Biggest Taboo Topics in Sports
There are certain taboo topics in sports that should be handled with sensitivity but not necessarily avoided. Drugs, domestic violence, sexual orientation—these are important yet highly charged issues that inevitably stimulate impassioned opinions and conversation.
In sports, and particularly in sports and pop culture, we like to keep things light. However, as we've seen, sports are not immune to the prevailing issues of our time. Athletes, media personalities, coaches, front-office personnel—ultimately, they are all human, and human issues bleed into sports just like they do any other subset of society.
The following stories have, of course, been reported upon, but in general, it is a slippery slope to provide commentary. Certainly, one should exercise sensitivity when discussing subject matter that could be hurtful, but regardless of opinion, there is something to be said for raising awareness.
In July 2014, Eric Garner, an unarmed black man, was put into a chokehold by a police officer and later died. In the wake of a grand jury decision not to indict the officer, Kobe Bryant and other NBA players wore "I Can't Breathe" T-shirts before games. Bryant told reporters, per ESPN.com, "It's important that we have our opinions. It's important that we stand up for what we believe in, and we all don't have to agree with it, and it's completely fine."
Here they are: 10 taboos in sports, presented in no particular order and without opinion (but perhaps intended to spark some).
Politics
1 of 10
In August, ESPN baseball analyst Curt Schilling was suspended for posting a politically charged meme to his Twitter account. Specifically, the meme compared Islamic extremists to Nazis.
Schilling's suspension ended with the beginning of MLB's division series, but his Facebook page continues to provide evidence of the former pitcher's political beliefs. Schilling has posted on topics such as gun control, economic policy and the Iran nuclear deal.
Drugs/Addiction
2 of 10
Ahead of the New York Yankees' American League Wild Card Game matchup, pitcher CC Sabathia announced he would enter an alcohol rehabilitation program. Per ESPN.com, Sabathia said in a statement, "It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player."
Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton has also battled addiction and substance abuse at periods of time during his MLB career. He faced suspension as a minor leaguer from 2004 to 2006 for various offenses, and though he went on to an All-Star major league career, Hamilton has experienced several known relapses, according to Mike DiGiovanna and Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, in 2009, 2012 and 2015.
Domestic Abuse
3 of 10
In 2014, Ray Rice, then a running back with the Baltimore Ravens, was suspended after video surfaced of him punching and knocking out his then-fiancee (now wife) in an elevator.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson agreed to a plea deal in a case involving the alleged abuse of his four-year-old son.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy recently returned to the NFL after a four-game suspension stemming from a domestic violence conviction (which was overturned due to lack of cooperation from the complainant).
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Openly Gay Athletes
4 of 10
In 2013, now-retired NBA center Jason Collins became the first openly gay player in the Big Four North American sports. In February 2014, Michael Sam, then a defensive end with the Missouri Tigers, announced he is gay. Recently, Chris Burns, an assistant men's basketball coach at Bryant University, came out.
Of his decision to go public, Burns told Outsports in an exclusive story:
"Like the people before me, I hope my story empowers someone, even if it's just one person. But it's a process for everyone. My advice: Take your time and be comfortable. Everyone's personal journey is special and unique, and no one should feel pressure to do anything they aren't comfortable with.
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Religion
5 of 10
Muhammad Ali famously converted to Islam during his legendary boxing career. Former college football standout and current SEC Network analyst Tim Tebow has long been vocal about his Christianity. In August, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster spoke about his decision to go public as an atheist. Of the NFL, he told Tim Keown of ESPN The Magazine:
"They're going to stay away from anything taboo, which makes sense. You don't want to ruin endorsements. People might say, 'I don't want an atheist representing my team.' Now, though, I'm established in this league, and as I'm digging deeper into myself and my truth, just being me is more important than being sexy to Pepsi or whoever. After a while, what's an extra dollar compared to the freedom of being you? That's the choice I made.
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Criminal Activity
6 of 10
The murder trial of former NFL superstar O.J. Simpson dominated American news in 1994 and '95. Former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and testified in a murder trial in 2000.
In April, former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2013 death of Odin Lloyd. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Hernandez will also stand trial for the 2012 murders of two men in Boston. Proceedings are scheduled to begin in December.
Race Relations
7 of 10
Protests and unrest flared in Ferguson, Missouri, after the 2014 shooting death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown by a police officer. Subsequent deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police officers, including Eric Garner's, have continued to bring race relations and police conduct to the forefront of American consciousness.
The issues are not lost on the sports world. In November, five St. Louis Rams players entered a game against the Washington Redskins with their hands in the air, displaying the "hands up, don't shoot" gesture representative of Brown's death.
When law enforcement expressed disapproval, Rams executive vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff said in an email to the Associated Press (via CBS Sports), "I expressed regret for any perceived disrespect of law enforcement. Our players' goal was to show support for positive change in our community. I do believe that supporting our players' First Amendment rights and supporting local law enforcement are not mutually exclusive."
Transgender Athletes
8 of 10
In 2012, transgender athlete Keelin Godsey competed in the Olympic trials, though he failed to qualify for the U.S. women's hammer throw team. In 2014, UFC superstar Ronda Rousey told TMZ she felt transgender fighter Fallon Fox had an "unfair advantage."
Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner has brought significant awareness to the transgender community since announcing her own transition with a June Vanity Fair cover. During her acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, Jenner said (via Helen Regan of Time magazine):
"As a group, as athletes, how you conduct your lives, what you say, what you do, is absorbed and observed by millions of people, especially young people. I know I'm clear with my responsibility going forward, to tell my story the right way — for me, to keep learning, to do whatever I can to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated. And then more broadly to promote a very simple idea: accepting people for who they are. Accepting people's differences.
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Women in Sports Media
9 of 10
Women in sports media have often faced a challenging road toward equality, dating back to Robin Herman and the right for female reporters to gain locker room access.
In September, retired softball player Jessica Mendoza joined ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball crew in the wake of Curt Schilling's suspension. In October, she became the first woman to call a nationally televised MLB postseason game with her contributions to the American League Wild Card Game broadcast. In addition to widespread support, Mendoza also faced criticism as a female taking on a traditionally male role in sports.
In fact, an Atlanta radio host, Mike Bell, was suspended from his on-air duties after firing off critical tweets during Mendoza's broadcast.
Rape Culture
10 of 10
In January, two former Vanderbilt football players, Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey, were found guilty of raping an unconscious woman in 2013. In June, a judge declared a mistrial in the case; however, the pair will return to court for a retrial set to begin in November.
In August, Vanderbilt football, in an apparent attempt to create hype for the upcoming season, tweeted the slogan, "We don't need your permission!" The post was later deleted, and Vanderbilt football tweeted, "We apologize for today's tweet. It's not a comment about sexual assault. Sex without permission is always wrong and not accepted."
Just a few weeks later, former Baylor defensive end Sam Ukwuachu was found guilty and sentenced to six months in jail and 10 years probation for the 2013 sexual assault of a fellow student.
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