Reaction to Ethical Issue: Should the media be allowed into the personal lives of athletes?

On Monday Nick and Shaun gave a presentation on the issue of media intruding into the personal lives of athletes. I thought they did a really good job of educating the class about the issue and providing some very good examples, where the media had effected the lives of professional athletes (Alex Rodriguez, Sean Avery).

When I think about the issue I only see an ethical dilemma, but not a legal issue. Although intruding into the personal lives of athletes seems like a unethical thing to do their is currently no laws to prevent the media from doing so. When an athlete is at a game, or out in public, they're fair game to the media frenzy of paparazzi's. The only legal issue that presents itself is when members of the media break the law in order to get a picture. Things like trespassing, breaking and entering, or harassing. If athletes want their privacy than they probably picked the wrong profession.

I think its unfortunate that the media has the ability, and the right, to intrude into the lives of professional athletes but I believe that its a burden that comes with the territory, so to speak. As long as the public is interested with the lives of athletes the media will continue to poke and prod into their personal lives.

Record Setting Weekend

In a weekend that seemed to be relatively uneventful, except for the 9th inning rally by those damn Yankees, a lot of players managed to earn their place in the record books.

Starting in Tennessee Chris Johnson set the franchise record for rushing yards in a single game with 228. Johnson had TD runs of 89 and 52 yards, while Jags RB Maurice-Jones Drew had TD runs of 79 and 80 yards, and the two combined to set an NFL record for 4 rushing TD of more than 50 yards in one game. The first time in NFL history

Heading further North to Giants Stadium, where the Jets and Dolphins played on Sunday, two more records were broken. My boy Teddy, Ball Game, Ginn Jr. ran his way into the NFL record books with 2 kickoff returns for TD's in the 3rd quarter. Ginn became the first player in NFL history with 2 TD's returns, of any kind, for at least 100 yards. Ginn is also 2nd in NFL history for return yards in a single game with 299. Jason Taylor also set the NFL record for fumble recoveries returned for a TD in a career, with 6.

Back to that Phils and Yankees series. Alex Rodriguez is now tied for the most RBI's in Yankee history, for a single postseason, with 15. Odds are, A rod will break that mark before the series is over. He is also only 4 RBI's behind the MLB record for RBI's in a single postseason, set by Sandy Alomar Jr.in 1997. Two other players have since reached the feet.

I could be missing a few records from the weekend, but those are the ones that I can recall from memory, and by watching Sportcenter this morning. Since we talk about the history of sport in this class, I thought it was fitting to make note of some record setting accomplishments from the weekend.

Ty Cobb

After today's class, which touched on Ty Cobb, I couldn't help but dig a little deeper, and find a few articles on one of the games greatest players (and biggest asses). Dr. Spencer mentioned the recognition that was given to him by ESPN, as SportCentury athlete No. 20, and I was able to find an article on Cobb from ESPN. He was a pain ... but a great pain, was written by Larry Schwartz, it is an article that documents Cobb's career, both on and off the field. It was written for ESPN at the time when Cobb was named SportCentury athlete No. 20.

Schwartz starts his article by saying: "It's difficult to tell which is longer -- the list of records Ty Cobb left shattered when he retired from baseball, or the stories of his nastiness." His article goes on to explain some of the altercations and "black eyes", so to speak, of Cobb's off the field resume. But Schwartz praises Cobb's ability as an on the field player, listing a handful of accomplishments and record setting achievements.

I've always had a respect for Ty Cobb the player, how couldn't you? But I've always had second thoughts about him as a person. However, after reading the article by Schwartz I really understand just how impressive Cobb's on the field achievements were. For those of you who aren't familiar with some of Cobb's accomplishments here they are, courtesy of Larry Schwartz:

• He led the American League in slugging percentage and hits eight times

Steals 6

Runs 5

Triples and RBI 4

Doubles 3

HR once

• Three times he batted above .400 and in one four-year span he averaged .401
• 892 career stolen bases
• Owned the career hit record at 4,191 until Pete Rose (57 years later)
• Cobb won the Triple Crown in 1909
• 1911 Al MVP
• In 1936, in the first balloting for the Hall of Fame, Cobb received the most votes (222 of 226), outpolling Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.

Cobb's list of accomplishments, in my opinion, is even more impressive than Babe Ruth, who almost everyone believes was the greatest baseball player of that era. Based only on statistics I would have to say that Ty Cobb was a better baseball player than Babe Ruth. Only his behavior on and off the field can be held responsible for the lack of this recognition.

On a final note, Schwartz indicates that after Cobb's passing, in 1961, "only 4 people from baseball attended his funeral." A travesty to a man who contributed so much to the sport, but an action by his teammates and opponents that speak volumes about his behavior as a person.

References:

Schwartz, L. (n.d.). He was a pain ... but a great pain. Retrieved October 26, 2009, from http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014142.html

Jack Johnson

I was on ESPN this morning and happened to stumble upon an article from Outside the Lines. The title quickly caught my attention, Posthumous Pardon sought for Johnson. The Johnson referenced in this case was Jack Johnson. According to Rader, Jack Johnson had been the heavyweight champion between 1908 and 1915(p 147). "Few, if any, blacks were as well known or had infused blacks with greater pride than Jack Johnson (Rader, p 147)." Johnson was a great fighter who was able to break color barriers in the world of boxing and equal rights.

According the the OTL article, written by the AP, "Johnson was convicted in 1913 of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral purposes. He fled the country after his conviction, but agreed years later to return and serve a 10-month jail sentence." Many people believe that Johnson was targeted by authorities because of his success as a black man. His career as a boxer was controversial, and many whites detested his behavior and wealth. His promiscuous relationships with women, white women in particular, are believed to be the reason for his incarceration.

