Athletes and Slavery

Adrian Peterson claimed that his situation as a football player is somehow similar to slavery. There is a stereotype that football players are dumb jocks who don't go to class. Peterson does nothing to disprove that stereotype.

I just wish Peterson had attended a history class during his time at Oklahoma. He would've learned so much. It would've allowed him to put the current NFL lockout into perspective, something that he clearly lacks.

One major difference between slavery and playing in the NFL is money. Slaves were not wage earners. NFL stars such as Peterson are paid millions of dollars. Another major difference is freedom of choice. It's true that a football player cannot choose which team he wants to play for. Well, unless he's a free agent. Or he can ask for a trade or hold out if he doesn't like his current situation or contract. A contract, by the way, which he signed of his own free will. But, if the player doesn't like his NFL contract, he can go to a different league. He also has the freedom to choose a new profession.

Slaves didn't have any of these choices. Their families could be torn apart at the slave owner's whim. Slaves were beaten if they didn't work to the overseer's liking. Female slaves were raped and there was no legal course they could take. Any slave could be killed without repercussion to the murderer. Slaves were not viewed as human. Football players fundamentally are.

Orlando Patterson has argued that slaves suffered a social death. They were not members of society. Football players are not only members of scoeity, they are honored members. They are celebrities with all the benefits attached. Slaves weren't afford a rub down by the team doctor after a tough day of work. They weren't given water to stay hydrated.

Though it won't replace attending a history class, I hope this short post has in some way educated Adrian Peterson and any other dumb professional athlete who thinks his situation in anyway resembles slavery.