Aggression & Crime in Professional Sports Heath Benker, Emily Metschke, Cole Stuerke, Brian Bresee

Breakdown Types of aggression What leads to aggressive play General Population vs. Pro Athletes Correlation between athletic violence and “real world” violence Public Views Crime, Aggression, and Athletes

Introduction Definition: Angry or violent behavior or feelings. What do you think of when you think of aggression and sports? Do you think athletes are encouraged to be aggressive?

Types of Aggression Hostile: When the main aim is to cause harm or injury to your opponent. Anger is involved. ex: Throwing a punch at another player. Assertive: When aggression is used with the prime motive of executing the skill. Player plays within the rules of the sport at a very high intensity, but will have no intention to harm an opponent. Making a tackle in football.

Types of Aggression cont... Four Types: Brutal Body Contact Borderline Violence Quasi-Criminal Violence Criminal Violence

What Leads to Aggression What situations during games lead you to become more aggressive?

What Leads to Aggression Being fouled Urged by crowd Anger Poor performance Learned behavior Poor call by ref Urged by opposing player

Aggression & Sports It’s always been a concern in sports. In 1906 18 football players died due to the violent nature and even more were severely injured. Although sport encourages a healthy release of anger or aggression. Sporting events are accepted as a setting where everyday societal morals no longer apply. To be more competitive players are encourage to be aggressive This can lead to the use of performance drugs “Good” players must have tough and aggressive demeanor on court.

Aggression & Crime Can you think of any crimes that are prevalent in the sports community?

Aggression & Crime Rape Domestic Violence Murder Assault

General Population vs. NFL Which group do you think has a higher arrest rate? Why?

General Population vs. NFL Average annual assault rate (per 100,000): NFL - 4,271 Gen. Pop. - 9,199 Most common crimes committed by NFL players (in order) Assault (Non-DV) Domestic Violence Rape Kidnapping Homicide

Public View and Studies Benedict and Klein (1997) 217 sexual assault complaints filed (21% receive no action) 172 athletes arrested Conviction Rates - Athletes = 31% - Gen. Pop. = 54%

Why the Discrepancies? Victim Consent Perceptions Sex-Segregated grouping/Mono-sexual environments Hyper-masculinity sports

Examples Hope Solo Michael Irving & Eric Williams Grambling State Football Team vs. 15 year old girl Mike Tyson O.J. Simpson Bounty Gate

Questions Do you think the locker room and/or mono-sexual environment is the major catalyst for aggression outside of the sport? Do you believe that the aggressive nature of a sport directly relates to aggressive behavior towards others? How much of a role does media have in persuading the general population about athletes and aggressive crimes? Do you think the rate of convictions for violent crimes has gone up or down?

Sources Crist, P., & Miller, S. (2009). The media's treatment of sexual assault by athletes in a post-rape reform era: How do victims fare? (pp. 7-13). University of Delaware. Retrieved March 28, 2015. Ellis, R. (2015, January 22). Hope Solo suspended from U.S. Soccer Team for 30 days - CNN.com. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/21/sport/hope-solo-suspended/ Finn, N. (2015, March 27). Hopo Solo Went Into Therapy During U.S. Soccer Suspension. Retrieved from http://www.eonline.com/news/640469/hope-solo-reveals-she-entered-therapy-to-address-pain-and-anger-during-30-day-suspension-from-u-s-soccer-team Solo Domestic Abuse Charges Dropped. (2015, January 14). Retrieved from http://espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/12162480/hope-solo-domestic-violence-charges-dropped Stevens, C. (2012). A Review of Literature. In Violence By Male Athletes (pp. 1-5). Plymouth, New Hampshire: Plymouth State University. Retrieved March 28, 2015. Blumstein, A., & Benedict, J. (n.d.). Criminal Violence of NFL Players Compared to the NFL Population. Retrieved March 30, 2015. Coakley, J. (2004). Sport in society: Issues and controversies (8th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.