You run like a girl. You throw like a girl. You kick like a girl. Regardless of gender, everyone who has ever stepped foot on a court, field or playground understands that having your athletic ability compared to anything remotely feminine is not a good thing. One would think that equating femininity to a lack […]
Category: On the Bench
On the Bench: The NFL domestic violence problem
Recently, the NFL has been having problems with their players being involved in domestic violence altercations. Baltimore Ravens running back, Ray Rice made national headlines when he was videotaped dragging his unconscious then fiancée out of an elevator. This particular incident has sparked major controversy not only because of the severity of the domestic violence […]
On the Bench: “Johnny Football” not all that
Also named “Johnny Football” for his expertise as a starring quarterback at Texas A&M University, Johnny Manziel is 2014’s number 22 pick for the NFL draft and the 2012 Heisman trophy winner. For being a high number draft pick, he sure is making waves, claiming as well as showing that he will not be the […]
On the Bench: The Florida Panthers
As I sat down to write this last “On the Bench” before I graduate, I struggled to think of an idea. That’s when it hit me: the Florida Panthers. Ah, the Panthers. Two Aprils ago, I was at the BB&T Center when they beat the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of the 2012 playoffs. […]
On the Bench: Sex appeal and female athletes
There seems to be a large emphasis on the beauty and sex appeal of female athletes, especially in the past 20 years. Female athletes are seen as models who happen to play a sport. Although they wouldn’t consider themselves that, through the eyes of our society, they are. Sports marketers have been trying to sell […]
On the Bench: Northwestern University football union takes case to capitol
On April 2, Northwestern University football union representatives presented their case to lawmakers in Washington D.C. after being told they have the same rights as other workers to negotiate union terms. The situation brings up many questions and concerns for both the athletes and fans of the sports and universities. Why is it important for […]
On the Bench: Brasil
In less than three months, the world’s eyes will be cast firmly on Brazil as the World Cup gets underway on June 12. While there’s certainly a lot to look forward to in terms of the action on the pitch, it’s what’s been happening in the build-up to this tournament that is perhaps more important. […]
On the Bench: March Madness
It’s the middle of March, meaning the NCAA basketball tournament is set to get underway. March Madness always has something special in store, and this season ought to be no different. For starters, let’s get the biggest thing out of the way. Millions of people, including me, fully invest themselves in the art of “Bracketology” […]
On the Bench: Yankees
At this time of year, I’m reminded of a video from a couple years ago. It’s a bunch of guys sitting around a dinner table, what looks like a Mafia-style meeting. But keeping their business aside, one guy asks the crowd, “What am I most enthusiastic about these days?” His answer was the same as […]
On the bench: Michael Sam
We’ve all now had some time to decide what to make of Michael Sam’s mid-February announcement that he is gay. The media and fans have brought up many questions about this: Was it the right time to make the announcement? Can an NFL locker room handle a gay player? How would this affect his draft […]