"It's all the politically correct idiots in America. That's all it is." Mike Ditka on the controversy raging over the name of the Washington Redskins
- Earlier this week, I wrote a piece pointing out that there's more outrage over the Ray Rice video than the two videos showing the decapitation of two Americans by an ISIS homicidal maniac. It's been virtually impossible to listen to any local or national sports show without listening to sportscasters talking about the Ray Rice incident. In fact, their coverage of the incident actually overshadowed the memorials to the victims of 9/11 (including the Benghazi 9/11 victims). {After I wrote this, Rich Lowry wrote the following a week later regarding the news about ISIS and the NFL: ""...the casual observer would be hard pressed to decide which is more odious."}.
- There was a time in the NFL when sportscasters left politics on the sidelines. No more. Now these mental midgets---who know as much politics as a typical low information voter---feel the need, the compulsion to lecture the football audience on cultural-political issues. We've seen it with Bob Costas and gun control. We've seen it with Michael Sam. And now we're belabored with Ray Rice (who, by the way, should be banned from the league for life in my opinion). And while they have every right to voice their opinions, there's also a time and place for expressing those opinions. I contend it should not be during the airing of a professional football game.
- But this is where the hypocrisy comes in. Since 2000, there have been 85 domestic violence arrests against NFL players (USA Today). In fact, in two of the most recent incidents of domestic violence by NFL players, both players remain active members of their respective teams (also USA Today). Yet, where's the outrage from sportscasters about those two players? I contend most Americans don't even know their names (Quincy Enunwa of the NY Jets and Ray McDonald of the Forty-Niners. Of course, they are innocent unless proven guilty. Both were arrested). Note: The FBI reported domestic violence among the general population decreased by 63% from 1994 to 2012.
- As I also stated in an earlier post, I'm convinced progressives are targeting the NFL. And it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if the NFL becomes a National Flag Football League in less than a generation. After all, in flag football, the risk of getting injured is much less. But the risk of becoming a league of politically correct pansies becomes that much greater.
- However, there is some good news, at least among football fans. For example, even a poll by ESPN found that sports fans don't want to change the name of the Washington Redskins. I also suspect most NFL players are not too pleased with the impending castration of the league.
- With political correctness, it always comes down to tyrants who think they know what's best for the rest of society---as long as you agree with them.
- Dan Valenti, a broadcaster and journalist, said it best: "Our dumbed-down society and culture have lost sight of the healthy lines of demarcation that once cordoned off big-time sports from the events of substance that impact our lives in far more significant ways." It's a a lesson the likes of Keith Olberman, Costas and other sportscaster nitwits never bothered to learn.
Note: Since 2000, 730 NFL players have been arrested. Charges included DUI (the leading causes for arrests); 38 gun charges, 21 burglary, 82 drug charges, 85 for domestic violence. In addition, Vikings players have been arrested 44 times, highest in the league. NY Post via USA TODAY
