Its absolutely amazing to me, to hear the public and especially the corporate backlash, being directed at the National Hockey League, after Bruins blue liner,Zdeno Chara, escaped any punitive actions from the league, after his hit on the Habs Max Pacioretty into a stanchion, holding up the glass, between the team benches, left the Montreal forward with a severe concussion, and a fractured vertebra in his neck. It was very fortunate that he was not left paralyzed.
Maybe the league should have penalized Chara a few games, in the form of a suspension, because of the injury, but it certainly wasn’t the most vicious hit that I have ever seen. Some form of punishment, would have pre-empted the backlash that has erupted from league sponsors like Quebec based Air Canada, and Via Rail. ( Would both companies have spoken out, if they were headquartered elsewhere in Canada ? )
What I find remarkably hypocritical in all of this, is the fact that the province of Ontario, worked relatively quickly to sanction professional Mixed Martial Arts, so the UFC can stage their massive money making events in Toronto, and elsewhere, with the province enjoying the tax benefits of a sold out Rogers Centre, and other similar future events. Even though the UFC has an excellent track record so far in terms of safety, the sport itself allows the combatants to deliver blows to certain parts of the head involving elbows,knees,and fists. So even if a fighter doesn’t suffer any concussion right away, have any neurologists been consulted on the long term risks to the brain of these fighters, based on receiving repeated blows to the skull over many years ? Although I am not a physician, I would have a hard time believing that this type of activity can be safe. How would this be potentially any different, then what we are hearing about some former professional football players developing brain disorders later in life, because of repeated blows to the skull ? Have these important questions been answered by any medical experts yet ?
Having participated in kick boxing as a student, at Twin Dragon Kick Boxing and Kung-Fu Club in Toronto, when I was a teenager, I am fully in favor of the fighters being able to compete, if they are willing to take the risk, and the sporting public wants to pay to watch them fight. I have no problem with them, or the UFC. What I do find disturbing, is the hypocrisy from corporations, the government, and some fans. Why is it ok to have an athlete’s skull subjected to various types of hits in one sport, but not another ? I’m not saying that hockey should allow deliberate hits to the head with intent to injure. But why is that perfectly ok in professional mixed martial arts ? How come corporations don’t mind that sports fans in southern Ontario, and elsewhere around the world, are paying big bucks to watch professional fighters in the upcoming UFC event at the Rogers Centre in April, when everyone knows the fights include blows to the head ? As long as the event comes under the banner of Mixed Martial Arts, it seems that “head shots” are no longer a concern, like they are in hockey and football. Why is that ?
If injuries to the brain are a concern to Canadian corporations and the public in hockey, shouldn’t these same corporations and individuals be vigilant with all professional sports ? Why is hockey, and the NHL being singled out ?
It’s about time that those who sincerely feel that athletes and the public need to be protected, apply the same concern and standards across the board in all sports, not just one. There should be no favorites, when it comes to safety, if those speaking out on it are sincere, as opposed to having some kind of personal agenda, beyond the awareness of most observers.