By: Tracey Roberts
Changing Our Narrative
I was sitting in a training seminar at work, and I just happened to look up at a television monitor and noticed the headline, “Violent brawl breaks out in Thursday’s night game.” I never see the same headlines when there’s a fight in hockey. Is it boys will be boys when it comes to fighting in hockey? Why does that sport get a pass for its violent nature?
Violence seems to be encouraged in that sport. Or is it simply just physical play? That’s not a sport where timid play is acceptable. You need to be fast, aggressive and have the finesse of a figure skater. I’m not sure if the NHL has the same unsportsmanlike conduct clause in their contracts equivalent to the NFL. The clear message after the game and all day Friday was a violent brawl took place on the field and Myles Garrett likewise will be forever attached to a violent brawl. He might as well have a Scarlet Letter V on his chest, V for Violent Offender, of course.
If you have ever been to a football practice from little league to the collegiate level, if you are a part of the defense, it’s ingrained in you to hit somebody. Coaches are not talking just tackling, coaches instill being aggressive and taking the opponent out. So by the time players reach the NFL that aggressive nature is cemented in their muscle memory, becomes second nature, apart of their DNA to be a dominant, aggressive specimen.
So back to the fight. Garrett is a relentless pass rusher and he was trying to sack QB Mason Rudolph, who was able to get the pass off. Garrett continued with the rush and tackled Rudolph, who took exception and the two tussled on the turf and it quickly turned into a wrestling match. Rudolph tried taking off Garrett’s helmet but his hands were too soft and he was unsuccessful and then he landed a kick to Garrett’s groin. In the melee, Garrett was able to snatch Rudolph’s helmet off and hit Rudolph with his helmet across his head. Rudolph, you lose your helmet and get hit by your own helmet, that’s not a good look for you. He quickly threw up his hands looking for a flag. I don’t think he was injured by the hit.
The NFL wasted no time and banned Garrett indefinitely. Rudolph has not been penalized for his part in the fracas. It was an ugly display of poor sportsmanship and rightfully Garrett should be suspended. So should Rudolph and everyone who kicked or threw a punch, There is no room for fighting in any sport. Tempers will flair, however, you have to think bigger picture. Is it worth losing your paycheck? Nothing is ever worth your paper. So Garrett has a long time to think about his actions.
My lesson to him is to learn how to meditate, have self-control, and never allow someone to take you out of your character and jeopardize your money, young fella. To the media, maintain a balance of coverage. A fight in the NFL is no different than a fight in the NHL, MLB, NBA, any professional sport. To single out the NFL, that already has negative connotations associated with it because 80 percent of the players are African-American. It’s an injustice in covering the sport and the athletes that play professionally. Read any blogs or news stories associated with this fight and the comments, many of them say the league is full of thugs, criminals, and it not only is a reflection on the athletes but an entire race of people. We all know exactly what those catch words mean and the media only reinforces the stereotypes associated with African American athletes by labeling athletes as violent when you label a hockey fight as physical. Keep it fair and balanced.
