Today the NHL handed down a 20 game suspension to rookie Steve Downie for leaving his feet to deliver a dangerous hit to the head of an opposing player. It was the fifth longest suspension in league history.
Downie’s team, the Philadelphia Flyers, were playing a pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators when, after taking a rough hit himself, Downie exacted his revenge on Ottawa forward, Dean McAmmond. He had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher, suffered a concussion and was released from the hospital today. Downie maintains it was a clean hit and that he “is just trying to earn a spot on the roster”.
I have loved watching hockey since I was a little girl and the agressive, powerful nature of the sport is, in my opinion, part of what makes the game great. But hits like this one seem to go beyond confident, agressive play into a game of life and death. All for a “spot on the roster”. Those who know Steve Downie have commented that he has a reputation for this kind of play. In fact, he was suspended in junior hockey for fighting a teammate and later punched an opponent in the face after a faceoff.
I want to be Content: Can you be truly content with your life?
Feeling alone? Talking with a patient listener is just a click away
So despite my love of the game, or perhaps because of it, I want to ask the question: what do we do about the Steve Downies? How do they become the type of players willing to risk lives to make it to the next level? Can the problem be solved by strict, zero-tolerence punishments at the professional level, or does it need to start years earlier, before young boys are bread into ruthless enforcers?
I am impressed with the NHL for handing out a tough sentence, something I don’t think many other sports have done. It remains to be seen if this will have an impact. What do you think?
Connecting Through Technology
Do you use technology to stay in touch with family and friends?
>Watch
I believe that going over board like that is wrong because it takes this awesome sport into a life and death situation. I mean what would happen if someone got hurt so bad that it paralyzes them or causes brain damage or breaks limbs…I mean I can understand when they get hit on accident but to do this on purpose….that’s going way over board. I don’t watch hockey as much anymore because these kinds of happenings have taken the enjoyment out of it for me. If anything I get frustrated and have often wondered why they don’t do something about this type of behavior. Yes you’re right….they should start when they’re young,teaching them this behavior isn’t tolerated. I also believe it sets them up to be the type of aggressive adults we sometimes see out in public situations. Yes, football players get bashed for a living…and sometimes they loose their cool, heck every sport has some sort of happening it seems. Whatever happened to just playing and enjoying the sports one plays? Well, if they don’t get a handle on this, I’m sure it will get worse for sure.
my grandson plays hockey he started at age 8 and loves it but doent like to hit or kick…he just loves the game …his dad is very aggressive and pushes him to be more aggressive which he wont do his dad has never played hockey and still doesnt just because of the hitting but wont admit it. i do enjoy hockey but i dont like the punching and hitting o heads just like soccer head hitting
As someone who has officiated at the Junior A and University level, I’d have to say that the issue isn’t the sport as much as it is the intensity and emotion that people play at.
Would Downie have done this if he wasn’t trying to make the team? Probably, he had gotten hit cleanly earlier and was looking to make someone pay for it so he would look tough. It happens all the time. Unfortunately, he left his feet.
Don’t forget, figure skating has had competitors hit knees with pipes, a kicker in football stabbed a teammate to try and take over the starting role and a quick google of “violence in chess” gives some great reading options. :)
We live in a world where people “lose it.” Downie “lost it” and now he gets to sit for 20 games.
I think you’re right. Maybe what happened with Downie says more about us as humans than it does about professional athletes. Why is it that we lose control? In pressure situation where the intensity overwhelms us, why do we inflict pain on others? It kind of makes you think about human nature and that we just might not be inherently good. Of course I have never been in that camp anyways but competitive sports just makes it too easy. :)
I have coached youth baseball on and off again since 1989, and I have seen a recurring pattern: invariably there are some parents who push their children to do whatever it takes to win; they believe they are teaching the skills it takes to succeed in sports and life. Many of these same parents could be seen yelling and cursing the game officials, arguing and even fighting other parents in the stands. They have long ago lost sight of the fact that youth sports are a recreational activity and are intended to teach cooperation, sportsmanship, and build character. I would be willing to bet this guy Downie grew up with this “role model”…
He lost as soon as he lost his temper. People who lose their cool and resort to violence may from time to time, appear to “win” but they always lose far more than they gain on the surface. In competition, a cool head is a more deadly weapon than a fast right hook. A clear mind scores more points than an aggressive spirit.
I agree with points that were made regarding other sports. Violence is not unique to hockey but certain sports have it built into their culture at a deeper level than others. I was born or raised in the US but have a very broad knowledge of sports. I love sports! I have always associated a bit of ‘rough and tumble’ and fisticuffs with hockey more so than say, American Football or Soccer.
If I were the manager of a team, be it hockey, chess, swimming, soccer or (insert sport here ___ ), I wouldn’t ever want a player like Downie on my team, IF that was a predominant component of his character make up. If that was out of character, I’d talk to him and help him out. But based on information here, it sounds as if he has no problem doing engaging in behavior like this.
You can be extremely passionate and level-headed at the same time. It’s not difficult. It takes about as much energy to engage in behavior like that as it does to lose your cool all the time.
Yikes! Some grammatical and spelling errors up there…
I meant to say “I was NOT born or raised in the US” and in the penultimate paragraph, second to last line, it should read “…has no problem engaging in behavior like that”.
Okay, I’m getting some coffee :-D