The Athletics Double Standard
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl...ory?id=5409306

Interesting double standard? Read the comments, folks are basically calling out Bryant for being "that guy" (Roy Williams' [WR, Dallas] exact words.

I don't get it.

Many/most of us would applaud a pledge for standing up to a hazing regimen. Now an athlete does it and he's a punk.

At least that's what I figure the prevailing attitudes will be on the subject.

I'm trying so hard to not have that attitude, but I just don't see standing up to say forced drinking being on the same level of not wanting to carry someone else's pads. I don't think he's a punk but I do think he might be setting himself up for a difficult time on his new team.

You're comparing two different things, the reaction of the sports news world (or just this one writer) and the reaction of people on Greekchat. Also, the attitude in the article, where he's just being a party pooper and should just go along with it, is one I have seen about Greek hazing, if less frequently on GC than other places.

I think he's well within his rights to not participate in a hazing sort of tradition. And he appeared to act very maturely and not make a big stink about it, just politely declining. Spot on.

(Also, my lack of understanding was with the snippet of the story you provided. Did you cut and paste bits of it or is it that poorly written?)

ETA: What is it with the use of punk in your post? You sound like our troll from last night.

There has always been a double standard. Hazing in athletics, the military, and other places have existed for kazillions of years.

If people speak out against such hazing they are laughed at and deemed inadequate.

Similar still happens in GLOs, in general, but GLO hazing has been labeled as THE HAZING so people feel more comfortable speaking out and get a better response from people.

It's all the same hazing. The levels of hazing only matter when the powers that be deal out the appropriate "punishment." And let the record show that forced drinking isn't what I think of when I think of hazing.

He is "setting himself up for a difficult time on his team" just as a GLO pledge who speaks out is setting her/himself up to either never become a member or be the member who everyone hates. People need to keep their mouths shut and just go with the flow. If it doesn't hurt then it's okay. It doesn't matter that many chapters (athletics teams, etc.) start out with the "harmless" stuff before they push the hazing envelope further and further.

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/07/22/d...-with-cowboys/

I'm sorry, but for that kind of bank I'll carry Roy's pads, jock strap and clean his pot bellied pig's litter box.

If I was comparing two things which were the same, that'd sort of take all the fun out of comparing them, wouldn't it?

So obviously true that I didn't think it need to be said...

Is he? Texas anti-hazing laws make a pretty big fuss about singling out collegiate organizations, particular GLOs. Professional athletes definitely fall outside the class of persons protected by the law. An interesting conversation could occur as to what exactly Bryant's employment at the Cowboys requires him to do.

Just cut the first couple paragraphs or so. It never really explains what "level two" contemplates.

Right. I think the major distinction here is that this is his career, not a social activity. If anything, it's workplace harassment, not hazing...and I think carrying equipment (even someone else's) could easily fall under "job description". He's not the first office newbie to get the crap job...only it's not making coffee or doing the filing or taking out the trash. Same idea, though.

But you framed it in such a way that it didn't make sense.


But it did, because you suggested the audience was the same. It's either sloppy or deliberately manipulative.


How is he not "within his rights?" I don't think you need anti-hazing laws for employment since that's what employment law and in particular his contract is for. Laws aside, just as in GLOs, you are always within your rights to decline and walk away. You can accept losing your job or your membership or your best friend as a consequence if you choose to do so.

Poorly written then. I wasn't clear that the tradition was the rookie carrying the veterans' pads until multiple repeat readings.

"I'm sorry, but if it was required of me to kiss your butt, you should have put it in my contract."

- Janet Hubert "Life After"

I know what you are saying, but my peace on the situation in regards to pledging professional athletics is the same as folks in the band pledging their section.

I'm sorry none of those people are signing my checks, nor giving me my scholarship. I owe you nothing except my on the field work.

Personally I no man should have to carry Roy Williams pads.

Miles Austin on the other hand, if he has another G season, you better step up Rook, you ain't earned nothing. LOL

Roy may not even be there by the end of training camp

Interesting comments from Ravens camp: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/spor...ng_ravens.html

The comments by Jarret Johnson and Coach Harbaugh (the first half, at least) sound like what we'd say about hazing in our GLOs.

Crazy that this has turned into such a huge story....

That's how I feel about it. Whatever, he could've just been trying to set a precedent to let the veterans know he won't be a gopher. And I can see the sense in that...but on the other hand most of us face a little flack as the new person in the office, and for seven figures I'd be glad to play the fool for a while.