I have avoided writing on this topic for days. I did not want to add to the toxic waste of recriminations and finger pointing over the accountability for the tragic shooting in Tucson on Saturday. After careful reflection, however, I believe that I can add to the debate in a new and meaningful way. I believe that I can make the case of straight line causation from one specific societal influence directly to the violence. I have not heard one talking head or so-called “expert” address the most egregious purveyor of systematic violence that is directly responsible for preying on the most weak-minded in our society. I refer, of course, to the NFL’s marketing of professional football.
The language of the game, repeated ad naseum during playoff season, is riddled with references to a wide variety of weapons, from small arms to WMDs. How many times did the unbalanced shooter hear about Brady’s effectiveness from the “shotgun” formation before the violent imagery seeped into his consciousness and forced him to act? We have all been affected, sometimes overtly, by commentators loving references to Clay Matthews’ bulging biceps as his “guns”. Immobile quarterbacks are known as the proverbial “sitting ducks”, ready to be hunted. Devin Hester being deified for his ability to “knife” through special teams’ coverage is repulsive, and any American interested in a more civic discourse should reject these types of dangerous clichés that lead directly and unequivocally to public mayhem.
You disagree? Have you ever met a Raiders fan on game day up close?
One month before the assailant took deadly aim, ESPN was consumed with talk about the “gunner” for the Dolphins being tripped up deliberately by the Jets sideline players during punt return coverage. You don’t need an advanced degree in criminology to see how a mentally ill young man could take up this assault against a gunner with a gun of his own. Words matter. The cumulative effect of this kind of verbiage must have become too much for him to bear.
Can’t we get back to talking about kinder, gentler football topics, like Rex Ryan’s predilection for women’s footwear?
Yes, the NFL has taken a zero tolerance stance to “shots to the head”, but at the same time, the league is marketing these hits to young fans. The league cannot ignore this hypocrisy, and their flag waving attempt at political correctness fools no one. No sane person can deny the relationship between these football messages and the events of Saturday in Arizona. Let’s face it, half the players on the field are offensive in one form or another. Do I have to draw it on a chalkboard for you to understand?
Even in the aftermath of the events of Saturday, I have heard ESPN on-air personalities Mike and Mike describe the Falcons-Packers game as a potential “shoot out” in Atlanta. Other than supplying the weapons at a kiosk on the Georgia Dome concourse at halftime, I am not sure that they could be more culpable for any future violence in Atlanta than that. Shame on you, ESPN.
Ron Jaworski has been all over the same network leading up to the playoffs. Known as “The Polish Rifle” during his playing days, his presence on screen has to influence those viewers most vulnerable to his commentary on “schemes” and “disguised” attacks. This is the language of paranoia, and terror is what resulted. Jaws can claim that everyone is doing it, and hey – it’s just football, right? That does not relieve him or his network of responsibility for its cultural insensitivity. He could be just as tough with a nickname like, “The Polish Sausage” instead, and no one would get hurt.
I do not think it is a coincidence that no one seems to be mentioning the “bomb” pass anymore, ever since the new START treaty was ratified by Congress. The connection couldn’t be clearer. Tone down the rhetoric of war, and weapons of war disappear. If we tone down the rhetoric of violence, lives may be spared.
Tone does matter, and I hope that this weekend’s playoff coverage will be more inclusive, more gentle, and more responsible. This violent talk must stop, or as a Baltimore Raven once said, “Nevermore.”
Please pray for the victims, and join me in condemning the league for its role in making Jared Lee Loughner into a killer. Punish the league by voting with your ticket dollars. Go see a baseball game.
J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!
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