Sports and Politics

Colin Kaepernick (center), who started the protesting movement,
with fellow teammates protesting during the anthem.

On October 5th, 2017 we discussed politics and its connection with sports. This article relates to what we discussed in class in many ways. One way is that the article talks about the anthem protests that happen before NFL games, and we learned that the tradition to play the anthem started by 1940. We also discussed that the flag is a symbol of of our government and political system and athletes in the past have protested during the anthem, like in the 1968 Olympic Games when Tommie Smith and John Carlos held up their fist during the anthem. The athletes were treated harshly when they returned home just like how the athletes that protest the anthem now and the teams who let the athletes protest. The article also talks about how teams are losing business and fans from these protests and tells how there are ideas on how to fix the problem but no solid plan. Specifically the Atlanta Falcons owner, Arthur Blanks, will have a meeting with players, coaches, law enforcement and others to see what the best course of action is. We learned in class that a connection between government and sport is to promote economic development but sport organizations can not do that if fans are mad. The article also talks about how this problem was because of the President of the United States words calling out owners to fire players who protest. Instead of politics and sport working together to promote dominant values of the United States, safeguard the public order, and to promote the prestige and power of the nation, they are working against each other and tearing one another down. 

Owner of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones, (center) with players
and head coach kneeing before the anthem

Find the article here:
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/10/02/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NFL-Owners.aspx?hl=politics%20in%20sports&sc=0

Youth Sports

On September 21st and 26th of 2017, we discussed youth sports in class. This article relates to content we discussed in class because it talks about a young athlete who was injured from overuse and how a lot of other young athletes are going through the same problems. The article starts off by talking about a girl who experienced an injury in her growth plates from continuous pounding on the knees. The girl had been playing soccer seven times a week for three different teams, her high school team, a recreation team, and a club team in Manhattan. In class we learned in class that overuse is one of many problems with youth sports. In the article it talks about how 60% of all Tommy John surgeries in the United States are for people ages 15 to 19. This and the girls injury with her growth plates are great examples to represent how overuse affect young athletes. The article mentions that the injuries are byproducts of the growing number of travel teams and tournaments because of parents who believe that their child is going to be the next Micheal Jordan. We learned in class that a common trend of youth sports is the increase of programs becoming privatized. Another problem in youth sports that we learned is that youth sports instill unrealistic goals of stardom or professional status which in this case is mostly because of the parents.

Read the full article here: http://nypost.com/2017/06/19/the-epidemic-thats-ruining-youth-sports/

Sport and Education

Adidas, the company that was charged with
bribing players and coaches

On September 28th and October 3rd of 2017, we discussed sport and education, specifically in high school and college. This article relates to class because it is a clear example of illegal recruiting, and in class we learned that it is one of the many abuses in intercollegiate sports. The article mentions how an Adidas executive worked with a sport agent and a financial advisor to funnel thousands of dollars to the families of high school recruits. This would persuade them to sign with the college programs that are partnered with Adidas. Adidas's intention of giving athletes money to sign with Adidas college sport programs was so that when the athletes went pro, they would sign with Adidas. The reason athletes would be easily persuaded is because as a division 1 college student athlete, you work so much and  with hardly any time to study on academics, which will result in the program altering grades and transcripts. Plus the program exploits the athletes. Both abuses in intercollegiate sports are why players would accept large amounts of money to join certain programs. This Adidas scandal has caused four assistant coaches to be arrested and charged who are from big-time college basketball programs. The article perfectly displays an abuse in intercollegiate sports which we talked about in class.

Head coach of Louisville Men's Basketball team, Rick Pitino,
was fired because assistant coaches and players received money
from Adidas, despite having no knowledge of this.

Read the full article here: http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/09/27/Colleges/NCAA-FBI-Details.aspx?hl=adidas%20recruiting%20scandal&sc=0

Sports and Societal Values

Chris Long in his Philadelphia Eagle uniform

On September 7th, 2017 we discussed sport and societal values in class. This article relates to what we talked about in class in many ways. One way is because the article talks about how Chris Long ,who plays in the NFL, is donating his money to three organizations that will make education accessible to the undeserved youth while providing the support they need to become a strong social and emotional character. Chris Long's selfless actions represent American societal values we discussed in class. His actions prove he has a good moral orientation and they show he cares about equality because this is for all the kids. Long's actions also proves that he wants progress, and achievement and success for the kids, and the future of this nation. Long will be donating his last ten game checks to three different organizations located in Philadelphia, Boston, and St. Louis, all places where he has played. Long also started a Pledge 10 for Tomorrow campaign hoping that others will join in on making the future a better place. Long is donating this money because he wants to make a difference and knows that his platform as a professional athlete can help create some good. Chris Long is a great role model for kids to look up because he promotes a lot of American societal values.

To donate to Pledge 10 for Tomorrow and help out, click here

Read the full article here: http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/chris-long-donate-final-10-eagles-game-checks-play-free