Bigger, Stronger, Faster

     The number of advocates and opponents for the current ban of steroids in sport is many and each side possesses an extensive list of reasons in support for its position. Those in support of the ban often argue that to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) goes against good ethics as it is a form of cheating, children/young people are influenced to use substances they have no knowledge about because they are highly impressionable, and they are dangerous potentially putting athletes at higher risk for injury and death (Reardon & Creado, 2014, pg. 98-101). Additional arguments made include the innate unfairness of PEDS, which is heightened when it is considered that not everyone has access to their benefits (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 667-668). Ultimately, the World Anti-Doping Agency seeks to eliminate the use of illegal drugs that are performance enhancing, health risks, and violations to the "celebration of the human spirit, body, and mind" - also known as the "spirit of sport" (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). 

      As that list goes on, rebuttals in favor of the use of PEDs in sport are made and are just as extensive. This list generally begins with the fact that a number of elite athletes are using illegal drugs/cheating, thus in order to achieve a level playing field and a competitive atmosphere, one must take PEDs to keep up and push further (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). Not only do athletes often feel forced to take steroids in order to stay on track with other athletes, but also in order to attain greater levels of personal success, which is often the driving force in any highly performing athlete. An interesting argument made in favor of PEDs is that their use is, "Far from being against the spirit of body, [because] biological manipulation embodies the human spirit - the capacity to improve ourselves on the basis of reason and judgment" (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 667). This suggests that the creativity of humankind should be able to biologically influence sport to a greater degree than it already does. Furthermore, as medicine improves, it is becoming increasingly difficult to detect and therefore monitor drug use in sport, so removing the ban would eradicate the massive amount of money spent attempting to create this technology as well as administering the extensive tests (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 666). The argument that PEDs are unsafe to athletes is rebutted in a number of ways, including the proposition that if PEDs were legalized, the focus would shift from escaping detection to improving the safety of the drug (Savulescu, Foddy, & Clayton, 2011, pg. 668). Though that is speculation, it is made on rather solid grounds considering the amount of research, time and resources put into hiding drug use. 

     This topic of PEDs in sport is the focus of the documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster, which shows both sides of the argument in attempt for a man to understand his stance against the use of steroids. In this movie, the men and women shown take steroids for a number of reasons including compensation for shortcomings, improve functional and aesthetic musculature, health reasons, and influence from the competitive American culture. Bell challenges the dominant ideas around steroids by interviewing a number of people involved in sport and steroid use. He addresses the common belief that steroids are dangerous for a number of health reasons, but finds that a number of highly accredited health professionals deny that misconception and even finds that some support the use of steroids. Another interesting topic he tackled is the double standard of drug use by adults, despite the claim that "steroids aren't for kids." He does not understand how his little brother is a huge advocate for steroids, yet lies to the young men he coaches by denying his usage, because of the association between steroids and cheating. 

     Though I understand the arguments made in favor of allowing PEDs in sport because a number of athletes are already using and the eradication of the ban would potentially level the playing field, I still think that the ban is necessary. I found the movie insightful, but it did not affect my personal position much because I found myself imagining the same guilt Bell felt after taking steroids. PEDs are so deeply engrained in me as a way of cheating, which is why I do not think I could ever accept their use in sports.

Works Cited

Bell, C. (2008). Bigger stronger faster [Motion picture]. USA: Magnolia Home Entertainment.

Reardon, C. L., & Creado, S. (2014). Drug abuse in athletes. Substance Abuse & Rehabilitation, (5)95-105. doi:10.2147/SAR.S53784

Savulescu, J., Foddy, B., & Clayton, M. (2011). Why we should allow performance enhancing drugs in sport. Br J Sport Med, (38) 666-670. doi: 10.1136

 

