A Regretful Lambert Speaks Out

2 weeks later and we’re still talking about it. And for the first time, so is she.

A more subdued University of New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert recently spoke out for the first time since her highly publicized violent play.

Her apologetic comments seem sincere; the academic all-star admits to simply losing her head during the match and acknowledges that her behaviour was inappropriate. She does, however, say that the referee lost control of the game, and concedes that “it would have been a very different game” had more cards been handed out.

More appalling than her behaviour were the anonymous comments she received post-match, one of which stated that she should be “…taken to a state prison, raped, and left for dead in a ditch.” Male suitors sent her messages asking if she’d like to meet up. “That appalled me,” she said. “A lot of people think I have a lot of sexual aggression. I was like ‘Woah, no, I don’t feel that way at all. That’s bizarre and shocking to me.”

In an effort to restore her credibility and to earn herself a spot on next year’s squad, Lambert is seeing a campus psychologist in order to “better understand what caused the hair-pulling incident.”

Most clear in the evolution of this situation are the vastly differing notions of acceptable gendered performances in sport. Would violent play in a men’s match earn the player massive criticism? Would he be violently threatened? Would assumptions about his sexuality be made? Would he feel pressure to visit a psychologist in order to restore his credibility? I don’t think so, but I'd have to ask Zinedine Zidane to be sure.

Women's soccer finally getting coverage... thanks to hair-pulling

The last time women’s soccer gained this much national exposure, American Brandi Chastain was topless.

The current publicity stems from footage of New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert engaging in what most agree is violent and ejection-worthy play. (See video in previous post).

The footage appeared on newscasts throughout North America, spawned Facebook groups supporting and condemning Lambert and even made an appearance on David Letterman, where a male voiceover attempted to “sexify” the clip.

From a theoretical perspective, some gender experts and soccer connoisseurs claim the only reason the occurrence is receiving widespread media attention is because women are engaged in vicious play, and as such, are breaking assumed gender roles. It is not the violence itself that is drawing publicity; it is the fact that women are participating in the violence, thus defying acceptable notions of femininity.

Bruce Arena, the coach of the LA Galaxy and the former coach of the United States men’s national team, said, “Let’s be fair, there have been worse incidents in games than that. I think we are somewhat sexist in our opinion of sport. I think maybe people are alarmed to see a woman do that, but men do a hell of a lot worse things. Was it good behavior? No, but because it’s coming from a woman, they made it a headline.”

For a good article on the matter, check out Jere Longman’s “For All the Wrong Reasons, Women’s Soccer is Noticed” in today’s New York Times.

The sign of a boring match

Man U vs. Chelsea; 1-0 late in the game. What might any fan be naturally inclined to do in this situation? Brush his teeth, of course. I can't even begin to rationalize this one.

My high school games did not resemble this

A state championship high school soccer game in Providence, Rhode Island turned into a full-out brawl beginning on the pitch and spreading into the stands. The coach sounds as if she's rationalizing the entire affair and the ref clearly has no idea what to do. As for the culprits, maybe they were just trying to earn full rides to New Mexico. (See previous post).

Where was the red card?

Women's varsity soccer match: BYU vs. New Mexico. How this brute wasn't shown a red is beyond me. Knowingly fouling at the top of the box to prevent a dangerous shot- absolutely warranted. Punching an opponent in the back- a little less understandable. Pulling someone to the ground by her ponytail- are you kidding me?! The only rational explanation for this behaviour is that the offender was in desperate search of some air time on ESPN. Either that or her wrestling skills trump her soccer playing ability.

Flames Cause Stampede of Protest in Calgary

Let’s add some anger to the hysteria, shall we?

As scores of Canadians are already frustrated by an H1N1 vaccine roll-out that that is marked by long wait times and dreadful communication, the Calgary Herald reported today that the Calgary Flames “arranged for their players to receive flu shots away from the crowds” last Friday. And not just the players, but their families too.

And the blame game begins. The team has stated that they were acting on an NHL directive that suggested that the players get inoculated. They also say they consulted with a representative from Alberta Health Services and followed appropriate protocol. A spokesperson for the province's health services department says they’re investing the incident but acknowledges that if it did occur, “it was a mistake, and shouldn’t have happened.”

Initial public reaction is one of anger, and I can’t help but agree. Prioritizing professional athletes over the rest of us is irresponsible and if in fact Alberta Health Services sanctioned the private vaccinations, they should be ashamed.

Calgary Flames President and CEO Ken King says his team is a “high-risk group [due in large part to their] substantial physical contact, extreme exertion, cross-border domestic travel… and it was simply determined that they needed and should have [the vaccine].”

Despite the fact that King has publicly stated that he doesn’t categorize his players in the same priority group as pregnant women and young children, the damage is done. Team management, and perhaps Alberta Health Services officials, decided that the Calgary Flames were worthy of receiving a vaccine that the majority of the public has to wait to get- purely because of their athletic ability. That behaviour cannot be tolerated in a country that prides itself on universal healthcare.

Amidst all of the angry responses, I did find one online posting in support of the decision. It read, “Now [the Flames] can’t blame losing on having the flu.”

NY Times- The Obamas' Marriage

"[The image of a flawless relationship is] the last thing that we want to project. It’s unfair to the institution of marriage, and it’s unfair for young people who are trying to build something, to project this perfection that doesn’t exist.”

-Michelle Obama

If you have some time to read and are interested in an honest, well-written and thoughtful piece on marriage, check out Jodi Kantor's article "The Obamas' Marriage" in the New York Times.