Bullying

The Reality and Effect in Sports

What is Bullying???

“A person in power/people in power harass

the less powerful.”

- Coaches

- Teammates

- Parents (of teammates / opposing teams)

- Peers (not on team)

- Opposing fans / players

Where Bullying can occur!

- Locker Room

- Field or Gym

- Dorm Room

- Coaches office

- At home

- Traveling (Games / School)

- Weight Room

The Reality of Bullying

Bullying Happens at different levels

- Professional, Collegiate, High School

Physical and Nonphysical

- Language, Inappropriate touching

Hazing

- Happens at all levels

Bullying in Professional Sports

Inappropriate content

- Pornography

Racist or Sexist Jokes

- insulting sexualty or religion

Physical Violence

- Hitting or Horseplay

Bullying in Pro Sports (Continued)

Examples : Dallas Cowboys Rookie Wide

Receiver Dez Bryant refuses to carry Veteran

Roy Williams pads. This is a ritual form of

hazing. For declining to carry the pad, Bryant

is left with a $54,896 dinner tab, after Roy

Williams invites not just offensive players but

defensive players to Bryant’s team dinner.

(espn.go.com)

Example : Jonathan Martin and Richie

Incognito Saga. Incognito was accused of

bullying teammate Martin while both were on

the Miami Dolphins. Phone calls included

threats, inappropriate language, etc. The

case made national news and questioned the

NFL’s policy on bullying.

(espn.go.com)

Bullying in Pro Sports (Continued)

Bullying in Collegiate Sports

Hazing is most prevalent

- To perform embarrassing acts to be

accepted.

- Drinking games

- Vandalism

- Physical Violence

- Inappropriate sexual acts

Bullying in Collegiate Sports (cont.)

- 80% of college athletes report they have

been hazed. (Alfred University)

- 50% of hazing involved the use / abuse of

alcohol

- 20% of college deans know of hazing

rituals

“ Several deaths have occurred, but no “real” research

has been done to see how many” (cornell university)

Bullying in High School Sports

22,000 Kids reported being the

victim of hazing in sports

(active.com)

- 48% of children polled

Bullying in highschool is

prevalent within in the team and

from outside.

Effect of Bullying

Signs and Symptoms of Bullying

- Loss of Focus / Change in Character

- Play / Performs tentatively

- Anxious

- Drops out of Competition / Quits sport all

together

- Reluctant to tell coaches / parents

How to prevent Bullying?

Who do bullies target?

- Smaller

- Overweight

- More gifted

Coaches / Parents set the culture

- BE APPROACHABLE

- LISTEN and WATCH

How to prevent Bullying (Cont.)

Mentally Tough

- Stay Confident

- Be kind, but be ASSERTIVE

Counter Bullies

- Come up with respectful rebuttals

- Initiate positive conversation with bully

(sports questions, team oriented, etc.)