Professional Athletes

by Margaret Haerens (Editor), Lynn M. Zott (Editor)

Overview

Professional athletes wield a palpable power in today's social media-based world. What they do, what they wear, who they like; all of it is on display and creates trends with pop culture consumers. Is this necessarily a good thing? This collection of essays addresses several controversies related to professional athletes. Essays are arranged in a for-or-against format so readers benefit from more than one viewpoint. Readers will evaluate the role of professional athletes in society, and policies regarding performance-enhancing drugs. They will examine whether athletes' free expression should be limited, and other controversies such as gambling problems, and high salaries.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737760699
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	11/27/2013
Series:	Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 What Is the Role of Professional Athletes in Society?

Chapter Preface 20

1 Professional Athletes Are Role Models Richard Lowe 22

2 Professional Athletes Are Not Role Models Raina Kelley 27

3 Professional Athletes Are Drawn to Politics J. Patrick Dobel 32

4 Professional Athletes Should Not Become Politicians Robert Lipsyte 38

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 47

Chapter 2 How Should Pro Sports Treat Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Injuries?

Chapter Preface 49

1 Professional Athletes Should Be Allowed to Use Steroids Charles Leroux 52

2 Cheaters Do Prosper Reed Albergotti 62

3 Professional Sports Organizations Have a Responsibility to Safeguard the Health of Players Jed Hughes 68

4 Examining Death of Denver Broncos' Kenny McKinley Jon Wertheim 73

5 Is Pro Football Too Dangerous? Stu Durando 80

6 Some NFL Players Still Willing to Hide Concussions Howard Fendrich 87

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 97

Chapter 3 Should Limitations Be Placed on Athletes' Free Expression?

Chapter Preface 99

1 Professional Athletes and Managers Have the Right to Voice Controversial Opinions Nsenga K. Burton 101

2 Professional Athletes Should Refrain from Expressing Controversial Opinions Cathal Kelly 107

3 The Free Expression of Athletes Is Curbed When It Interferes with Profits Bethlehem Shoals 111

4 Professional Athletes Should Not Be Criticized for Public Religious Expression Samuel Coffin 118

5 Professional Athletes Should Not Engage in Excessive Religious Expression Jonathan Zimmerman 124

6 Social Media Can Be Beneficial for Professional Athletes Lisa Lewis 129

7 Social Media Can Be Dangerous for Professional Athletes Thomas van Schaik 133

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 139

Chapter 4 What Are Some Controversies Surrounding Professional Athletes?

Chapter Preface 141

1 Gambling Is a Problem for Professional Athletes Arnie Wexler 143

2 Gambling Is Not a Problem for Professional Athletes Brad Parks 149

3 Professional Athletes Need Better Financial Education Russ Wiles 154

4 Professional Athletes Are Overpaid Dan K. Thomasson 161

5 Professional Athletes Who Commit Crimes Receive Preferential Treatment RMuse 165

6 Professional Sports Leadership Encourages Criminality Among Athletes Holly Hughes 171

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 176

For Further Discussion 177

Organizations to Contact 179

Bibliography of Books 185

Index 188

Editorial Reviews

Review: Professional Athletes "Each volume in the Opposing Viewpoints series could serve as a model...not only providing access to a wide diversity of opinions, but also stimulating readers to do further research for group discussion and individual interest. Both shrill and moderate, the selections—by experts, policy makers, and concerned citizens—include complete articles and speeches, long book excerpts, and occasional cartoons and boxed quotations...all up to date and fully documented. The editing is intelligent and unobtrusive, organizing the material around substantive issues within the general debate. Brief introductions to each section and to each reading focus the questions raised and offer no slick answers."—Booklist

From the Publisher