U.S and Boycotting the Olympics

Boycotting the Olympics typically occurs to make a political statement. It seems as if almost every Olympics has something going on in history, that has made some country upset and choose to boycott the Olympic. I really enjoyed Hunt’s lecture on the past Olympics and boycotts that have occurred. There were talks that the U.S. should have boycotted the 1936 Olympics in Berlin because of the events occurring in Germany at the time. (Nuremberg Laws) While I am completely against all that was going on in Germany at the time, I can’t help but wonder if skipping out on those Olympics would have offended Germany, and even further put U.S. on Germany’s bad side. The list of things America could have, and didn’t do during the beginning of World War II is often talked about, however I would have to say they made a good call on going to those Olympics. HOWEVER, I am very glad they went and were the only country not to salute Hitler. They went to the Olympics, but at least showed they were not supportive of Hitler and his choices as chancellor so far. U.S. also boycotted in the 1980 Moscow games. They boycotted in response to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. When the U.S. takes a stand such as boycotting the Olympics, it is a very powerful stand. 62 countries joined this boycott. America had very few options during this time since the Soviet had nuclear weapons. This boycott was ineffective. There was talk of banning the 2008 Beijing games, because of catastrophic pollution, Tibet, repression of religious groups, and several other events going on at the time. However, I agree with America’s choice to go. Not going to the games in Beijing would be a huge slap in the face to China from America, considering all they have helped us with financially. What I find so fascinating about the Olympics are all the historical events tied into the Olympics related, and unrelated to sports. The Olympics are an international spectacle, in which very political statements can be made by all of the different countries.

Collegiate Athletes.... Pay for Play??

College players, pay for play? Absolutely not. I admit, the life of a DI college football player is not far from that of a professional, and I realize they probably do more than any other student, or student-athlete for that matter, on campus. However, I truly think the love for the game is much more apparent when the players are not getting paid. Having them get paid would turn it more similar to the NFL, like a business, where possibly people with the exceptional talent are only doing it because of the money. College football players, (especially here at UT and all of the other big universities) get special treatment, very special treatment. They often times get school paid for, the prestige and recognition of playing for a D1 program, awesome meals and hotel accommodations on game day- These are things that in my opinion allow them to still enjoy the game and have a good time. By them playing without pay we see the true dedication, and makes us support the program that much more. The boys are in college, I know it was argued by Gilmore that having their school paid for doesn’t mean much because most of them don’t graduate—BUT stop right there. This is a separate problem in and of itself that I feel like large changes should be made about. However, I don’t think we should go AROUND the problem by saying, “Don’t pay for their school, they don’t graduate anyway, let’s just give them money!” I don’t think it should be that way at all, instead, things should be focused on the academic realm of a student-athlete, and having their tuition paid for at such a world class college such as UT can do a lot to pay them off. Several players would do anything to play for UT or DI. It takes extreme passion and dedication, which makes us admire the players that much more. I don’t mean to take away from the players credit by saying they should not get paid, because I realize they work SOOO hard. Instead, I really agree with the “earning college credit” argument. I think that would be a great idea. These boys are putting in well over 20 hours a week, and perhaps getting at LEAST 3 or 6 hours a semester credit would be a great idea. However, we must remember the academic aspect, and be sure they are also still taking around 3 actual classes that involve their degree. Perhaps a special degree plan should be made for collegiate football players. For example, Sports Management/ Football, where you would take the sports management curriculum, however football could be your minor, or provide the credit to get you up the 120 hours needed for graduation.

Football Violence/ Dog fighting

I completely agree with the new football, no helmet to helmet rule. I love the game of football and while I think any change that can be made to protect the players’ safety is important, I don’t think much can be done without changing the game. (Even this new rule is changing it!) Football has been played for several centuries now, and while it can be argued that only up until the last few decades has it started to become filled with such power houses, faster, stronger, bigger, men, I am sure the men in other fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers, took some serious blows in football as well. Playing football is taking a risk, just like getting into your car everyday is taking a risk. To compare football players to dog fighting….In my opinion is considering the players do not have a choice in whether they play the game of football. Unlike dogs, they can very easily come out of the game, or choose not to even start playing football. Several of the boys who start playing football, either already have, or develop, a love for the game or they would not continue to play. Those who don’t typically stop playing around jr. high. And as I said before when considering our fathers, grandfathers, etc., a majority of them are just fine. These men choose to take a risk, just like we do every day of our lives. Sometimes I feel like players in the NFL start to lose the love of the game.. due to the intensity level and extremely high pay.. However, they still have the power, unlike dogs, to get out of the game. Also, these men are being paid millions of dollars, and men like firefighters, policemen, and the military, risk their lives every day (for a cause more meaningful than a football game) and they’re not paid near that amount. These men are choosing to be in the NFL, and possibly risk their lives, just like the men who protect our country. Football is considered an “All-American game. It is not as unmoral as dog fighting. While we do like seeing big hits, we definitely do not seeing serious injuries. Sure, it can be looked at as inherently violent, and some plays definitely are, I see football as much more of an interesting, purposeful game that is not as near inherently violent as say, boxing. The purpose in football is not to seriously hurt someone, and if it is for a player, then that is a separate matter that should be handled appropriately (coach taking him out.) Lastly, with the proper care of football players, and maybe some sort of technology able to exam the head and tell when enough is enough, and other small changes, I believe the game can be played and enjoyed for another several decades, just as It has for the past several centuries.