Professionalism is dying

It appears that the lines defining a professional athlete continue to be blurred. Several bizarre developments over the past year have convinced many that being a professional has become mangled beyond recognition. Does it simply mean being paid to play a sport? Or is it much more than that? Let us investigate.

Jake Paul has made an industry of beating up, retired athletes for sport. His events have become the world‘s largest train wrecks, which people cannot resist watching. There are no more weight categories, no more health considerations, no qualifications. Just a young man beating up older guys inside the ring. And he has to win. About the only thing that makes them professional is that they are paid once in a lifetime amounts, for which they literally risk their lives, almost as in a public execution.

We understand exhibition games involving retired athletes who are not in combat sports. Most are fundraising events for schools and various charities. Though the athletes are well beyond their years, they don’t push themselves to the brink of death. And it’s all in good fun, allowing fans a glimpse into the past they once enjoyed.

Next, we have the phenomenon of a pro athlete with a public record of assaulting rivals on the basketball court attempting murder, and still being given consideration. If the Games and Amusements Board had not intervened, would it have taken incarceration or actually killing someone for him to be stopped from being a pro? That’s a scary thought.

In the Philippines, the definition of professionalism has become very hazy. We’ve seen bloggers, social media personalities, and even straight up media personalities, engage in MMA fights and unsanctioned boxing matches. Somebody’s bound to get seriously hurt. The GAB has its work cut out for it. No longer are they mere observers with oversight powers. The day may soon come when they will have to intervene directly to save someone from themselves.

Lastly, the proliferation of pro basketball leagues has opened the door to a new, disturbing trend. Professional athletes are, in theory, those who train continuously for years, just waiting for the chance to be able to play at that particular level. A great many prepare, but never receive the opportunity. There are also those who discover their passion for the sport later in life, as business, family or health take precedence when they are younger. Nowadays, however, it has become fashionable for people who have money, social media fame, or leisure players who otherwise have some influence to be included in professional teams. We appreciate those who train hard, take it seriously, and succeed. For the rest, there are no qualifications or history of preparation. It appears democratic on one hand, but it has completely abandoned established physical and ethical standards on the other. It is a publicity stunt, an insult to professional athletes everywhere for these frauds to be considered on the same plane.

Knowing the Philippines, this trend will continue for a while, as teams independently flex the right to put anyone they want on the roster. As usual, it will take some extreme circumstance like a grave injury or even death for this practice to stop. Heaven help us.