Bullying football player for pick up line ‘unjust’

Someone is being held accountable for something they said in front of tens of thousands of people? Say it ain’t so! How unjust! 

Actually, welcome to the real world. If the point of higher education is to prepare students to succeed, they should probably expect to be responsible for their actions, just like everyone else. 

1st amendment.  If I have to walk by “Evolution is a lie” signs on campus in the name of free speech I certainly expect that the student body would not advocate for censorship or self-censorship in the arena of “pick-up lines” which are inherently a genre of humor that plays upon the conception that women must be manipulated through false praise. The humor lies in the fact that its generally accepted that they are inappropriate or ill advised, making the pick up lines and not just greetings or compliments.  The point is, the context the player made the comment in was already predisposing him towards a certain type of humor and when that expression of free speech is not directly harmful (emphasis on directly) to a specific person or persons it is acceptable, advisable? maybe not. But certainly acceptable.

I never once said this student football player should not be held responsible, I am simply saying let him apologize and be done with it. He is a human being like the rest of us and I am SURE we all have said one thing or another in our lives that we found hilarious that offended another. In his case it was in front of 32,000 people; the media department who let it air is to blame for that “oops”.

IF this is a case of free speech then let’s start bringing some racist anti jewish gay jokes on the screen next game. But one thinks that being a rep for a university means keeping a professional attitude. Of course this is Wyoming. Professional and class doesn’t really exist hand in hand for this state.

This
is a good point. That would be an example of directly harmful speech. My
argument is more about context than anything. The player is being reprimanded
for saying something with in the context of a “pick-up line”
exhibition. Now if that little girl had instead asked of the players “what
is the best anti-Semitic joke?” And then we singled out the player with
the most offensive one while letting all the priest and rabbi jokes slip. We
would again be taking a player’s remarks out of context and misplacing blame.
You see my point? Blame should not be leveled at someone who is working within
predetermined circumstances but should instead be aimed at those who set the
circumstances.

Unbelievable! Directly harmful speech?! How about a directly harmful act! What purpose does chloroform serve outside of a laboratory? The question of context is irrelevant. It does not matter if the comment was referenced from a movie. It is actually worse considering the question he was asked. When a person shoves a napkin laced with chloroform under someones nose, it is not intended for beneficial purposes. Coach Christensen owes the student body an apology, he is responsible for the conduct of his players. The person in charge of the production of this video needs to be fired. The University of Wyoming needs to send a strong message to all that sexual violence against women in not tolerated at this institution. Everyone defending this players comment should feel ashamed of themselves. RAPE JOKES ARE NOT FUNNY!

 taking a player’s remarks out of context…? So what you are saying is that women should just accept the fact that jokes of rape and assault on their bodies are proper pick up lines? Saying this rape joke is not out of context and just part of a Pick-up line exhibition makes it seem ok to joke about assault and rape in the first place. My friend had someone try this line at her in a bar. He was drunk and aggressive and thought he’d just be a smart*** and quote this. Well it wasn’t funny to her, and he realized it too when he woke up with a black eye and severe pain in his genital region. You seem to think that jokes about rape are ok for pick up lines, when in actuality that raises a culture who thinks less of the seriousness of such a grievous crime.

Free speech doesn’t guarantees a person the legal right to speak, not freedom from criticism of his/her speech by other members of the community. 

Apologies: I meant Free speech *does* guarantee a person the legal right to speak; but does *not* guarantee freedom from criticism of that speech. 

If we really have to make this such a technical issue, let’s just think for a moment.. do you really think any woman would actually sniff a napkin if a guy asked her if it smells like chloroform?  I still can’t believe the original letter implied the University and the UW football program is advocating and encouraging rape.. because Pistol Pete has a pair of holstered guns does that mean the Cowboys advocate handgun violence?  (his first name is Pistol for crying out loud)… because the cheerleaders run a pony around the field is that advocating animal abuse?  Because they fire a canon after touchdowns does that mean UW advocates war?  I know rape is a horrible, horrible thing, but I think this is too much for a five second clip.

Uh, yeah. I lot of people would agree with all of those statements. Signs and symbols are not to be dismissed just because they’re fun to watch.

Now you’re thinking.

