Though, I am sure some people appreciated the apology, I must say that I think it is completely unnecessary. Copeland is a grown man who is responsible. He has a job, makes his own income and should be able to do as he pleases. Many critics made comments about a potential curfew for players. That idea is completely absurd in my opinion. Why should he have to apologize for something that could have happened to anyone. Feldman (2015) states, "He is the victim. Yet, he's also apologizing" (para. 3). The Pacers played the next day at 7pm, which gave Copeland plenty of time to rest prior to the game. It is important for these highly publicized athletes to be aware of their surroundings and conscious of potential dangerous situations, but it is not Copeland's fault that he was stabbed, nor should he have to apologize for that night.
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| Shevoy Bleary-Murdock (left) is accused of stabbing Chris Copeland outside of 1OAK on Wednesday, April 8th. |
References:
Feldman, D. (2015, April 9). Chris Copeland apologizes for being out late, which is completely unnecessary. NBC Sports. Retrieved from http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/09/chris-copeland-apologizes-for-being-out-late-which-is-completely-unnecessary/
Strachan, M. (2015, April 9). Chris Copeland Apologizes For Being Out Late The Night He Was Stabbed. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/09/chris-copeland-apology_n_7034298.html
Marissa Tashenberg
I believe this is a tough situation to judge without actually being at the scene of the crime. I agree with Marissa in that he is an adult and should be able to do what he pleases when he wants to. Copeland should have access to the freedoms that all adults have access to without feeling like he is overstepping his boundaries. On the other hand, Copeland is a professional athlete. To be in a social setting where it is very late at night and alcohol is involved may lead to unfortunate circumstances such as the stabbing incident he endured the other night. People may take advantage of the opportunity to attack an athlete when they are not protected by bodyguards or behind a guardrail. This being said, it is up to the athlete’s discretion as to when he or she should remove himself or herself from a situation that may lead to problems that are outside of their control. A professional athlete should know that their behaviors are viewed both on and off the court. While some fans may simply want autographs or pictures, other spectators may want to cause injury or pain to these athletes. The athletes must put themselves in situations where they can either detect a possible altercation, or provide themselves with some sort of protection to assure that unexpected dangers may not occur. Examples include riskier locations such as any place with alcohol (bars, night clubs, crowded sporting events) or darker, more secluded areas with little supervision.
ReplyDeleteKali Morgenstern
I am okay with him apologizing. He was out at 4am the night before a game. Even though the game was at 7pm, I'm sure they had meetings and shoot-arounds during the day. There was really no reason for hi to be out so late. Obviously, he is a victim, but he maybe could have lowered his chances of being in an altercation if he was not out so late.
ReplyDeleteProfessional athletes have to realize that they are ALWAYS in the spotlight. When you are out until 4am, people are going to look at you in a negative light if something unexpected happens. Chris Copeland could have helped himself by being home earlier.
Derek Shay
Amanda Notley
ReplyDeleteI do not think that he should of had to of apologized. This situation was completely out of his hands and he was the victim of this whole scenario. There is no way that a curfew should be instilled for professional athletes. They are grown men and if they decide to be out late at a night club than that is their own decision. Professional athletes already have enough rules and regulations that they must live by and adding a curfew will just be too much. It would be crossing the line and going to far in controlling the lives of professional athletes. This is getting too involved in their person life which is already invaded enough by paparazzi and other media. At what point do they realize that professional athletes are ordinary people with ordinary lives. I feel as if a curfew would just cause an uproar in all athletes and they would get fed up with the whole thing and go on strike or quit altogether.
I think it is a bit unethical for Copeland to be out and about the night before a game. Its selfish and not the way he should be representing the Indiana Pacers or the NBA for that matter. Unfortunately Copeland is a grown man and will obviously do what he wants since the NBA rules aren’t too strict with the athletes since they are at usually 24-35 year old men who make millions and millions of dollars. With that being said I am definitely okay with him apologizing. He made a poor decision to go out when he has a game the following night. He could have gotten him and his fiancé killed when he could’ve avoided all of this and had a quiet night in with his lady. Hopefully this is a wakeup call to the players and the NBA. Maybe the NBA will look in to trying to change the rules and not allow athletes to be out like that when there is a game to be played the next night.
ReplyDeleteJasmine Matthews
Marissa,
ReplyDeleteI would say that Copeland was correct in apologizing for being out at 4am the night before a game but I don't think an apology is necessary for what happened to him. It could have happened to anyone at any time, realistically. He does have responsibilities to his team and teammates, like morning meetings and shoot-arounds, so I am sure he would have been impacted in some way by his being out so late. Also, I don't think there needs to be a curfew, but the players do need to use their own judgment on what is appropriate. They are adults and need to act accordingly; professionals making the amount of money they do in other industries don't behave like college kids. They need to consider the impact it might have on themselves, their teammates, and the organization they play for. The Pacers now have to deal with him missing time and with the public relations aspect of the incident. It is a major negative for everyone involved.
Joey Durant