Presumably, it was Vince Lombardi who said, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” I am not denying the importance of winning. No NFL coach with a 3-14 record is going to hold onto his job for too long, but as times have changed, the requirements have moved beyond “just winning.”
Vince Lombardi lived in a different time. We can be nostalgic, teary-eyed and long for the good old days, but as a sports ethics speaker and ethics consultant, I can also bring up numerous examples of racism, anti-Semitism, sexual abuse, homophobia, alcohol and drug abuse, gambling and violence associated with those good old days. Lombardi, Halas, all of them, overlooked what no one wanted to see.
Winning is not the only thing. In 2022, ethics is far more important. In the end, no one will remember the season’s record of the Houston Astros, but they will remember a cheating scandal.
The NHL in 2022
The NHL has unveiled their “Respect Hockey” initiative. It took them long enough but at least they are trying. The impetus for the initiative goes back to 2010. I will summarize the origins by quoting a USA Today sports piece by Mary Clarke from November 3, 2021:
“Back in May 2021, Brad Aldrich, former video coach of the Chicago Blackhawks during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2010, was accused of sexual assault by two unnamed players on the team. In the months since the original report, which sparked a major investigation, there have been a lot moving pieces around this story as it continues to unfold.”
The essence of that scandal is that the players who complained were mocked by the team and management, ignored and disbelieved. It took a major investigation to verify that the players were correct. Indeed Aldrich, a man with a record of sexual abuse, was a predator.
In an article by ESPN writer Greg Wyshynski (December 9, 2021):
“NHL commissioner Gary Bettman opened his news conference on Thursday by acknowledging the Blackhawks investigation, calling it ‘unacceptable, both in what happened and the way it was handled.’ He said the NHL was ‘sorry that it happened.’”
I am glad that Bettman was sorry. I would also like to add, “So what?” For a sport I truly love, has had numerous incidents of racism, abuse and on and off-the-rink violence. Where has the outcry been besides tepid apologies? Where has the push toward inclusivity been?
Supposedly, the “Respect Hockey,” program will feature a digital training program of about 90-minutes. It will be geared to hockey executives, coaches, players and training staff. The video is being prepared by a former player who initiated a “Respect Hockey” program. If you are underwhelmed, I can’t blame you.
Being Realistic?
The ESPN article quotes Kim Davis, the NHL senior executive VP of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs:
“The most important part of this is being realistic about the efforts that are necessary to make the change, and to ensure that those efforts aren’t performative. We can’t go back, but what can we do to go forward, to ensure that these kinds of things don’t happen.”
Also included in the pool of actions are an “abuse hotline,” a hockey “culture center,” employee mental health assistance and a domestic abuse initiative. There are plans to extend the program to non-affiliated NHL leagues and an annual hockey conference. There is also a partnership planned with a “diversity solutions company.”
The league understands the need to institute all of these changes because, let’s face it, the NHL also needs to expand its audience and revenues.
What is not being realistic, what is not being addressed, is ethical behavior and the ethical imperative to change the culture. Who is taught choices and consequences? Does the NHL honestly believe that a one-time, 90-minute program is going to bring about the changes they desire? Does the NHL believe anyone will call an abuse hotline or seriously address other initiatives?
I will agree that what Kim Davis wants to do is better than nothing, but being realistic, in my humble opinion, means to set ethical expectations far beyond the ice. In my view, ethics training means up close and personal training with regular follow-up and access to everyone in an organization. Not for a minute do I believe that the Blackhawks were/are the only team with problems.
Yes, I know about sports culture. I am aware that winning is important. However, this is 2022 and not the early 1960s when Lombardi was in his heyday. Poor ethics will bring an entire organization down no matter their record. Ethical training, not a 90-minute video, can help prevent that downfall.
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