Every big-time professional sports organization has figurative bodies buried, closeted skeletons, secrets hidden, and scandals waiting to be exposed.
Every one.
Major League Baseball has a laundry list of transgressions, the last being the so-called “Steroid Era.” Racist owners, racist executives and playoff games being fixed by refs have all rocked the National Basketball Association in the past decade. The National Hockey League had “Operation Slapshot.”
The National Football League is no different, and that is not even including the much-publicized saga involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.
What started out as a matter involving Ray Rice allegedly knocking his then-fiancee unconscious at an Atlantic City casino in February has become the biggest story in North American professional sports. Allegations of what was known by whom and when that information was made available to certain NFL personnel have turned a domestic violence incident into a storyline straight out of Law & Order.
Aug 4, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Fans celebrate after Manchester United defeated Liverpool 3-1 at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
A growing trend that has been established on social media websites such as Twitter over the past several years has been American soccer fans hitting out at the NFL whenever dark clouds cover the landscape of pro football. These responses stem from feelings of inadequacy and jealousy that build up inside of individuals who belong to a forgotten sect of sports supporters.
Despite the fact that soccer grows in popularity in the United States each year, the sport largely remains an afterthought amongst American media. When SportsCenter anchors aren’t tripping over themselves during Champions League previews, they are taking slight digs at Major League Soccer fans leading up to a New York Red Bulls vs. DC United match in-between hours upon hours of NFL coverage.
One doesn’t need to be pro-soccer or anti-NFL to feel outrage over the Ray Rice matter. Soccer fans believing and/or hoping that Rice’s crime brings the NFL down to its knees would do well to look no further than to the Good Book for instruction:
“First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Being a diehard soccer fans involves ignoring the corruption that infects the game at a global level. Dirty money is routinely exchanged. Game outcomes are decided before first kicks are taken. Athletes are put at risk because managers care more about winning than they do about the well-being of a player.
Take the concussion issue. Álvaro Pereira, Javier Mascherano, Pablo Zabeleta and Christoph Kramer all played through potentially serious head injuries during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Each of them would have been sidelined for weeks — weeks — if they were NFL, college football or high school football players.
Racism remains a mainstay in the world’s game. Players, fans, and managers from all over the world seem unable to avoid engaging in racist behavior on a yearly basis. It’s gotten to the point where racism-in-soccer stories have become as common as hourly weather reports.
Fancy a bit of gender discrimination and sexism? Have I got the sport for you! The top female soccer players on the planet have been informed that the 2015 FIFA World Cup will be played on artificial turf despite the well-known negative effects such plastic pitches can have on bodies.
You haven’t been forgotten about, MLS fans. The North American top-flight happily accepted a reported $80 million of $100 million from City Football Group, owners of Manchester City, for the rights to MLS expansion side New York City Football Club despite real human rights and gay rights concerns that swirl over the heads of those in control of CFG.
Players and coaches fixing matches. Fan attacks rooted in anti-Semitism. The 2022 World Cup being bought by awarded to Qatar, and the subsequent deaths of workers building new venues.
So much for a “beautiful game.”
That video featuring Ray Rice, a 5-foot-8 and 212-pound running back, throwing a left-hook haymaker that knocked his female victim out cold elicits disgust, anger and maybe even a little hatred. Anybody, from those within the Ravens front office to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, should be bounced from the league ASAP if it is learned that one or more of those individuals took part in a cover-up.
That said, the Ray Rice debacle is not a reason to boycott the NFL anymore than the existence of FIFA is a reason to ignore the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS or international competitions such as the World Cup. Football isn’t for everybody. Neither is soccer. Follow and support what you will. Enjoy what you like.
Demand better from sports organizations.
Demand that victims like Janay Rice be cared for by organizations such as the NFL. Demand for more transparency from the NFL, MLS, FIFA and others. Demand that those who would dare violate society’s laws be brought to justice and, in some cases, be expelled from professional sports.
Give up on the NFL?
Sure, but only when you’re willing to toss out every other top-tier sports league along with it.