The NFL and the NBA are two of
the “big four” sports in America, along with baseball and hockey making up the
remaining two spots.
With the recent news as reported
by ESPN
that former University of Missouri linebacker, now NFL hopeful, Michael Sam is
gay, and Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player who recently signed with
the Brooklyn Nets, it seems that sexual preference has become a hot button
topic. But should it be?
Sports are about bringing
together the best athletes, at each position, to play together to achieve a
common goal. In the NBA, it is the Larry O’Brien trophy, which is awarded to
the NBA Champions at the conclusion of the NBA Finals. In the NFL, it is the
Lombardi Trophy given to the winner of the Superbowl.
These two trophies are the entire
reason that athletes kill themselves in the weight room and on the court or
field - to be world champions.
As of late, ESPN and several
other sports entities have covered these two athletes and their personal life
preferences with extreme detail.
While the athletes are representatives
of the organizations they play for, certain aspects of their life should not matter
or play into the decisions that are made by the coaches and the general
managers.
Would you all of a sudden not
like a hall of fame caliber player simply because he or she is gay?
In sports, the only thing that
matters at the end of the day is whether the athlete in question can help the
team win a game and ultimately a championship for the franchise. Michael Sam 2013 SEC Co-Defensive player of the year, these
are the reasons that you add players to your roster not because of their endeavors
off the field.
It's particularly interesting to me that this discussion is not happening with female athletes. If a professional, amateur, Olympic, or otherwise noted female athlete come out as homosexual, the sports world somehow keeps spinning. It's a shame that the double standard between genders has created a media whirlwind in which the majority of questions asked about Michael Sam have little to do with his defensive prowess and more to do with his off-the-field life. For all the ways men's sports exceed women's in popularity or profit-generation, the ladies own the floor when it comes to tolerance and reaction to gay athletes.
ReplyDeleteBeing gay or straight should in no way hinder an individuals ability to be successful in the sport he or she aspires to play. But, the success you have highlighted is not individual success. Winning the Larry O'Brien or the Lombardi can not be done by one individual alone. It takes a team. A different type of team. A team that knows how to work together unselfishly toward an ultimate goal. And, coaches know just that. Coaches try to put together a team that not only work towards the ultimate goal for self satisfaction; but more so a team that works towards that goal to see the guy next to him feel joy in success. The issue with having a gay individual on a team appeals when one player, just one, displays prejudice towards that athlete. Its been said a thousand times, 'if one link in the chain is weak, the chain itself becomes frail."
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic, I do believe that it is a hot topic right now. Why? I am not sure. I do not believe that sexuality should be such a big thing. Whether someone is heterosexual, homosexual, bi-curious, or etc, should not matter. They are living their life the way they want to. I agree with Joana, it's not as big of a deal with female athletes as it is with male athletes and I believe it's just a closed minded situation. Males tend to not take the news of homosexuality as well as females. It all goes back to upbringing and environment. If everyone says it is wrong the majority will continue to follow and believe that it is wrong. If it is accepted by most then it will be tolerated my the rest. That should not be the way of society but it is.
ReplyDeleteThe sexuality of a player does not hinder the level at witch the player performs. As Joanna mentioned, it is interesting to me that the male dominated sports are the sports that are under a microscope regarding this issue. I think that the sexuality of a player should not effect the public's view of that athlete. I applaud the athletes that are proud of who they are as a person and I will give respect where respect is due.... I respect the players for who they are and more importantly I respect them for their talent. Who cares about their sexuality?
ReplyDeleteBeing gay should not matter in sports. It does not determine how good an athlete is but of course people today are quick to judge. Everybody will have their own personal opinion on the athletes but overall it should not matter. I do agree that this discussion is bigger in male athletes than in female athletes but the thing I find the most interesting is the need for male athletes to come out and let the public know. Things seem to be fine until male athletes such as Michael Sam and Jason Collins had to come out and openly let everyone know there business which then lead to everyone giving their opinion about it. Though it should not matter and should not change fans opinions about their favorite players, in the end it does.
ReplyDeleteIt shouldnt matter who you love its about your actions on the field/court/ring/etc. What I want to know is what does sexuality have to do with sports anyway. Its not like there having sex in the middle of the game or something. The talent of the player is what should be focused on. Sexuality is the big topic because its not the norm. Even though there should be no such thing as "normal" because at the end of the day nobody is normal. Its just the stereotypes of today that keeps us from moving passed stupid small thing when other things are more important.
ReplyDelete