This is like "being a little bit pregnant." You either used profanity or you did not. Once we define what profanity is, it is certainly up to the referees to enforce the rule fairly. I agree that this has not been done very well by the referees this year. We have all been the victim and the perpetrator. But, we cannot rationalize poor behavior or language by attributing it to the heat of the battle. Where do you draw the line? Some players, fans and coaches think their sole purpose is to "get in someone's head" by any means necessary, that it is their job to provoke other human beings to the point of an explosion. I see it often. I feel sorry for those people and, at the risk of sounding judgmental, I pray for those people. In 25 + years I have seen and heard it all. I don’t see where it has improved much. I try to do my part. That’s all I can do. I am saddened by some things I have witnessed, often times from parents. I don’t understand how grown people who are supposed to be role models can justify verbal harassment of teenagers. Maybe they are thinking that it is their role, their way of helping the team. How sad. We have got to teach our players that there is a better way to respond. If we do not, where will it all end? Yesterday's profanity is today's everyday language. An old poem reads, in part, "if this, the taste, continues here, what will it be another year?"
Restraint is a character trait well worth teaching and one sorely lacking today. None of us are without blame here. But all of us can do better. Think back to your last few games, games you attended or played in and ask yourself “Would my mother be proud of what I was saying or how I was behaving or playing? Would my Maker?” One day we will all have to justify our words and actions and I don’t think “in the heat of the battle” is going to get us off the hook.
Last edited by Wayne; 03/15/07 03:18 PM.
