together and makes cheap beer and hotdogs taste amazing. Game day is all about team spirit, which has the ability to both unify and divide people. Therefore, typically anyone one who is a supporter of the other team is immediately deemed the enemy, which brings on inevitable trash talking usually in light-hearted sense before the game and less so after the game.

Many Americans would say that what defines a successful athlete is their physical talent, work ethic, commitment, and accountability. These play an obvious role for sure, however there are also many other factors that play into an athlete’s success. From an athletic standpoint, the other players that surround the athlete and the coaching that they have access to can also play a part in an individual’s success- because let’s be honest in the US winning in the end is all that matters. As from a financial standpoint, success can be determined by their likability and physical attraction, as these characteristics bring in sponsors and endorsements from outside sources.