Crime and Punishment

      In February 2014, NFL player, Ray Rice, physically assaulted then-fiance (now wife) Janay Rice in a casino elevator. When word of this got out, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, issued Rice a two game suspension for the 2014-2015 season. Some believed this punishment to be minimal, but it was not until video of the beating surfaced and became viral that extreme public outcry came. Following this uproar, Goodell issued a public statement saying that he had made the wrong decision the first time, which generated his revision of domestic violence policies (Zirin, 2014a). The release of this video also led to Rice's dismissal from the Baltimore Ravens. This incident, by no means, was an isolated case, but rather is reflective of broader trends in US sport - or at least that is what the media wants the American public to believe.
     Recent studies have found that the rate of arrests for professional athletes regarding domestic violence/assault is less than half of the general population's rate and DUI rates are about half that of the rate for all young men in their 20's (Keane, 2013). Those number clearly indicate that professional athletes have reduced arrest rates for certain crimes, however the media makes it seem as though athletes are always getting in criminal trouble because it broadcasts every instance of crime. With that in mind, one must imagine if every crime across the nation was broadcasted, which is nearly unfathomable, if not completely beyond belief. The messages and values conveyed by these media representations are that athletes can not possibly separate their on-field lives and off-field lives, resulting in a violent and criminal nature.
     A 2011 study found that the most common arrests with NFL, MLB, and NBA athletes are domestic violence/sexual assault, illegal possession of weapons and drugs/DUIs (Administration, 2011). Based on my own extrapolation of those trends, I think that there is an explanation behind those tendencies. Team sports, by nature, tend to rely more on contact or brute force than individual sports and activities that one might partake in extracurricularly. For this reason, I do not find it all that surprising that of arrests made in those three sports, domestic violence and sexual assault cases are among the highest rates. These athletes are conditioned to be highly aggressive in an intense situation (a game) so when an intense situation occurs off the field, some must revert to handling the situation in a way that is most familiar to them. Additionally, in rookie and player development programs, women are often not talked about as equals, but instead as a threat to players who will try to get impregnated by the athletes or make sexual assault claims (Zirin, 2014b). The conversation of women objectifies the gender, leading to decreased respect, which may explain the tendency of sexual assault.  As for the illegal possession of weapons, I might explain this by the financial status of most professional athletes, or at least how they are made out to be by the media. Athletes tend to be well-off, by most standards, though not all are multi-millionaires, which causes them to feel as though they need an increased level of personal and familial protection, resulting in the purchase of weapons. Again, that is speculation, but if that is the case, then it could explain the number of illegal possession of weapons charges made to this group of people. Finally, the drug/DUI charges can be explained in part by financial situations, but perhaps more by the feeling of invincibility athletes receive from playing sports from a young age and being highly successful at what the American public deems extremely important.  

Administration. (2011, April 4). Crime Rates in Pro Sports. Retrieved from http://www.uscollegesearch.org/blog/resource-articles/criminal-justice-info/crime-rates-in-pro-sports

Keane, T. (2013, July 2). The myth about crime and pro athletes - The Boston Globe. Retrieved November 21, 2014, from http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/07/01/the-myth-about-crime-and-pro-athletes/qlnKoSMkbhuImiS4pO87WJ/story.html

Zirin, D. (2014a, August 19). Here's What Happens When an NFL Player Beats His Fiancée Unconscious. Retrieved from http://www.edgeofsports.com/2014-08-09-940/index.html

Zirin, D. (2014b, September 5). Yes, I 'Question the NFL's Commitment' to Being a Force Against Domestic Violence. Retrieved from http://www.edgeofsports.com/2014-09-01-950/index.html

Is Sport a Safe Place for LGBT Athletes?

     In recent years, a lot of ground has been gained to make sport a safe environment for LGBT athletes, however to currently identify it as a "safe" place would be a stretch. Although more support for the LGBT community is being found throughout athletics and society, many athletes still have troubles feeling comfortable in their own skin and coming to terms with their sexuality. NBA center Jason Collins came out in 2013 and detailed his experience in an article published in Sports Illustrated. Collins has a twin, who is also in the NBA, and he first realized he was different from his twin just before his teen years, as he could not identify with his brother's attraction to girls. It was not until he was 33 that he came out for the first time, which was in confidence to his aunt who revealed that she knew for years of his sexual orientation, she just also knew that he needed to come to terms with it before addressing it. In 2012, Collins decided he was finally ready to come out to the public when the Boston Marathon bombing made him realize, "Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?" (Collins, 2013). However, Collins decided that he would wait until the end of the 2012 season to go public with his announcement because he made a commitment to his team and did not want his personal life to interfere with his athletics, which is probably an attitude shared amongst many LGBT athletes. 

     Collins also touched base on the stereotype that gay players must be "soft"; he quickly identified himself as a example against that common misconception as he is known to be an aggressive player on court. He attributes that feature of his game to his desire to win and do everything he can to help the team and mentioned that he hopes after making this announcement that players will not see him differently on the court, in the locker room, or outside the basketball world. That concern is legitimate as others' perceptions of one's sexual orientation is often the reason that individual works so hard to hide the truth and once ready to face the truth, he/she must learn how to actually handle the attitudes of those around them. Many LGBT athletes have identified the loss of support from teammates and the public as one of the most troubling barriers preventing them from coming out during their careers, as well as the fear of being "ambushed" via social media and "humiliated" on camera (Zirin, 2014, pg. 13). 

     Near the end of his article, Collins states that we are living in a more accepting time, but there is still a ways to go and that everyone has the power to take action. This idea is shared by the You Can Play Project, which is an organization who mission is to "Ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation" (Mission Statement, 2014). This program appreciates the recent support from professional athletes of all sports leagues and their public statements addressing such support, as it positively impacts locker rooms and every other sporting realm (Price, 2014). I can see why the announcement of professional athletes' support for the LGBT community has such a great influence on society and I think that it has the ability to shift the attitudes of those who follow and participate in sports. 

