Examining the Bertuzzi-Moore NHL ice hockey incident: Crossing the line between sanctioned and unsanctioned violence in sport [An article from: Aggression and Violent Behavior]

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Description:
This paper examines sanctioned and unsanctioned aggression and violence in sport. It focuses on a recent notorious violent incident in a National Hockey League (NHL) game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche. The incident involved Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi and Colorado's Steve Moore. Bertuzzi was the aggressor, and Moore suffered a fracture to the C3 and C4 vertebrae at the base of his neck, a concussion, and various cuts to his face. Bertuzzi was suspended, fined, and faced a criminal trial and possible jail sentence. The Bertuzzi-Moore incident is examined in detail and attempts to clarify why, even in a sport where ''fist-fighting'' is considered to be part of the game by players, coaches, and officials, this particular act crossed the line between sanctioned and unsanctioned violence in sport. It will also address various aspects of the incident, including legal aspects and speculate as to the why Bertuzzi, an athlete known for his highly competitive physical approach to the game, would, apparently ''out of character'', commit an unsanctioned violent act. Reversal theory, an innovative general theory in psychology is used to explain the motivation behind such sudden violent behavior. Possibilities for eliminating unsanctioned violence from ice hockey are considered.