Remember when the Leafs collapsed at the end of last season? Of course you do.
While the heartbreak or sheer joy of witnessing that predictable spectacle – depending on where you live – felt like it transcended every fibre of this city’s social, political, or humanitarian fabric, it was really just a sports moment.
Even if it did last several weeks and a barrel of whiskey.
Domestic abuse, homosexuality in sports, racism, and murder, on the other hand, are what we call world issues – reaching far beyond the boundaries of play and into realms of private life, societal analysis, legal justice, and human rights.
And sadly, it sometimes takes someone from the world of competition to bring those to light…
1. Oscar Pistorius Cleared of Murder
Superstar ‘blade runner’ Oscar Pistorius was cleared of murder charges stemming from the 2013 killing of his girlfriend, South African model Reeva Steenkamp. The highly publicized trial concluded last week, the most serious charge as ruled by the judge being culpable homicide. Pistorius will be sentenced next month, but is free to compete for South Africa until then. Has ‘Stand Your Ground’ arrived in South Africa?
2. 2022 World Cup in Qatar
This whole thing started four years ago when Qatar, a desert country of two million people, won a bid to host the sport’s marquee event in controversial fashion, to say the least. Accusations of bribery with varying degrees of evidence flare up every few months, and a host of other issues continue to plague the decision, but none are more dire than the fact that over 1000 migrant works have died in construction projects for the tournament. One headline was especially shocking: Qatar’s World Cup Expected to Take More Lives Than 9/11.
3. Ray Rice Domestic Abuse Scandal
This one should still be fresh in your minds, but all the twists and turns make it admittedly hard to follow. Essentially, here’s what happened: Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocked his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, unconscious in casino elevator. He was released on simple assault charges, but the case went up a notch when video surfaced of Rice dragging her body out of the elevator. The NFL responded by suspending Rice a paltry two games and the couple went on to get married.
Then, on September 8, video of the assault that took place inside the elevator was leaked by TMZ, taking the whole situation several notches higher. Rice was released by his team and suspended indefinitely by the league – but let’s stop right there before giving the NFL any credit. Allegedly, commissioner Roger Goodell had seen the footage long before and decided that trying to sweep everything under the rug was the best course of action. Not only does the future of Ray Rice currently hang in the air, but calls to oust of one of sports’ most powerful executives are only getting louder.
4. Donald Sterling’s Racist Remarks
Speaking of deeply flawed executives, we arrive now at former Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling. Sterling, of course, is best known as one of the NBA’s foremost racists, having told a friend that he wants her “not to bring [black people] to my games.” Sterling was forced to sell his team and is currently banned for life from the NBA.
5. Suarez Bites Again
Just when you think, surely this man can afford enough to eat, he bites another opponent. And at the World Cup, no less. Suarez is one of the world’s most prolific strikers, and absolutely the sport’s most unrelenting carnivore. He’s already been suspended three times for biting and once for racial abuse; we can’t wait to see what’s on the menu this year as he enters a new chapter playing for Barcelona.
6. Michael Sam
You’ll probably remember Sam as the first openly gay player to be drafted into the NFL, an achievement met with a circus of activity starting right from the moment he kissed his boyfriend on a live ESPN draft day broadcast. He’s endured backlash from the Westboro Baptist Church and the deepest, most ignorant corners of Twitter ever since, but he’s still in a position to make an NFL roster – currently playing on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Hey Michael, we’d openly accept you in the CFL if things South of the border don’t pan out.
7. A-Rod’s Season-Long Suspension
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is missing out on $25-million in salary this year while serving a 162-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs. Just as damaging is what the verdict means to his already polarizing reputation – not the most ideal way to enter impending retirement – and, above all, the relationship between baseball and the seemingly rampant use of PEDs.
#NOTABLE
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