Deviance in Sport: Ndamukong Suh

Link to Article: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/27/report-at-least-two-game-suspension-expected-for-suh/

           In class on November 3^rd, 2011, we started to discuss the topic of deviance in sport.  This is also discussed in Coakley’s text, starting on page 154.  In this article, it is explained that Ndamukong Suh may face a possible two game suspension for his wrongful actions on the field.  On the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Packers, Suh engaged in an altercation with a Green Bay player.  He was seen on national television slamming this player’s head into the ground then he proceeded to stand up and stomp on this player’s arm.  This deviant act, which is explained by Coakley on page 157 as an action that is perceived by others as not being accepted in society, will not be tolerated by the NFL, especially when Suh has had a history of being a “dirty player.”  This form of deviance is what we described in class as being an “on the field” form of deviance.  Coakley, on page 172, defines on the field deviance being forms of cheating, gambling, throwing games, violating rules, and even fighting.  Coakley also states that these forms of deviance are less common today, but when they do happen, the media explodes them and makes the perception of the abundance of deviant acts greater than what it actually is.  Coakley is definitely correct with the way the media portrays these deviant acts, making it seem like there is more bad than good, but that is not the case with Mr. Suh.  Suh decided to show his anger on national television with millions watching, so he is not necessarily helping change people’s perceptions on deviance in sport.  Overall, deviance in sport is present on and off the field/court, but most of the time, it’s the heavy media attention that leads to the perception of athletes constantly engaging in deviance.