The NBA has taken the first of what must be many steps to bring civility back to its arenas. The lengthy suspensions handed out after Friday’s repulsive brawl between Indiana Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans were a tough, appropriate response.
But there is so much more to do. The NBA, other sports associations and the rest of us must do the real work of resetting expectations for how we deal with each other. Behavior in sports venues is exaggerated by adrenaline and alcohol, but it’s a reflection of how we interact outside the arena. Why should we expect fans and athletes to act differently than the rest of society?
Fighting has become a sad staple in today’s sports world. Hockey, football and baseball have all seen infamous examples lately, and there can be little doubt that young athletes are influenced by it. Similarly, fans are more emboldened to taunt than ever before. Examples have filtered down from the pro and college ranks to the high schools.
Fists are an extension of angry words, and angry words surround us these days, particularly on the airwaves. Political discourse seems to get more aggressive and bitter every year, fueled by the in-your-face style of some cable TV and talk radio shows. Our towns seem less connected, and cultural silos keep people from getting to know and appreciate each other. There’s too much “them” and not enough “us.”
Our key institutions of learning – schools, churches, and especially families – have a leading role to play in teaching respect, real respect that’s rooted in kindness and trust. At the same time, they must continue to reinforce standards of behavior that allow us to deal effectively with each other. When fans at high school events cross a line by personally taunting athletes, they should be removed.
Pro and college leagues also must expect and enforce higher standards for their players and fans. Individual teams need to provide ample security to keep crowds under control, and they should insist that fans adhere to an acceptable standard of civility. The Mariners have set a good example of this, refusing to tolerate boorish or obnoxious behavior in the stands at Safeco Field.
The NBA, in suspending one player for the season and two others for about a third of it, responded swiftly and wisely to Friday’s incident. That, however, mustn’t be the end of it.
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