Sophie Gilchrist
Sports Editor
It was one of the dirtiest plays in a match I’ve seen since Zinedine Zidane’s head-butt in the 2006 World Cup. In early November, the University of New Mexico’s defender Elizabeth Lambert was suspended indefinitely for foul play in a game against Birmingham Young University (BYU).
There is a dual standard regarding gender in sports. If a woman acts overly athletic she is thought of as “manly,” as if all men are good at sports. Likewise if a woman acts overly aggressive in sports, she is often given more press exposure. If a man did the same action, game commentators only briefly analyze his behavior.
Yes, while, Lambert’s hair pulling of an opponent was obviously uncalled for, men have acted worse without receiving similar attention. The video on YouTube of Lambert’s offense during the game against BYU has had over 3.5 million views. Video clips of her aggressive behavior have additionally received airtime on not only ESPN but also on national news networks.
In one play, Lambert retaliated to an elbow in the chest by literally punching her BYU opponent in the back. While this is foul play, it is also part of the physicality of sports.
When I played soccer on a club team, my coach used to teach us that when jumping up for a header, plant your foot on your opponent’s foot so they cannot jump up to compete against you for the ball.
When an athlete signs up to play a sport, unless he or she is planning on playing miniature golf, the athlete signs up for physical and dirty play. To be honest, that’s part of the fun of sports.
Just because I am a girl does not mean that I cannot steal a ball with a slide tackle, just as the guys do. And when I do make that slide tackle, that does not mean that I want any more exposure and shock than a boy making that slide tackle would get.
Dirty plays often don’t come in punches to the back or stomping on an opponent’s foot. Foul language can as abusive. During this year’s U.S. Open, Serena Williams launched into a sideline referee threatening she would take the tennis ball and put it in a place that isn’t fit for print.
I overheard an ESPN reporter say, “unsportsmanlike conduct is a universal penalty, it applies to every sport on every level and you know it when you see it but what is rare is when women athletes are involved in any of this type of behavior.” If this is not an example of the double standards, I do not know what else is.
We cannot accept tantrum after tantrum from John McEnroe, with the excuse “Oh, but it’s just McEnroe,” or should accept Michael Vick’s apology for his dog fights. Some are calling for a life-ban from soccer for Lambert for her aggressive play. Women are still fighting for civil rights in the world of athletics.