     Statistically, I am not sure if certain sports/standards of competition are safer than others for LGBT athletes, however being a collegiate athlete, I have what I consider a good understanding of which sports are and are not inclusive. I have noticed that women's sports tend to be more accepting of LGBT athletes, a trend that I also observe in professional athletics. Additionally, I have noticed a drastic shirt in attitudes between my high school and college careers; collegiate athletes are much more supportive of LGBT athletes and non-athletes, which I attribute to the greater self-confidence most achieve during their college years both in sexual orientation and attitudes regarding such issues. Softball has been stereotyped as a lesbian sport, a tag that I have also heard placed on women's basketball, and though I disagree with coining any sport as such because it is done in a disrespectful manner, I do believe that both sports provide very safe environments for LGBT athletes. Due to this "safe" environment, I have found that LGBT athletes have an easier time coming out to teammates in these sports, which I admire and hope spreads throughout the sporting world because not only does it provide a better culture for the LGBT community, but it also teaches those outside the community.

Works Cited

Collins, Jason. (2013, April 29). Why NBA center Jason Collins is Coming Out Now. Sports Illustrated.

"Mission Statement." You Can Play Project. You Can Play, 2014. Web.<http://youcanplayproject.org/pages/mission-statement>.

Price, N. (2014, January 8). National Hockey League Becomes First With All-Team Support For Gay Athletes And Fans Through You Can Play. PR Newswire US.

ZIRIN, D. (2014). THE LGBT MOVEMENT TAKES AIM AT SOCHI. (Cover story). Nation, 298(6), 12-17.

Hoop Dreams: Is sport a viable way out of poverty?

     Hoop Dreams is a documentary following two 14 year old, Chicago-native boys throughout their high school experiences. Both are identified as potentially star basketball talents and the movie details the differences between the two paths they go down. At the start of the film, both William and Arthur say that the NBA is their dream and once they make it, the first thing they would do is buy their moms a new house and get themselves cars. In support of their sons' dreams and the potential to make it big, both families put the boys' basketball careers first and in Arthur's case, this actually means that his mom could not put food on the table at times because she had to pay off his debt to St. Joseph's. For William, basketball brought he and his brother, who missed his shot at collegiate and professional hoops, together, but by the end of the film, it is revealed that William did not appreciate his brother living through him vicariously and that he actually lost most of his passion for the sport due to the intense culture at St. Joe's.
     A high school talent scout finds both boys prior to entering their freshmen year of high school and brings them to St. Joseph's, a private school in a seemingly affluent suburb. On his way to visit the school for the first time, Arthur vocalizes his concern regarding a mostly white school in a nice neighborhood and how he will not know how to act. For this reason, both boys were shy and perceived as quiet upon their arrival to St. Joe's, especially in the classroom because they were far behind their peers. Arthur's feeling of being an outsider potentially foreshadows his ultimate fate at the school as one study found, "[…] Proximity [to one's hometown] may increase recruit performance by facilitating learning, trust-building, and social commitment," all factors that Arthur failed to posses (Barden, 2013). As William lived up to the hype on court, he was treated as an asset to the school and in return received a full scholarship when his family was in financial trouble and he was at risk of dropping out. With this guaranteed educational stability, William started to do better in the classroom, ultimately making him a realistic collegiate recruit. Additionally, the wealthy, white couple that provided William with academic financial support also gave him a summer job in order to contribute to his and his family's incomes. Unfortunately, Arthur did not live up to his athletic potential while at St. Joe's and when his family got in financial trouble, the school did not offer the same help and he was forced out of the private institution.
     West Garfield and the neighborhood around St. Joseph's appear to be polar opposites in terms of socio-economic status. Gang activity and drug deals seemed to be omnipresent in West Garfield as shady activity was often seen on screen, however when the neighborhood around St. Joe's was shown, it tended to just be nice houses with nobody walking around. In West Garfield, no houses were seen, but instead rundown apartments, stores and basketball courts. Based on the contrast between these two areas, it should be clear to every viewer that the class identities are extremely different and that West Garfield residents do not have bright futures, while those around St. Joe's are seemingly successful. Additionally, the people in these two areas are shown dressed extremely differently as all the adults around St. Joe's are shown in standard business attire at all times, while those in West Garfield are seen wearing worn down clothes or shirtless.
     This film had me feeling optimistic that these two boys would achieve their dreams due to the build up and the hardships they seemingly overcame, but the end did not fulfill my expectations to the degree I would have liked and after further research, I sadly learned that neither made it to the NBA. However, I think it is inspirational that both William and Arthur received degrees from four year colleges despite their respective difficulties. Hoop Dreams definitely made me reconsider the idea of sport as a passport out of poverty because although it worked out, to a degree, for these two players, both lost a lot on the way and it became apparent that not all good talent receives the same opportunities. The apparent emphasis on education seemed to offer both guidance they needed and in both cases, basketball was their reason to continue putting in some sort of effort to school, which absolutely contributes to potentially escaping poverty.

Works Cited

Barden, J. Q., Bluhm, D. J., Mitchell, T. R., & Lee, T. W. (2013). Hometown Proximity, Coaching Change, and the Success of College Basketball Recruits. Journal Of Sport Management, 27(3), 230-246.