Three thoughts on the tunnel fight after the recent University of Michigan-Michigan State rivalry football game:
Before I offer that, here’s the background. After U-M soundly defeated MSU, 29-7, on Oct. 29, Spartans players were returning to the visitors’ team locker room when they came in contact with one or two U-M players. Multiple MSU players kicked, punched and otherwise beat up the U-M players.
Michigan State’s head coach, Mel Tucker, has suspended eight players for their roles in the incident. The Big Ten and both universities’ police departments are continuing to investigate the situation.
My thoughts:
- I am a graduate of Michigan State. In no way do I condone or defend what the MSU players did. A gang beating is never acceptable. The offenders should face consequences.
This is a non-negotiable.
2. One friend who I respect commented that the U-M player “put himself in that situation for a beatdown.” He went on to say, “I’m not ok with it but I understand it. I’m also keeping it in what I believe is proper context. This happened immediately after an intense contact sport just finished (and) emotions and hormones are running hot, this guy made the wrong move.”
Again, this does not condone a “beatdown.” But I think there’s more to the story than the universities are telling us. Ultimate justice might take a little while to sort out.
A half-time “jawing” incident took place two weeks before this one in the same tunnel. This altercation was verbal and not physical, but two tunnel incidents in the same month is a disturbing trend.
Again, I offer no judgment until justice sorts itself out.
3. As adults across the United States, we have lost the ability to communicate with each other respectfully on difficult or emotional issues. When one of us breaks into Nancy Pelosi’s house, for example, threatens her and injures her husband, what kind of example are we setting?
These young football players weren’t doing anything different than far too many adults are doing now. If they emulate us, which young people do as they seek their way in the world, why should we be surprised? Who are their role models?
This is the most disturbing part of this tunnel vision scenario to me, and one we haven’t talked about yet. We have met the enemy, and he is us.
We have created a culture in this country where it’s OK for adults to get angry, and even violent, with each other. We defend an attempted insurrection in our nation’s Capitol building, for heaven’s sake. We have elevated a gun culture – their only purpose is to kill or maim.
Domestic abuse remains a serious problem. Abortion has decreased over time, but remains an issue in society. Anger and violence take many forms.
These are the lessons we are teaching our young people, by our actions if not our words. Yes, each person is responsible for his or her own behavior, but where is the restraint? Respect? Leadership? Guidance?
Coach Tucker does not operate in a vacuum. He can do only so much.
Public schools are a hotbed for violence and anger, because people of all viewpoints are forced to meet each other in their children’s classrooms – or at a school board meeting. Teachers do a super-human job every day in leading children who have a wide range of learning styles and abilities, as well as beliefs taught to them (or not) by their parents or guardians.
Hats off to teachers and school administrators for leading well, despite the lightning rod roles we have fostered on them.
Back to athletics. I haven’t attended a youth soccer or baseball game recently (my children are grown), but I’ve heard horror stories from referees and umpires who are forced to take abuse from parents who don’t like the calls they make.
Again, if this is how adults act, why should we expect a different attitude from our young people?
We can preach respect and good sportsmanship until we are blue in the face, but we lead by our actions. That’s what our young people see and emulate.
If we respond to a bad call or a loss with anger, then that’s what we are modeling for our young people.
My family attended a church in Saginaw, Mich., for more than 20 years. Our pastor for most of that time was a U-M graduate and a sports fan. There were several U-M and MSU boosters in the congregation – as well as at least three Ohio State supporters.
During the college football and basketball seasons, we had fun with it. We ribbed each other. Since the pastor had the pulpit, he got the final say, but it was lighthearted fun.
We supported our schools and remained friends – and still are friends. And still support our schools.
Don’t tell me it can’t be done.
We take life far too seriously. College athletes now can get paid. Betting and fantasy leagues often are more important than the real games.
We’ve lost the focus of what sports are all about: Teamwork. Sportsmanship. Doing your part, and trusting your teammates to do theirs. Encouragement. Self-discipline (athletes have to be in tip-top shape to perform their best).
All of those character traits transfer to the real world.
And we’ve lost them.
That’s our fault as adults. We have chosen to abandon the character traits that built this nation.
If we want to take back America, we have to re-learn the basics of life – which teachers begin teaching in preschool and kindergarten, by the way.
Let’s get back in the sandbox and learn how to play together.
For real.
the liberal conservative 