Posthumous Pardon sought for Johnson addresses the issue of a presidential pardon for the heavyweight champion Johnson. In fact, legislation has been in the works since early April on this issue, but the House and Senate are still awaiting word from President Obama. Sen. John McCain has been extremely outspoken on this issue. His interest no likely stems from his involvement in boxing as a young man.

However humanitarian this may seem, I think I understand why President Obama is hesitant to grant Johnson a pardon. Throughout history presidential pardons of the dead have been rare, and in this case I feel like Johnson deserves a pardon. But from President Obama's perspective their is much more than the issue of Johnson reputation. As the first black President, Obama has been under pressure to rewrite history or change the past, when it comes to African Americans. By carefully weighing each side of action, Obama is exploring the residual effects that would result from a pardon. While exonerating Johnson appears to be the right thing to do, I can't help but wonder if Obama is worried about establishing a reputation of sympathetic action towards black Americans in history.

References:

Posthumous pardon sought for Johnson. (2008, October 16). Retrieved October 17, 2009, from http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4565549

Rader, B. G. (2008). American sports from the age of folk games to the age of televised Sports (6th ed., pp. 147-150). NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Sept. 20

This might seem a little off topic but after watching Saturday nights fight between Mayweather and Marquez, I couldn't help but think about how the sport of boxing has fallen. What was once one of the most popular sporting pastimes, is now becoming a "private" sport, so to speak. No longer a matches televised on cable T.V. The only place viewers can watch a prime-time fight is on Payperiew. I think this is one of the main reasons that boxing has lost its popularity.

I'm sure their are some other factors that have contributed to the sports demise but I believe that its lack of availability to the public is largely responsible. In the golden years of boxing, fights could be found on basic television channels, for all who had a television to see. Lately, however, the high profile fights are only available on Payperview channels. For the common fan its sometimes hard to afford these fights. And now, with the extreme popularity of the UFC and mixed martial arts fighting, boxing is facing some fierce competition.

Even though high profile fights are still bringing in plenty of cash, and the athletes themselves too, the sport of boxing seems to be taking a hard hit. As a fan of boxing its hard to watch a sport filled with such a rich history and tradition lose its popularity.

Sept. 15

I came across this article on ESPN, and the timing really couldn't be better. Have a look for yourself, its pretty short and sweet:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4474771

I thought it was interesting that these legal battles have been continuing for such a long time. I also found it interesting that the American Indian group had their original ruling defeated because they took to long to bring their case to suit. I think that if the original court ruled in their favor, than the defense would need overwhelming evidence in order to overturn the verdict. It sounds to me like these judges have been throwing the Redskins a bone, or perhaps they've been in their pocket the whole time. I think it shows what really motivates people, MONEY. The fact that a legal technicality has allowed, and continue to allow, an entire group of people to be made a mockery is shameful.

I also found some of the comments on the article interesting as well. Granted their were about 150 others that were less than educated responses. It seems that the majority of sports fans are not educated on the subject and form ignorant opinions without the facts or research. After reading some of the comments I definitely feel differently on the subject than I did yesterday. Native Americans have become a sort of forgotten people. The only time we pay particular attention to them is when an issues like this occurs. I'm all for changing the names of sports teams, or mascots, on a case-by-case basis. I can see why Native Americans have been offended.

Intro

I suppose I should start things off by introducing myself, so here it goes.

My name is Cody, I'm 21 years old and am a senior here at Bowling Green. Unfortunately I won't be a graduating senior but I'm trying to avoid talking about that. I transfered here to Bowling Green last year from community college. Before that I went to Kent State and even Toledo for all of 4 days. It's been a long and twisted road, but I'm glad that I've ended up at BG.

I'm studying sports management, which is one of the reasons I chose BG, and am specializing in Sports Enterprise. I've really enjoyed my time here in BG, and in the program thus far. After I graduate (whenever that may be) I hope to find a job working as an athletic director. I would prefer to work a the high school level but definitely wouldn't be opposed to the collegiate level.

I've played sports for my entire life. Ever since I was young I've played baseball. It was my first sport and I definitely consider it my favorite. I played a little football in high school but ultimately I decided to focus on baseball because I believed I had a chance at playing in college. Unfortunately things didn't work out and I've attributed some of the blame to the athletic department of my high school, which is the primary reason for my desired future career.

On a more painful note, I'm a diehard Cleveland fan. Browns, Indians, and Cavs. Unfortunately I am old enough to remember the heartache of the 95 and 97 Indians teams, and the memories still keep me awake some nights. I've also been exposed, through my dad and ESPN Classic, to every other fabled title attempt by Cleveland franchises in the last 50 years. The Fumble, The Drive, The Shot, all have a special place engraved in my mind.

I'm also a huge College Football fan. I'm extremely excited for Saturday to get here! I lied to my boss so I can have Saturdays off, so if any one visits Ponderosa in Fremont...you don't know me, alright?

I'm a huge Buckeye fan and will defend them to the death. I've had some trouble coping with the big game losses the last couple of years but thats why God made Jack Daniels, right? Just kidding. I love my Buckeyes and am never afraid to sport my OSU gear. I'm also really excited for Bowling Green to start their season. Having transfered so much in my collegiate career I haven't been able to enjoy a good college football season as a student. Unfortunately I won't be in the Doyt tomorrow for the home opener but I plan on attending my fair share of games this year.

As far as this class is concerned, I'm really looking forward to it. I've heard good things about the class and am excited to get into some good discussions. I hope that I can walk away from this class with a slightly different outlook out sports, at least a more educated one.

Can't think of much more to say at the moment, but stay tuned I'll try to keep this exciting.

"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision."

- Muhammad Ali