Respect for Women in Athletics

Since the night I wrote my first blog, a week or so ago, my little sister has been bugging me to write a blog that “has something to do with women sports.” I’ve been waiting for the right moment; you could say I’ve been waiting for a sign. Well, today ESPN played a feature about Kansas Jayhawks’ Men’s Basketball Strength coach, who just so happens to be a women. While watching this feature, I realized today was that day. So, here it is. 

There is one thing about women athletes and women in athletics that I think they should get more of, RESPECT. 

Though many may find it hard to sit through or watch a women’s athletic event that does not mean you can simply disrespect them for what they do. Most of them have more gumption than half the ignorant jackasses that disrespect them. 

They may not be as big or strong as male athletes but they still work their asses off.  Gone is the time where athletes, man or women, just show up to play a game. Being an athlete in the High School, College, or Professional level requires crazy work ethic and dedication. These girls go to the weight room and lift, they put on running shoes and run, and they also show up to practice and work. They do all the same things in preparing as men do, so why not show them a little more respect. 

A second reason Women Athletes should earn more respect is that they are indeed incredibly talented. Just because they are not a man does not mean they are not good at their respective sport or activity. I know many women soccer players and basketball players who would kick my ass right now in a variety of competitions. Talent does not lie within a sex; it lies within the given individual. Talent also only means so much. A man could be more talented than a woman, but if the women out trains him she’ll win. Work beats talent. 

A third reason would be that these women are just as competitive as any man. Athletics only are very competitive. It you are not competitive, you will not succeed in athletics. I know way too many people who look at a girl and cannot picture her getting intense just because she is beautiful and wears dresses and make-up. I tend to believe that my little is beautiful, however, when she loses a volleyball match, a softball game, and/or does not perform very well in the game she gets very upset, just like how I did. These girls want to do their best, they want to be great, they want to win and when they don’t they are not happy, NOTHING different from the boys.  

Also these women are very knowledgeable about their sports and what needs to be done in order to be great. By practicing and training all the time, these women learn just as much techniques and strategies’ as the men do. A prime example of this is the lead strength coach for the Kansas Jayhawks’ Men’s Basketball team. She gets those guys in shape and fine tunes their bodies for them to be great and she is the best at it. Please watch this video for more on her. 

I am also tired of the statement, “if women athletes want to be taken more seriously they should not showing themselves as sex symbols in commercials, or playboy, or,” the list just continues. Men athletes do the same. Did you not see the 30 second Super Bowl commercial where David Beckham stood only in his underwear the entire time? If you got it, flaunt it.

Women athletes also have to endure just as serious injuries as male athletes, which brings the same intense rehab treatments. Just because they are girls does not mean that they do get hurt or do treatment. They not only have to go through the same injuries as men, people forget, they also have to go through a fight with Mother Nature quite often. Because of this they should get even more respect. Many of these women, mainly in professional sports, give birth. They have to go through wild hormone changes in a nine-month span while a human being is growing within them and the deliver it. Then after birth they have to go through intense workouts in order to get back into playing shape. 

Women Athletes bleed, cry, sweat, work, train, and rehab as much as the men do. Its time they get a little respect for it. 

-JM