Many of us understand and abide by laws which make us a
civilized society. Many of these laws are specifically intended to prevent
violence amongst citizens. For example assault and battery on a street corner
is clearly illegal and easily spotted and charged. How about when there is an assault
which takes place in an organized professional sporting event? Many view these
events as glorious spectacles where men who have honed skill and agility to the
pinnacle of performance in their respective sport compete against other elite
athletes. It is the nature in some sports to use aggression, in some cases it
is woven into the identity of the sport itself such as football, hockey, and
rugby. Violent collisions or altercations are not limited to these sports however.
Throughout sporting history there have been series of scuffles and fights
spanning the entire sporting spectrum. Is there a possibility that some of
these collisions if delivered with malicious intent may be illegal, and subject
to criminal charges? Or is the fact that they are within the coliseum walls that
are professional sporting venues make them untouchable by law?
In this entry I would like to focus on one incident in particular
while still exploring the subject altogether. The incident which has been the focal
point of a media fire storm is the hit which Phoenix defensemen Raffi Torres
laid onto Chicago winger Marian Hossa in Game 3 of the NHL opening round
playoff series. The hit left Hossa motionless laying on the ice in front of
thousands of hometown fans. For anyone who saw the hit in real time it remains
vivid how bone crushing the hit was. It was clear that it was in no shape or
form a hockey play. Hossa was attempting to skate back towards the puck, while
Torres charged directly towards the defenseless winger and blindsided him with
a vicious hit. Play came to halt as referees realized a serious injury had
taken place.
The aftermath of that hit has defined the entire series.
While clearly biased due to their affiliation to the team, most Chicago media
outlets reported the hit as malicious, violent, and having no place in sports.
I cannot help but to feel the same way. Seeing Torres leap into the air and
lower his shoulder directly into the head of Hossa felt like watching an assault.
The victim in this assault was a professional athlete at the hands of another.
The NHL discipline committee dished out a shocking 25 game suspension to the
Phoenix defensemen. This move sparked great debate amongst sport fans. Myself,
I must agree with Chicago Superintendent Garry McCarthy who was at the game and
in an interview with CSN Chicago stated that he believed the actions by Raffi
Torres were “borderline criminal conduct.” He also stated that after the hit
Torres cursed at fans as well as pointed his hockey stick at them. I understand
this took place during a notorious hard hitting sporting contest, but the
actions of this individual to me are truly sickening. This is only due to the
consideration that the individual on the receiving end of the hit had his neck
stabilized and was taken off the ice in a stretcher.
This is where I would ask my fellow classmates as future
criminal justice professionals, would you press criminal charges on a
professional athlete under these circumstances?
SOURCES
Yes, i think you have to press charges! It is absurd that this can happen, or that "metta world peace" can throw an elbow and totally bust another guy severely without any repercussion other than a suspension. They should be suspended without pay by the league, but that should not be it. I recommened, as do you it seems, that they be processed through the CJS system, if very serious. The CJS System is already overloaded, but serious crimes are serious, regardless of location!
ReplyDeleteI think it will be very difficult to decide what acts are criminal and what acts are a direct result of the aggressiveness that takes part in most sports. I was as livid as anyone about the Torres hit and I'm glad the NHL whacked him but it is still kind of a hockey play and would be hard to charge. I do think there is an obvious line where an athlete can be charged but as for the events you explained tension and competitiveness got the best of a few dirty players.
ReplyDeleteIm a huge hawks fan and Hossa is my favorite and that hit really made me mad....BUT... it is a sport and even if the hit was really dirty you cant expect them to press criminal charges. The hit was with his body and yea it was directed right at his head but still you cant press charges against people who are willing to put their bodies on the line like that that is the risk you take. Now i can see if someone blatently hit someone across the head with his stick or like Happy Gilmore try taking your skate off and stabbing someone but not for a hit like this.
ReplyDeleteHow about the situation which has been brought to light with the New Orleans Saints putting a bounty on injuring opposing players? If there is intent to cause great bodily harm to another is this not a battery, and when committed in a public place a felony offense?
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