NFL Partnering with sport in society.

Sport in society usually educates and supports emerging leaders and organizations within sports with the awareness of knowledge and skills to implement innovative and imapctful solutions for social change. In area as leadership, healthy development, diversity and inclusion, violence prevention, community building, community service and civic engagement. So when I heard about the NFL partnering with sport in society I thought that was really interesting. Boston, MA making an effort to ensure professional, inclusive working environments for its teams and personnel, the National Football League is partnering workplace-conduct program. Sport in Society is the world’s foremost authority in providing professional development and consulting for organizations that use sport as a tool to promote social responsibility.

Reaffirming the league’s commitment to professional conduct in the workplace, the NFL is instituting this training program to reinforce the social and moral responsibility of those who represent the NFL and make certain that this continues to be an integral part of the NFL culture.

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North Korea Gymnasts Banned from 2012 Olympics

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) ruled that Hong Su Jong listed three different birth dates in registering for international competitions since 2003 until this year. This means that she would have been too young to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Age falsification has been a problem in gymnastics since the 1980s. The minimum age was raised from 14 to 15 to help protect still-developing athletes from serious injuries in the 80's. Since 1997 however, gymnasts must turn at least 16 in the calendar year of an Olympics to be eligible. "The FIG's decision is a clear signal to those who would willfully disregard the current rules surrounding gymnast age," the FIG said in a statement. "The health of its athletes and respect for the law are among the International Gymnastics Federation's highest priorities." With that being said, last Friday the federation said it was effectively banning North Korea from any competition outside its borders until Oct. 5, 2012. In the ruling, Hong was also barred from national competitions and the North Korean federation also was fined $20,800. This kind of behavior shown from North Korea falls under over-conformity to norms, but in this case they are not playing through injury but through age. I understand where North Korea is coming from working in the gymnastics industry myself. I know that athletes peak at a young age in gymnastics due to their flexibility and strength but, at the same time, during a child's adolescence is when they are growing developing the most. I find it inconsiderate of coaches to not take that into account when they are trying to force their athletes into the Olympics.

Newton wins the Heisman

This past Saturday, Auburn's Cam Newton won the heisman trophy despite his stained story of the NCAA determining that his father tried to make him go to Mississippi State so he could get $180,000. However, the NCAA cleared him to play because they had no proof or any type of evidence that showed he or Auburn knew about his father's scheme. they're still investigating the story but Cam Newton has denied doing anything wrong. However, many are speculating that this story might just be a repeat like the one of Reggie Bush and that he may end up having to return his trophy. As far as right now, the only thing thaat has been done is that the NCAA has decided not to punich Cam Newton but to limit his father's access to Auburn athletics. His father was not in attendance at hte Heisman ceremony which stirred up a lot of talk but his father said it was simply because he did not want to "rob cam of this sacred moment". espite this investigation, it didnt keep voters from making their choice and making Newton one of the most voted players ever. My personal opinion is that as far as everyone is concerned the only one who did anything wrong in this situation is Cam's father. I don't think that Cam Newton should be robbed of his trophy just for what his father did. He earned that and despite arguments, he should be able to keep it. He worked hard and as long as his father has limited access it shouldnt happen again, also because its speculated that Cam Newton will easily be an NFL draft pick.

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San Francisco Fog Rugby

San Francisco’s premier Division III club rugby team is a team known as the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club. The team boasts full men’s and women’s sides as well as being active in the community with the development of the Fog Lions Youth Rugby Team. The team has an impressive record and by all accounts seems like your typical men’s club rugby organization. However, there is one thing that sets Fog Rugby apart from almost all other clubs in the United States, and possibly the world. The vision of this club is to become “the preeminent rugby club in the world that actively pursues the participation of people of color, gay men, women, and other groups traditionally underrepresented in rugby” (SFFog.org). The club was founded by three former college rugby players who were unable to find a gay-friendly rugby club in their community. Having been a rugby player for nearly ten years, I will absolute attest to the fact that unfortunate as it may be, rugby is not a gay-friendly community. However, I feel this can be said just as much if not more in other men’s sports. I believe that what the SF Fog is doing can bring nothing but positive results not only for the rugby community but the sports community at large. Furthermore, the club actually competes fairly well despite preconceived notions about gay men and masculinity involved with rugby. The SF Fog is an excellent example of a group of people who saw what they felt was a problem with the sports community and took action to change it, rather than act victimized.
More about the fog @ sffog.org
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Matt Kinsel 006912891

