ESPN host Molly Kerim suggested that there is hypocrisy in other sports that combat is generally accepted as part of hockey, but is overlooked and severely punished.
She commented on Wednesday's edition Take it first As the panel discussed the highly anticipated rematch between the US and Canada in Thursday's four-country showdown in Boston. Team USA's first match against the Canadians on Saturday night saw three fights in the first nine seconds.
“It's interesting to me that certain sports, you're allowed to compete,” Kerim said. “And other sports, it never could have happened. Optical! … just a bit of hypocrisy.”
It is unknown that Qerim means “optical system!” Hockey allows combat. Once both participants drop their gloves, the judge will not try to split it. Other sports police police police police each other in different ways. In the NFL, players are very heavy and armored, so serious battles don't occur.
Basketball players are not protected, but contact in sports is rarely serious enough to lead to fisticuffs unless there is a fundamental personal issue between the players.
Similarly, baseball does not provide protection. However, apart from the odd plays at the plate, there is even less physical contact between baseball players than basketball. Another reason baseball battles are rare is that no one wants to hit a fastball.
Qerim needs to explain in detail what these comments mean to her. But most US sports commentators know little about hockey and its history, and that's probably the best explanation of what she said.
