These days, football has never been more popular – or polarizing.
Instead of talk about the game itself, there's a growing debate about violence in the sport.
In the last weeks, four NFL players have been sidelined for domestic and child abuse charges, and with the arrest of McGill Redmen player Luis Guimont-Mota, the issue is hitting close to home.
Despite what many have said about the link between football and violence, former Montreal Alouette and RDS commentator Matthieu Proulx says we shouldn't blame the game – in fact, he says the sport serves as an outlet for the people who play it.
“I don't believe at all that football breeds violence. I believe the opposite. Some people say football is a violent sport, it attracts violent people -- maybe it does to a certain extent. But I think it's a contact sport that demands respect, discipline, hard work, teamwork... I think it's so good for our youth that we can’t just blame it,” he said.
Tom Caplan, the director of McGill’s domestic violence clinic, says while there are similarities in the characteristics of great athletes and of those who perpetrate domestic violence, there is no evidence that proves athletes are implicated in these cases more than non-athletes.
“If you look at the reality that violence in any circumstance, especially in domestic violence is about power and control, you could argue that part of their personality is being so driven and to be the best at something,” he said
He says football is a billion-dollar business and how leagues and schools handle these challenges won't just affect their bottom line.
“If different sports take up the challenge of advocating for non-violence or not accepting violence in relationships, then people might get the message to also jump in and take that stand,” Caplan said.