I understand full well, or at least sincerely hope, that he didn’t intend to imply that drugging and raping people is acceptable.  But that is still the message that was sent to everyone.  I can certainly forgive a mistake, but I do expect that the mistake be corrected as well.  Also, Pistol Pete may have Pistols (this is, after all, Wyoming), but you can be sure that if they did a skit on the field of him executing the other team’s mascot, there would be an uproar.

As for whether someone would actually sniff the napkin in that situation: 1. Chloroform works whether you inhale it intentionally or accidentally; the only way you could be safe in that situation is to hold your breath and run, which are two things that are very difficult to do at the same time. 2.  It doesn’t really matter if the napkin actually has chloroform on it in the first place, let alone if the victim inhales.  What is damaging is the concept that drugging someone as a means of “picking them up” can be considered humorous.  It is rape, and rape cannot ever be made out to be something to be laughed at; the consequences are too severe.

I said “reprimanded,” but I did not make a specific call for him to be kicked off the team, or anything like that.  The appropriate action depends on whether he did just intend it to be a joke, and how he reacts when someone explains to him why it was inappropriate and damaging.  If he apologizes for the mistake and corrects himself, that would be perfectly acceptable.  I do expect more from the other people involved in the segment’s production, however; a college student saying something they don’t fully understand is one thing, paid professionals not catching that mistake and proceeding to show it to a huge crowd is much worse.

Correct. People are free to alocate blame however they like. Putting it all on one student disregarding the context in which he was acting seems excessive.

I agree in principle with almost everything you’re saying.
You’ve at least had the good sense to spread the blame beyond just the one
student, which was the crux of my argument. Taking responsibility back to the
decision to feature a “pick up line” bit is more in line with the
wider sins of a society permissive of jokes of this kind. The context I was referring
to is not the movie, I’m not even sure what movie he was alluding to, so the
knowledge of the jokes origin is indeed irrelevant. However, the context I was referring
to was the situation the player made the remark in. Refer back to my anti-Semitism
example of why it’s inappropriate to blame the individual entirely for a
response that was fitting within the norms of the situation he was responding
to. Not that he doesnt share some of the blame. But, he doesnt need to suffer for the sins of an entire culture.

You seem to think I’m a fan of pick-up lines. I’m not. They are an awkward expression of some deeper undercurrent in society. If we want to seek out and eradicate the sources of misogyny in our current culture the correct place to start is not by blaming the ills of our entire nation on one student. My defense is of one student, not a culture permissive of disrespect to women. The blame should not fall solely on his shoulders for the reasons I’ve stated in my first comments. Punishment should be corrective not vindictave with an emphasis on a civil dialogue and mutual respect.

I’m in agreement with your stance. I came to this debate to defend an individual who was being attacked without regard to the context of his statements or the others who were involved. I think you can advocate for a little more compassion for this individual player without disregarding the fact that his comment was inappropriate and that as a culture we need to have a little more discussion about these lingering misogynistic tendencies. Going after one kid for one remark is not going to solve the problem. The larger discussion we can have as a result might be more useful.

I’m resigning from the UW athletic department. I see this player everyday (and I wonder if he meant it as a joke, I know he did, but my brain won’t quit), I know of some of you, and it’s sickening to know you think it’s ok to laugh at a joke and tell a joke that is basically about how I was violated. I voiced this, I was told to get therapy. I have been in therapy for 5 YEARS! I went to the game and I have felt sick ever since. He may as well have said does this drink taste funny BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED TO ME! I don’t care it was in a movie. I. Don’t. Care. It’s sicker because IT WAS IN A MOVIE. It’s even worse that this was a pre-taped segment and someone, anyone could have put the brakes on but NOT ONE PERSON THOUGHT TO DO THAT. 

I woke up in my rapist’s bed. He was my boyfriend, angry that I wouldn’t give it up. I went to the police, I went through the exam, and pressed charges. He wound up pleading guilty to simple assault, a misdemeanor because the prosecutor was worried that I wasn’t beaten up, there was a question of consent that it was he said she said. He drugged me, but his attorney said I was a prude who drugged herself to be less inhibited. He lives in Laramie now. He moved here to take a job. He used to joke about rape, actually. And he is a rapist. 
I cannot believe the type of people attending this university. All of you justifying this can rot in hell. I’m already there, thank you. Words and jokes have power you assholes.

I’m very sorry to hear that.  You are not the person who should have to upend your life over this.  The people responsible for it should be doing something, anything to correct their mistake.

I wish you all the best!