Rapid Response to Anger Gets Soccer Player Suspended

by Ben Arntz

This week, Major League Soccer officials suspended and fined Clint Mathis, of the Colorado Rapids, for “violent conduct” during last weekend’s game. Mathis was shown a red card in the sixty-fifth minute of the match for an elbow to the head of New England’s Avery John.

The elbow occurred just seconds after a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge from John sent Mathis to the ground. Mathis sprang to his feet and chased after John. As Mathis caught up, John passed the ball, and Mathis elbowed him in the jaw. It was unnecessary, malicious, retaliatory, and entirely appalling.

Although sports have long been an arena for acts of instant and violent retribution, such actions are harmful to the offender, his team, and the league. In this case, Mathis was suspended for two games and fined $1000. His team is in a close race for the playoffs, and his absence on the field could (arguably) diminish the Rapids’ chances of seeing the post-season. It’s a sore jaw for Avery John and a black eye for the league.

The fact remains that athletic contests are a veritable breeding ground for violent conduct. Thus, it is imperative that players and coaches proactively educate themselves in less destructive ways to respond to the feelings of anger that arise instantaneously on the field. Outbursts, such as Mathis’, are too costly for the player and the team.

The Anderson & Anderson model of anger management teaches skills for recognizing and managing anger and stress. If players can learn to identify the warning signs of anger before they reach their boiling-over points, then perhaps some of these violent events can be prevented.

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