Top 10 List | Top Ten Lists

Buried, stuffed, walloped! Do you recognize these words anywhere? You may here a football commentator stating these words when there is a fight. In fact, many sports commentators would replay the scenes and enthusiastically describe the scenes over and over again.

Research has been extensively done on this topic. The debate surrounding the research related to whether fans incite player violence or reflect it. The evidence of course was inconclusive; however, we know that group solidarity is a part of sports. Spectators will always show solidarity with their favourite team, viewing the opposing team as enemy and fostering hostility towards the out-group.

The question still remains: how is violence and aggression portrayed in sports? Is it being rewarded? Let’s look at the theory behind why this is what indeed happened.

1. Biological Theory:

This theory was proposed by Konrad Lorenz. The aggression is seen as a basic human characteristic. It is socially acceptable way to discharge an accrual of aggression. I don’t think this is always the case, as was apparent at Bertuzzi case. Tie Domi is another case, but that did not prevent him from playing. Domi was seen showing aggression not only to fellow team members, but to spectators as well. He received a slap on the wrist for pouring water on a spectator’s head for heckling.

2. Psychological Theory:

This theory states that aggression is caused by frustration. Goals are blocked and sports players are unable to achieve their objectives. Many times, frustration is aimed at officials because of their decisions or lack of decisions. Injuries that interfere with performances and taunts also may cause frustration.

3. Social Learning Theory:

This is the theory with the most empirical data and verification. The behaviour is learned through modeling and is reinforced by rewards and punishments. Young athletes see sports players as role models and attempt to imitate their behaviours. This is more than the case with wrestling, where kids have tried to mimic the moves scene on scene. One should also further examine the Bobo Doll experiment by Albert Bandura to better comprehend the learning process.

4. Hellstedt theory:

Hellstedt believes that negative outcomes of sports involvement are usually caused by parents and coaches. Rewards are only given if the team wins. This is not correct as all games should be non-competitive until the learning has at least somewhat matured.

5. Media Impact:

Media is not the innocent bystander in all this. In fact they play an enormous role in promoting today’s violence in sports. They mainly look out for the entertainment needs of the spectators and sports fans. The example used to further prove the legitimacy of this argument is the nightly telecasts sports news. Telecasters highlight the daily scores and recognize the scuffles that may have occurred in the game.

This is a continuation of the article on aggression and its portrayal in sports. The article sites 10 cases where violence has gotten out of hand, causing bodily harm amongst other things.

While many athletes have a humble respect for their sport, there are those who have a more difficult time controlling their emotions and anger; perhaps maybe needing anger management therapy as well.

Proponents of violence fire back sighting athletes’ passion or an undying love for the game that propels them to become fiery levels. For fans, it is simply an eye opening entertainment arena.  But is it?

This article begs to differ.  It argues that anything which is excessively violent, causing bodily harm, should be banned. We are trying to stop the violence that husbands inflict on their wives, we are trying to stop cruelty towards animals and while it is not functioning very well at all, we also opt to get rid of lethal weapons.

1. Tahir ‘Tie’ Domi:

Domi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and the Winnipeg Jets. Despite his hiatus between 1990-1995, Domi’s place and home stood with the Maple Leafs. The fans loved him, especially his ruthless playing style.

Sadly, he is not most memorable for the good things. Throughout his career he had the most penalty minutes than any other player in Maple Leafs history; 365 in the 1997-98 season. He also is known for his short fuse. He would punch with his left hand, while holding his jersey with his right. He was also suspended for 8 games when he sucker punched Ulf Samuelson of the New York Rangers because the latter called him a Tie Dummy. In 2000-01 season, Domi sprayed a heckler with his water bottle.

2. Todd Bertuzzi:

March 8, 2004; a memorable game between the Canucks and the Avalanche. In the 3rd period it seemed that Todd Bertuzzi was trying to instigate a fight between him and Steven Moore. When that was not successful, Bertuzzi skated towards Moore, punching him repeatedly while grabbing the jersey. Moore was knocked out and suffered three fractured vertebrae, facial cuts and a head concussion. Bertuzzi was suspended, but reinstated for the 2005-06 game.

3. Kermit Washington:

Washington was a talented and well-loved player in the NBA. No one expected him to throw punches the way he did in 1973. The incident occurred in a game against the Houston Rockets. He punched Tomjanovich almost to death, leaving him in a pool of blood. Kevin Kunnert and Abdul Jabbar were involved in the brawl. Washington was fined $10,000 and was suspended for 60 days. Tomjanovich had to undergo 5 surgeries, which ended his career as NBA player.

4. Mike Tyson:

Tyson is also another athlete who has a short fuse. In the second fight (rematch) between him and Holyfield in 1997, Tyson received $30 million, while Holyfield received $35 million, the highest paid professional until 2007. During the fight Tyson bit on both of Holyfield’s ears. The first time the incident occurred, the match was stopped, but resumed. It was only when a piece of Holyfield’s right ear was bitten off, that the fight was over. Holyfield retaliated with a head but, but no penalty was given. Tyson’s pay was cut down by $3 million and his boxing license was rescinded.

5. Stephen Jackson:

This basketball player has one of the largest suspensions awarded to him-30 games. He and Ron Artest joined the crowd and onlookers during a game and began throwing punches. The incident was known as the Palace brawl. They and 7 others were given a ban on NBA, but the decision changed the next day. A slap on the wrist if you ask me.