Dog Vs. Human

All this talk about Michael Vick...Michael Vick should be MVP, Michael Vick has had a phenomenal season, Michael Vick is being treated unfairly by the officials...The one remark that bothers me the most is "Michael Vick does not deserve to play football." Says who?! Who are we to judge? And how does a player's actions off the field differentiate them from the rest the world? Back in 2006, Vick was considered the most exciting player in the game by anyone who had ever laid eyes on him and his ability to kill a defensive strategy...Then the accusations of dog abuse surfaced. When the authorities realized they wouldn't be able to prosecute Vick on these "accusations" alone, they quickly turned to his "friends" to forcefully help them build a case against Vick. By 2007, Vick had been tried, ultimately accepted what he thought would be a plea deal, & escorted off to begin serving his time. The prosecution recommened 12-18 months for his crime of bankrolling a $34,000 dogfighting ring. His punishment: 12 months for bankrolling, and an additional 11 months for being "uncooperative"...Even though he copped the plea and proceeded with a confession. He lost his NFL contract and all lucrative endorsements, totaling what many believe to be around the $142 million dollar mark. Vick served his time, has been a stellar parolee, still does an enormous amount of giving back to the community including his new projects with PETA and other various animal rights groups; not even beginning to mention what he has done on the field. The man has become a model citizen. And still, he has no place in the league? After 23 months off, the average athlete would not even be in shape to play at the NFL level...And still the man does not deserve to be where he is?! As Americans, we are taught that this is the land of the free...the home of the brave...So when does it become okay for us to have abortions and that not be considered a premeditated murder against...get this...A HUMAN?! The child is living and breathing in the womb...The mother can go to any local Planned Parenthood and plan to have her baby killed, even if she is a minor and without her parent's consent! But there's no charge for this crime...The city even funds this murder for those who are considered "low income" individuals. So when does the crime against killing a human being become less harsh then that of an animal? Donte Stallworth...Back in 2008, struck a man and killed him while driving drunk in his 2005 Bentley. His sentence? 30 days in jail, 2 years on house arrest, 8 years probation (PROBATION, NOT PAROLE), 1,000 hours of community service and a lifetime driver's liscense suspension that will most likely be lifted sooner for good behavior (as if he doesn't need a driver when he's drunk anyway). He was suspended for the 2009 NFL season as well. He killed a 59 year old man with a family because he wanted to drink a drive his Bentley. Does Vick's punishment equal that of Stallworth's? Since when does a dog's life become more important than that of a humans? Stallworth served his time in all aspects and is moving on with his NFL career...Still, I hear no one even mention the fact that he does not belong on the field because he killed a human being~! Ben Roethlisberger...Prior to the 2010 NFL season beginning, Ben Roethliseberger found himself in the midst of yet his 3rd rape charge. Just like all of the other women who accused him in previous meetings with various police departments in the U.S., they gave their statements of how they were forced to have sex with Ben and that his entourage of "big bodyguards" set these women up to be alone, and only let Ben get to them to take advantage...And just like all of the rest, this 3rd charge has also been dismissed with no tests being ran or evidence collected by officials in an attempt to prosecute this man that is repeatedly degrading women and getting away with it. The NFL suspended him for 6 games...Nothing compared to the emotional trauma and lack of self worth that these women will suffer because of what Ben has put them through. They go back home, only to be ridiculed and publicly humiliated in their own city; just for coming forward and speaking out against a man who is doing the wrong thing. So when does it become okay to take what you want from a woman and never see the inside of a jail cell, but you must serve 23 months for the death of a dog? At Michael Vick's sentencing, the judge told him that he should apologize to the millions of fans and especially the children around the world who looked up to him. Officials at Virginia Tech even considered tearing down the building that he funded. Of course, they take all of that back now...But what message are we sending to the public (especially our children) when millions of Americans abort/kill humans everyday and players like Stallworth and Roethlisberger can get away with the murder and rape of a human being? What do you think?
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