Chanel Calvin
Mr. Stern
English 111
March 3, 2015
Sports are too Violent Sports are activities done for pleasure which require physical and skill effort; however, violence in sports has become extremely violent. Athletes are involved, but coaches, referees, and spectators are also involved. In recent years, there has been an increase in the frequent and seriousness of acts of violence, and are most prevalent in team contact sports, such as football, ice hockey and soccer. Violence in some sports has also become a part of the entertainment arena. There are many casualties of violence in professional sports. Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, but it can be a very brutal sport. Players are hitting with the intent to injure or intimidate players, it may be part of a strategy developed by coaches or players, but with those intention come consequences. In recent years, the head injuries involved in football have been disturbingly high. Because head injuries can result in tragic effects sure as concussions, permanent brain damage including memory loss and depression; many rules have had to be enforced for player safety. Ice hockey is a very physical sport it is one of the most notorious sport for excessive violence. There are physical abuse of officials, player fights, and deliberate injuring of opponents. Ice hockey is known to have a fight on regularly occasion, and referees take their “sweet time” to break them up. This is one reason people watch hockey to see players fight. Violence in ice hockey has also resulted in players getting killed. Ottawa Victorias player Charles Masson was charged with manslaughter after Cornwall player Owen McCourt die of a head wound sustained in a brawl. Soccer is a sport known more for its spectator violence. In soccer there is more violence among the fans before, during, and after a game than there is among the players on the field. Soccer matches attract huge crowds and there is often a threat of violence that officials must prepare for. In July 2000, 13 people were trampled to death in a riot at a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Harare, Zimbabwe after South Africa took a 2–0 lead over Zimbabwe. Young athletes are influenced by the violence in sport because sport stars are role models especially for boys. Boys have a nature that is rough and don’t need to be further encouraged by sport violence. Children often imitate behavior. This may lead to imitating destructive behavior playing their sporting activities. Sports are supposed to be for enjoyment and not an exhibition made to harm someone. Sports can become emotional. When emotions get out of control violence is often unavoidable, and players forget the rules and the code of sportsmanship. Ending violence would be great. Having harsher penalties crowd control efforts might help, but it won’t eliminate the violence.