Open

This is a big deal.

This means nothing in terms of actual sport, but culturally, the ramifications are endless. Finally, Jason Collins is able to feel free and open with how he lives his life. Openness is the theme here. Everyone should feel open to how they live their relationships. The sport world requires machismo and toughness. Jason Collins clearly has shown in his years in the NBA that he has both. He breaks the stereotype of a gay man. A stereotype that is quickly dying when men like him and these two beardfaces come out as gay. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-awesome-bearded-guys-from-washingtons-wedding

I've seen many people on Facebook and Twitter question why this is a big deal. "It's 2013. Why does it matter what anyone's sexual orientation is now? We're in a society that will support Jason Collins, not bash him." And all of that is true. Most of the comments about Collins have been extremely positive. 

"@BruceBeck4NY: "@darrenrovell: In exactly half a day, @jasoncollins34 twitter followers grew 1873% from 3,700 to 73,000 followers." Class guy!"

But the issue is that there are still tons of people who are afraid to do what Collins did and openly profess how he really feels. Whether they are other athletes in the public eye who could face scrutiny and heckling or they are kids in high school afraid of bullies and judgement from their parents. We need to reach a society where the color of your skin, your gender, your sexual orientation, none of it, matters. Everyone deserves the basic human and American rights. Until that happens, this will continue to be a big deal. The next athlete to openly come out will be as celebrated as Jason Collins, as it should be. This is a bold move for him and he should be praised for finally being open with his feelings and who he really is. Hopefully he can play at least one more year in the NBA to see how the real reaction is from fans and players. 

Power

First of all, let me say that this issue inspired me to the point that I actually called 'The Michael Kay Show' on my commute home last night when they were discussing it. I subsequently was pulled over for using my cell phone and ticketed for cell phone usage and not being able to provide insurance (mine expired March 31st and I hadn't put the new insurance in the glove box yet). Fun times.

Anyway.

I'm writing this under the assumption that Mike Rice will be fired as head coach of the Rutgers basketball team no later than Friday. (Update: At 10 AM EST, it's been reported that Rutgers fired him. Good riddance.) After ESPN aired that video yesterday, there is no other punishment for his actions that will appease his victims, the taxpayers of NJ and the general public. Tim Pernetti should have fired him in December, but he can fix the situation now by finally doing the right thing.

Mike Rice is a bully. The video evidence proves him to be an abuser. He physically and verbally abuses his players. He is able to do that because of his power as head coach. These young adults had to take the abuse and turn the other cheek. If they spoke up or fought back, they'd likely be cut from the team and thus lose their scholarship. The Rutgers basketball team doesn't have a rich history of sending their ballplayers to the NBA. These students need their education and need their scholarship to stay in school. As you can see in the video, they're numb to the abuse. They learned quickly how the coach behaves and what to do in order to stay on the team.

Mike Rice failed at his job. His job as a coach and educator is to mold these young men into respectable adults and win games. He certainly hasn't won games at Rutgers; they haven't had a winning record since he's been head coach. And he obviously failed in educating. He's just an angry, abusive man who should be nowhere near a teaching space. In addition to not wanting him near current students, how could you expect him to recruit?

Tim Pernetti also failed at his job. Once evidence was provided that Rice was a terrible human being, the termination should have been given. The behavior, on the hours of video, proves he does not deserve to coach. Pernetti  basically covered up the situation by keeping Rice as head coach. A three game suspension for a head coach on a team that doesn't win games is nothing. After the Sandusky PSU scandal, our collective sensitivity for abuse is heightened. Because Pernetti didn't fire Rice upon first seeing the videos, he too needs to go.

The NCAA failed at their job (yet again). A head basketball coach in the best basketball conference was suspended. Did they investigate why he was suspended? If not, why not? If so, why were they OK with the self imposed punishment? The NCAA perpetually protects coaches and punishes players.
Mike Rice was free to bounce from school to school. Student athletes must sit a year regardless of why they're transferring. Coach is verbally and physically abusing you? Oh well, sit a year if you want to transfer. Coaches make millions. Players try to trade their jersey for a tattoo and they're punished. The NCAA is a hypocritical joke but they have the power. Until something more powerful than them steps in, (federal government?) the NCAA will continue to not care about the student athletes.