Thursday, March 3, 2011

7 comments Killing Owls in South America Is No Biggie, FYI

You can usually expect some sort of news in the sports world every day. Despite the NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB's every attempt to create an oatmeal flavored sports realm, there will always be a significant amount of Donte Stallworths and Miguel Cabreras. Athletes mess up. It's a time tested formula that's almost as solid as Ron Artest + anyone = chemistry issues. On that note, I present to you the following video which headlined Deadspin recently.




I've watched the video a number of times now, and it's sickening to say the least. Yet it has that can't-look-away quality that compels motorists to slow down on the highway when passing a crash site. It would be bad enough if the owl was simply struck by the ball. Instead, a second player makes a conscious decision to give it a solid kick. It was essentially a complete reversal of the bystander effect (the more people around to witness something - the hurt owl, in this case - the less chance that someone acts).

I'm not going to strike down the owl kicker with my might sword of moral justice and comdemn him to the depths of sporting hell. Alright, he kicked a bird. Was it dumb? Yeah. Cruel? Yep. Something worth getting bent out of shape for? Maybe, but probably not. If I were an animal rights activist, maybe my passion for the issue would excede that of Matt Hasselbeck. (In case you were wondering, I'm neutral on Vick. He committed a crime, he did his time, end of story. Morals should not play a factor in whether you think he should be allowed to play in the NFL.)

More alarming, in my opinion, is the aftermath of the story. In response to the backlash for kicking his opponent's mascot, Luis Moreno, the egregious offender, said that he was only trying to get the bird off the field and did not know it was a team mascot. You know, because if it wasn't a team mascot it would have been fine. It's quite possible that Columbian soccer teams do not have PR people, but I could not even make up a worse response. It was almost as bad as a Jerry Manuel press conference or the Terrell Owens crying incident.

Even more alarming, however, is the precedent that this incident continues to set. Donte Stallworth receives a month in jail for murder. O.J. Simpson. Countless other examples. I do not intend to parade around on my white horse criticizing society for its inept ways. But for whatever reason, it seems that laws do not apply inside sports arenas. From a purely legal stance, Moreno kicked an animal and it died. Shouldn't there be some sort of punishment here besides the minimal fine ($650) and two game suspension? Like the whole legal system? It's South America, so I really don't know and I don't really care enough to harp on the issue (so sorry for the extended rant). I hate being the righteous voice of good, but this whole situation reeks of classic, "I'm an athlete, it's cool."

7 comments:

ivn said...

Morals should not play a factor in whether you think he should be allowed to play in the NFL

of course, but you're still free to think that he is a colossal piece of shit. which is what I do.

always found it funny that the former John Gotti of dogfighting and a two-time alleged rapist are more popular around the sports world than a QB who does not like to talk to the media.

this is the first time I've seen that video, and it made me wince. there are like a billion better ways to "get it off the field." of course, dude's a pro athlete, and most pro athletes are dumber than a sack of doorknobs. there's always the possibility that he genuinely didn't think giving a solid kick to a wounded animal would kill it. doesn't make him any better, but still.

Bengoodfella said...

I agree morals don't have too much to do with whether you should play in the NFL or not. There are cases where players have screwed up and they deserve to be suspended. Much like the Leonard Little situation I reserve the right to call you a dickhead for the rest of your life.

I ain't no pussy or anything, but that is fucking bullshit. It's the first time I have seen the video. What made it worse is the freaking owl just poked his head up as the asshole kicked him. Whatever, I like animals more than humans so I am biased.

I think the guy was trying to be a dick and kick the mascot off the field in his attempt to be the biggest dick possible. Mission accomplished.

ivn said...

for what it's worth, BGF, it's Colombian soccer so the guy will probably end up shot to death in six weeks.

also, when's the draft for the baseball league? I'd like to join, but if I can't make the draft than I'd end up checking out pretty early if I joined.

Bengoodfella said...

Ivn, I don't know if that is the appropriate punishment. I can see it happening though. I don't get why he would kick the owl. I really think it was malicious because no moron can kick an owl like that and think he is helping the owl. It's isn't a horse, when you kick an owl in the face it will die. I think he just got off kicking the other team's mascot.

It is Sunday March 27 at 1pm. We currently have 10 teams and I think the max teams I will have is 12, so sign up if you want to. I don't know if anyone else is planning on signing up or not.

FormerPhD said...

I think my feelings on the issue is pretty much in line with what's been said already, but I just have to ask one thing.

When did people become this dumb? "Hey there's a bird on the field and it got hit by the ball. Lets kick it!" Should not be the first thing that springs into someone's mind.

I feel like the problem stems from the fact that people glorify dumb and bizarre behavior as "cutting edge."

::gets off soap box, puts it away::

Dylan said...

"most pro athletes are dumber than a sack of doorknobs."

Love it. Could not have put it better myself. The part I hate the most is that this behavior is excused. As I said in the post, I'm not an animal rights activist or anything. But seriously, a tiny fine and 2 game suspension? NBA players get suspended for far less.

Bengoodfella said...

Rich, I think he was just actively trying to be an asshole. It isn't like he was out hunting owls. He just randomly kicked one. I'm not an animals activist, though I probably am more so than many other people. Still, the poor little guy raised his head and then the asshole kicked it. Why even do that? It's not even about animals rights, it is about some asshole kicking an owl for no reason. Why even do it?

It is more stupid than destructive to animals. Your "cutting edge" theory could be correct.

Dylan, I don't want to blow this out of proportion, but a person who randomly kicks a wounded animals is a person that may have some anger issues.