From match-fixing to drug abuse, the history of sport is many-colored. To understand the full picture of the games we love and admire, we must also reflect on the darker side of sports – the deeply worrying controversies and scandals that have shaken the sports world.
This article dives into the underbelly of sports history, exploring some of the most damaging and divisive scandals that happened in the past. We’ll trace the stories step-by-step, uncovering the legacy of each of these tumultuous episodes and the lasting impact still felt today.
1. Unforgettable Debacles: Scandals That Rocked the Sports World
Buffalo Bills: The Wide Right Moment
It’s been 25 years, but football fans still remember Scott Norwood and his missed field goal on one of the biggest stages. With just over eight seconds remaining in Super Bowl XXV, Norwood stepped onto the field with 44 yards between himself and glory. Despite missing the kick, it was the determination of the Bills that will always live on – down 20-19 after going into halftime down 10-7 and having a valiant effort to rally back.
- Jim Kelly’szone blitz 23 yards for a touchdown that tied the game in the fourth quarter.
- Levon Kirkland’s sack of Jeff Hostetler in the third.
- The stout goal line defense.
The stumble by the Bills, however, will forever be remembered by the fandom and the league. What could have been their first Super Bowl triumph will go down as a missed opportunity that Norwood shouldered for eternity.
Penn State Scandal
In 2011 Penn State found themselves in a scandal more befitting of a crime novel than college sports. After a 15-month long investigation by the grand jury, it was uncovered that legendary coach Joe Paterno had overseership of a culture that allowed former coach Jerry Sandusky to sexually assault minors.
The scrutiny the university was under was unprecedented due to the scope of the news and the stature of the school. Heads rolled in the aftermath, from Paterno to president Graham Spanier, and a $60 million fine was later issued by the NCAA.
The status of Penn State will forever remain commercial; the default response to a mention of the school – “Oh, the one with the sex scandal” – is unfortunately the fate thisChoose integrity and excellence over scandal affair has left behind.
Chicago White Sox: Throwing The 1919 World Series
The effects of baseball’s most infamous scandal remain strong even over a century later. After being offered a bribe to throw the World Series, eight players on the White Sox roster accepted.
The Games themselves were beyond suspicious, due in part to the fact that the White Sox committed a total of 12 errors over the 8 games while their opponents, the Cincinnati Reds, made a minuscule two.
Ultimately, the eight players were banned from ever playing baseball professionally again by Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the newly appointed commissioner of baseball. The “Black Sox” scandal was one of the darkest moments in the history of sports, a reality that still resonates over 100 years later.
2. Rising Tensions: Controversies That Marred Athletic Careers
- Suspensions
In professional sports, suspensions are often used as a deterrent to prevent players and coaches from engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct. Although suspensions are necessary for the enforcement of the rules of the game, they can come at a high price to those punished. In recent years, suspensions have marred the careers of athletes from all walks of life.
One example is the scandal that surrounded a professional baseball pitcher accused of taking performance-enhancing drugs. After an investigation, the pitcher was given a lengthy suspension that effectively ended his career. Though the suspension eventually ended, the effects of the scandal lingered on for years.
A more severe example of an athlete who paid the price for a suspension is that of an NBA player. The player was suspended by the league for a flagrant violation of the rules of the game. Though the suspension was eventually lifted, it resulted in the player losing out on potentially millions of dollars due to his inability to play during the suspension period.
- Conflicts with Coaches and Teammates
Even in the close-knit world of sports, conflicts between coaches and players can lead to long-term grudges that can damage relationships and hamper team success. Such was the case with a former NHL player who refused to follow the orders of his coach. The result was a heated altercation between the two and the player’s expulsion from the team.
Conflicts between players can also cause tension in a team’s locker room. This was the case with a former college basketball team, where an altercation between two star players caused the team to unravel. Over the course of the season, the controversy created divisiveness and ultimately resulted in the team’s failure to reach the NCAA tournament.
Ultimately, rising tensions and controversies can have a long-lasting effect on an athlete’s career. From suspensions to interpersonal conflicts, these events can leave a mark on athletes both mentally and financially. In order to avoid such situations, athletes must learn to handle disputes in a mature and professional manner.
3. Morally Bankrupt: The Dark Side of Sports Fame
The drive to be at the top of the sports world can be an intoxicating experience. When success comes, it is often accompanied by a surge of adulation, fame, wealth, and power. But for every sensation of glory, so too the athlethe risks the darkness of morally bankrupt behaviors.
As some athletes find themselves suddenly introduced to a seemingly unending supply of money and fame, they can slip into a world of temptation and immorality.
- Alcohol Abuse: With immense amounts of success, and readily available access to alcohol, many players find that they are heavily reliant on alcohol consumption to cope with the ever increasing tension and stress performing at the highest levels requires.
- Drug Abuse: Drugs are conveniently found in the courses of life of many athletes. The pressure to perform and the pressure to stay at the top of their sport can easily lead to substance abuse and addiction.
- Gambling: With high salaries come high stakes. Unfortunately, some athletes gamble away their fortunes, whether it be in the casino or in illegal activities.
For some, the cycle between huge success and overly lavish lifestyles is too much to handle. As the saying goes, too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing. Unfortunately, this is especially true when money, fame, and power come with little guidance.
The morally bankrupt side of sports fame is no slight blemish or an unlikable character trait. It is instead an intense journey that could lead young athletes down a dangerous and destructive path. Together we need to rely on those who have gone through the same challenges and identify ways to help guide the next generation of aspiring athletes.
4. The Cost of Corruption: Uncovering the Ugly Truth
Corruption has been plaguing countries for years and it’s no wonder why it’s been so hard to contain. It’s not enough to just make laws and regulations – the only way to truly tackle endemic corruption is to have a better understanding of who’s exposed to it, how it’s taking place and what it’s costing to the country.
A good measure of how strong a country’s anti-corruption laws are can be found in its transparency index. On the lower end of the spectrum, the bribery level is high and this means that public trust is low, and the rule of law is weak which enables corruption to thrive. But things drastically change when a country begins to make an effort in improving its transparency index. The impact can be seen almost immediately – the money saved can be better used to fund public services, and the environment in which business is done becomes fairer and more competitive.
Looking a bit closer, corruption often affects the poorest countries the most. One of the most concerning aspects is healthcare – when healthcare budgets are stolen by corrupt officials, it leaves many people unable to access the treatments and medications they need. It’s even worse in remote rural areas, where families may need to pay bribes to get access to healthcare. This has a catastrophic impact on life expectancy, the quality of life and the country’s development.
The issue of corruption can be further magnified when dealing with the most vulnerable. Often, those living in poverty and the voiceless have to pay bribes to get basic services like healthcare, education, and other essential services. This acts as a double-edged sword, as the bribes are largely paid by people who can’t afford it and the public funds are then diverted away from these essential services. These are the real victims of corruption.
No country is immune to corruption, but the effects of it can be roughly measured through its level of transparency. Governments need to increase their transparency index and invest in the necessary governing structures to combat the disease of corruption. Without this effort, corruption has the potential to bring down entire governments and devastate entire countries.
Sports have been a source of joy for fans worldwide, but the “dark side” of the industry highlights a side of sports less spoken of. From the use of performance-enhancing drugs, to unsportsmanlike behavior, to bribery and match-fixing, the world of sports has its share of controversies. These scandals have made for some of the most memorable — and regretful — moments in history. While the dark side of sports continues to exist, may we all hope for more fairness, equality, and integrity within the world of sports.
